By Chris Haring Two Lower Hudson Valley volunteers share personal anecdotes as a part of their ongoing attempts to bring a Death with Dignity law to their home state. Should a residential address or zip code determine whether or not a person has the autonomy to decide when and how they die? Unlike neighboring aid-in-dying … Continued
Read Dr. Peg Sandeen’s heartwarming Thanksgiving message below and consider making your end-of-year gift alongside her today As a child, Thanksgiving was my favorite holiday. We would alternate years spent with my mom or dad’s family, but regardless, there was always a home full of cousins, aunts, and uncles. My mom’s family hosted Thanksgiving dinners … Continued
By Chris Haring At a recent forum, legislators, right-to-die advocates, and more gathered to discuss a potential Death with Dignity law, its requirements, and implications. The ongoing conversation around medical aid-in-dying legislation in Connecticut took center stage at perhaps the most prestigious university in the state. A November forum hosted by the Yale Interdisciplinary Center … Continued
Portland, Oregon, November 9, 2023 – Death with Dignity is urging the American Medical Association (AMA) to adopt a neutral position on medical aid in dying through two related resolutions in a vote to be held during a November 10-14 meeting in Maryland. “The original position of the AMA opposing Death with Dignity was established … Continued
By Chris Haring Right-to-die advocates in Illinois are hoping that a bill being proposed by the state’s ACLU chapter will expand end-of-life options for its residents. As 2023 begins to wind down and a new legislative season approaches, the aid-in-dying movement is taking a moment to celebrate the efforts of a coalition partner who hopes … Continued
By Chris Haring With Millennials and “Gen Z” becoming a greater portion of the voter base, understanding their values is imperative as we consider America’s political future. Talking about death publicly in an honest context can be uncomfortable at best. Understandably, the topic remains deeply sensitive and personal for many folks and can trigger such … Continued
Death with Dignity’s CEO Dr. Peg Sandeen and Board Member Eli Stutsman were featured in a story that appeared in The New York Times on October 24, 2023: How Aid in Dying Became Medical, Not Moral. In the early 1990s, living with AIDS was a challenge riddled with harsh judgments. So when Death with Dignity … Continued
By Chris Haring Right-to-die advocates and coalition partners shared their support for the End of Life Options Act, an assisted-dying bill proposed in 2022. With increasing momentum on our side, the aid-in-dying movement in Massachusetts hopes that a 2024 edition of a medical aid-in-dying bill first introduced into the state legislature approximately a decade and … Continued
By Chris Haring Despite some recent setbacks, right-to-die advocates remain committed to expanding end-of-life options for Connecticut residents through legislation. It’s a familiar inspirational phrase: “If at first you don’t succeed…” Right-to-die advocates in Connecticut have taken this popular perseverance proverb to heart, exemplifying the values of persistence and dedication. Thanks to their efforts, the … Continued
Read Dr. Peg Sandeen’s introduction to our 2022-2023 annual report, and then explore the rest of the report below. Every year, we celebrate our wins, we bemoan our losses, and we get up to fight another round. This year is no different, even though the nature of the fight is changing. In the last year, … Continued
By Chris Haring Julie McFadden, a California hospice nurse, explains what happens when a patient who has chosen Death with Dignity ingests prescribed end-of-life medications. What physically unfolds when an individual facing a terminal diagnosis takes control of their life story’s final chapter by choosing medical aid in dying? A medical professional’s testimony, backed by … Continued
By Chris Haring As Lynda Bluestein, a CT right-to-die advocate, approaches her final months, she has found a unique way to help others grieving the deaths of loved ones. In a world often silent about the realities of death and grief, Lynda Bluestein, a 76-year-old Bridgeport, CT resident diagnosed with terminal cancer, stands as a … Continued
What does a “good death” mean? While the answer is different for everyone, for many, it means having an option that provides power, choice, and peace of mind. Oregon made history in 1994 when voters passed the Oregon Death with Dignity Act with these exact principles in mind. Death with Dignity can refer to: Terminology … Continued
