Appeals court refuses to revisit assisted-suicide ruling

[Nambe]

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)

A federal appeals court is refusing to reconsider its decision to uphold Oregon's assisted-suicide law, rejecting a request from the Bush administration to set aside the only law of its kind in the nation.

The White House wanted the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to throw out its ruling backing the law, which allows doctors to help hasten the death of patients.

But the court ruled last week that a majority of the San Francisco- based court's 25 full-time judges voted against a rehearing. The ruling was made public Monday. ..

Justice Department spokesman Charles Miller said officials have not decided whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. ..

Since 1998, at least 171 people have used the law to end their lives, according to state records. Most suffered from cancer.

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[librechik]

1. good news

let's go get those Bush Bastards!

[LauraK]

2. I've only heard good things here in Oregon.

It's a good thing.