(MONEY Magazine) – The 350,000 members of Oregon's Medicaid plan sometimes complain about their lack of access to care. They can't get in to see specialists; even routine lower back pain isn't covered. But another treatment option may soon be available: doctor-assisted suicide.

Oregon is the first state to legalize the "procedure," and officials there have decided to cover it under Medicaid, the government-paid insurance program for the poor. If federal health-care regulators sign off on the state's plan, this summer terminally ill Medicaid recipients who are expected to live less than six months will be able to obtain lethal medication after two consultations with a physician and a 15-day waiting period.

--Karen Cheney