Death with Dignity, in collaboration with the Completed Life Initiative and the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying, collected and submitted nearly 10,000 public comments to the DEA in response to the proposed regulations — contributing to an unprecedented level of engagement, over 38,000 comments in total, as acknowledged by DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) and American Medical Association (AMA) celebrated the extension, highlighting the critical role it plays in ensuring accessibility to healthcare for millions of individuals. ATA Senior Vice President Kyle Zebley pointed out that this extension sets the stage for an essential year ahead for telehealth, emphasizing expanding access to care, especially for underserved patient populations.
This decision comes as the DEA contemplates permanent policy changes – which it said in a statement would be finalized “by the fall of 2024,” well ahead of the expiration of the temporary rule.
This extension is a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to ensure better access to necessary medications for relieving the suffering of terminally ill patients. Together, we have made a remarkable impact, and this victory is a testament to the power of our collective advocacy.