Portland, Oregon, October 11, 2023 – Overwhelmed by nearly 40,000 public comments and two days of expert testimony, the Drug Enforcement Agency announced this week that it would extend the COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled substances through December, 2024. Over 10,000 of those comments came from terminally ill patients, family members, and caregivers, … Continued
By Chris Haring Delawarean Dawn Lentz, who lives with a progressive neurological condition, makes the case for her state to pass HB 140 and legalize medical aid in dying. Delawareans deserve the right to choose their own path, especially at the end of life. A recent op-ed in the (Delaware) Daily State News resonates with … Continued
By Chris Haring In a new book, Marie Bianco explores the link between intersectional feminism and aid in dying through care, accountability, and self-determination. Among the broad scope of intersectional feminism, where personal autonomy and choice are paramount, Death with Dignity can be an overlooked but natural companion. In an excerpt from her thought-provoking exploration, … Continued
Portland, Oregon, September 13, 2023 – Terminally ill patients would needlessly suffer under the proposed DEA rule to limit the use of telemedicine in prescribing pain control medication, according to testimony delivered by Dr. Robin Plumer yesterday, at a DEA-hosted public listening session. Dr. Plumer, a physician specializing in end-of-life care, said the DEA “forgot … Continued
Portland, Oregon, September 7, 2023 – Following successful efforts in Oregon and Vermont this year, patients and physicians from New Jersey and surrounding states have filed a lawsuit seeking repeal of New Jersey’s residency requirement for its Death with Dignity law. The suit, led by Compassion & Choices, alleges that the law unfairly denies out-of-state … Continued
By Chris Haring Hospice nurse Julie McFadden describes medical aid in dying as a component of hospice care and clears up misconceptions about Death with Dignity. In a world where conversations about death often remain taboo, Julie McFadden is on a mission to change perceptions and educate the public about end-of-life options. The California nurse, … Continued
By Chris Haring A lawsuit from right-to-die advocates challenges residency requirements in the NJ Death with Dignity law, aiming to remove barriers for out-of-state patients. In a significant development for the aid-in-dying movement, a recent lawsuit challenges New Jersey’s residency requirement within its Death with Dignity law. Assisted dying in New Jersey has been restricted … Continued
By Chris Haring A Salem, Oregon group offers a safe, lighthearted space for folks to talk openly about topics such as end-of-life options and dying with dignity In a world that often shies away from discussing death, a group of individuals in Salem, Oregon is taking a bold step toward breaking the taboo surrounding this … Continued
By Chris Haring Right-to-die advocates and patients with terminal illnesses oppose a lawsuit filed in April aimed at dismantling California’s End of Life Options Act Matt Fairchild was only in his early 40s when he was diagnosed with cancer. Despite a valiant battle and doctors’ best efforts, an initial melanoma lesion near his ear spread … Continued
Please sign our petition to tell Governor Joe Lombardo to sign SB239 and make Death with Dignity legal in Nevada.
By Chris Haring Pro right-to-die legislators and supporters of physician-assisted death gathered at the Massachusetts State House to rally for expanded end-of-life options Massachusetts proponents of medical aid in dying, including our organization, Death with Dignity, alongside our partners within the End of Life Options Massachusetts Coalition, rallied during a recent gathering at the State … Continued
Ann Keller, from Texas, was one of the first patients to access Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act as a non-resident. She reached out to us days before her death to share her story – to advocate for Death with Dignity access for all terminally ill patients, regardless of location. My grandmother was wheeled out of … Continued
Karen M lives in Oregon, where Death with Dignity has been an option for over 20 years. She continues to advocate for medical aid in dying by sharing her sister’s story, who used the California End of Life Option Act in 2021. Everyone deserves to die as they lived – with the ability to freely … Continued
