PORT ANGELES — Olympic Medical Center physicians and staff can counsel patients within the scope of the Death With Dignity Act, according to a resolution passed by the six commissioners.
It’s a modification — not a reversal — of a March 4 board decision to “opt out” of the voter-approved Initiative 1000 on the eve of it becoming law.
OMC will not prohibit, nor will it require, doctors from counseling patients.
After a spirited public debate that began at the May 20 meeting, the commissioners on Wednesday night voted 5-1 to pass the resolution.
Commissioners Jim Cammack, Arlene Engel, Jim Leskinovitch, John Beitzel and John Nutter approved it.
Commissioner Jean Hordyk was opposed.
Since the March 4 vote to “opt out” of I-1000, the OMC board “has received further input from the medical staff and the public in consideration of end of life issues,” according to the language of the resolution.
Nine of the 15 public speakers Wednesday opposed the Port Angeles-based hospital’s involvement in I-1000. The other six either supported the Death With Dignity Act, or supported an individual’s right to make up his or her own decision.
