Oregon's Senate passed House Bill 4135 on Tuesday (17-12) and in the House two weeks ago (35-25). Touted as an update to Oregon's Advance Directive Form, critics say the bill paves the way for healthcare givers to remove access to food and water for vulnerable Oregonians with illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer's.

Oregon Right to Life (ORTL) Executive Director Lois Anderson says the effect of the bill is that "vulnerable Oregonians are left without protections and their right to basic care like food and water."

"The advance directive was put into Oregon statute back in 1993," State Rep. Bill Kennemer (R) explained, adding that it was "very well vetted" and "thoroughly discussed."

"If it were to be removed from statute, I fear the legal protections we carefully placed there could be jeopardized, potentially harming end of life decisions for vulnerable patients," he added.

Under the old advanced directive, caretakers may not decide to starve a mentally impaired patient to death unless that caretaker has been given decision-making authority by the patient before becoming mentally impaired (with four rare exceptions).

HB-4135 reverses that provision, allowing a mentally impaired patient to be starved to death—even against his or her will—unless the patient has made a contrary advanced directive.

"If signed into law, HB-4135 would endanger Oregonians with dementia and Alzheimer's, allowing their healthcare representatives to remove their access to food and water," the ORTL website explains.

"Over the last 25 years, Oregonians at the end-of-life stage have been protected by the current advance directive. Removing it from statute has legal consequences."

"It's disappointing that House Democrats passed a bill that has obvious and significant problems," Anderson added.

"What limited testimony was allowed in the House Health Care Committee hearing revealed the process has been rushed and will lead to unintended consequences that endanger vulnerable Oregonians"...

Continue reading here.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Breitbart's AMERICAN SOUNDTRACK: Firebrand Mary Kutter's Poignant Birthday Tribute; 'Through All the Hell and Glory Days You Stand Here With Amazing Grace'

America's Semiquincentennial Begins: Trump Launches Massive National Mall Expo

Woman Removed from Detroit Tigers Game for Wearing 'Jesus Over Pride' Shirt

Netherlands Does the Unthinkable: Euthanize a Young Child

European Country Moves to Ban Islamic Call to Prayer (Video)

Charlie Kirk Judge Denies Tyler Robinson's Attempt to Have Potential Death Penalty Removed

The Reflecting Pool Vandalism Trump Wasn't Supposed to Be Right About

'I Think It Was God': Ex-Mets Pitcher Jenrry Mejia Narrowly Escapes Death as Venezuela Earthquake Strikes Hotel

Venezuelans Comb Quake Rubble in Search for Survivors: 'There Are Still People Alive in There'

The Undercroft: The New Museum Located Underneath the Lincoln Memorial Opens in Time for America's 250th Birthday (Video)

Samaritan's Purse Sending Help to Venezuela after Devastating Earthquakes

Postmaster General Tells Congress USPS Will NOT DELIVER Mail-In Ballots to States That Refuse to Comply with President Trump's Election Integrity Executive Order

US Forces Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Airstrike: CENTCOM

Senate GOP Reverses Course, Rejecting War Powers Resolution after Trump Meeting

Here's What Trump Demanded from Republican Senators Behind Closed Doors

Obama Judge Permanently Blocks Trump's Proof of Citizenship Requirement to Vote; Appeal Coming

SCOTUS Decides How Far States May Regulate Concealed Carry in Public

Supreme Court Rules on Endless 'Temporary Protected Status' for Aliens

Strongest Earthquakes in More Than a Century Hit Venezuela, Causing Widespread Damage, Injuries and Death; Trump Says US Ready to Help

Texas Judge Wins Big After Faith-Based Stand on Marriage, Awarded $640K