By Chris Haring Right-to-die activists scored a win when Vermont became the first state to scrap the residency requirement from its medical aid-in-dying law. Right-to-die activists secured a significant win when Vermont became the first state to remove the residency requirement from its medical aid-in-dying law. As Livia Albeck-Ripka wrote for the New York Times, … Continued
New Beacon Research Poll Shows Support From Every Demographic; Legislative Sponsors Optimistic of Passage Just days before she died of pancreatic cancer last year, Dorchester resident Laura Johannes urged Massachusetts to support Death with Dignity so that other dying patients can have the end-of-life option she was denied. Massachusetts citizens agree, with a 73%-16% majority … Continued
Washington legislators have updated its Death with Dignity Act, removing barriers for patients with a terminal illness who choose medical aid in dying. When Washington became the second state to pass a Death with Dignity law in 2008, it was a tremendous victory – and step forward – for those supporting the right for patients … Continued
By Chris Haring Two Nevada moms with terminal diagnoses are supporting the End of Life Options Act, where legislators have long proposed medical aid-in-dying bills. Despite Nevada legislators’ annual attempts to pass a medical aid-in-dying bill for several consecutive years, two Las Vegas mothers diagnosed with terminal illnesses spoke in support of this year’s bill, … Continued
Throughout our lives, we freely make choices and decisions. Some are critical, others are mundane. But, amongst the most important decisions we must consider are those that revolve around healthcare and how we personally define wellbeing. To support and honor the importance of thoughtfully planning for health emergencies or natural decline as we get older, … Continued
By Chris Haring Physician-assisted medical aid in dying offers a legal end-of-life option to patients with terminal illness who want the ability to choose Death with Dignity Currently, physician-assisted death is legal in 10 U.S. states (Maine, New Jersey, Vermont, New Mexico, Montana, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, California, and Hawai’i) and Washington, D.C. However, the need … Continued
By Chris Haring Vermont, where Death with Dignity has been legal for a decade, recently ruled that a Connecticut resident with terminal illness can proceed with physician-assisted dying Lynda Bluestein – a resident of Connecticut with terminal cancer – says she doesn’t want to die as her mother did: in a hospital bed. Since Death … Continued
By Chris Haring The Minnesota House of Representatives and Senate are both discussing bills which would allow some terminally ill patients to request medical aid in dying On Monday, Alec Olas with Minnesota’s KIMT-3 News described how an ‘End of Life Option Act’ is being discussed in both the state’s House of Representatives and Senate, … Continued
By Chris Haring Over 100 people signed up to testify at a late-February public hearing in Connecticut regarding the potential legalization of physician-assisted dying.oulas and volunteers from organizations like End of Life Choices Oregon provide aid for those seeking physician-aid in dying due to terminal illnesses. This past Monday, Siobhan McGirl of NBC Connecticut took … Continued
Volunteers have been the foundation of Death with Dignity for decades. In 1994, Oregon was the first state to pass a Death with Dignity law. It was passed through a ballot initiative, which means dedicated volunteers, like you, worked tirelessly to gather signatures, share their stories, and build awareness about this vital healthcare option. Since … Continued
此页面包含改编自俄勒冈州公共服务部、华盛顿州卫生部、佛蒙特州卫生部的常见问答以及医学博士 Carol Parrot 供稿。 什么是尊严死亡？ 尊严死亡指的是： 尊严死亡的临终选择 什么是尊严死亡的临终选择？ 尊严死亡是一种临终选择，受州法律管辖，允许某些绝症患者自愿、合法地向医生索取处方药，以平静、人道和有尊严的方式加速死亡。 还有哪些其他术语可以用来指代尊严死亡？ 尊严死亡这个术语源自一条俄勒冈州法规标题，该法规对为符合条件的绝症患者开具终止生命药物处方的情况作出了规定；因为我们的创始人是俄勒冈州法律的作者，所以我们选择使用这种说法， 这是我们对这一做法的首选术语。 其他术语包括： 为了误导公众，反对者会使用不正确、不准确的术语指代医师协助离世： 只有应用尊严死亡法律的州才能提供终止生命药物的合法处方。 您必须满足以下条件才符合尊严死亡法规规定： 每个州的资格认证过程可能有所不同。 我如何才能找到可以开具终止生命药物处方的“尊严死亡”医生？ 出于保密和安全原因，我们没有参与协助死亡法律的医疗服务提供者名单。参与这项法律的医疗服务提供者是完全自愿的。 在非信仰医院和大城市找到相关提供者的可能性更大。End of Life Washington 汇编了有关当患者使用相关法案寻求帮助时该州每家医院允许或限制哪些活动的信息。 若要了解您的医生是否愿意参与这项法律，请与他们预约讨论您的临终目标和疑虑，包括应用尊严死亡法律的州所能提供的选择。咨询任何类型的医生：您的临终关怀医生、肿瘤科医生、肺科医生或神经科医生，甚至您的皮肤科医生或精神科医生。如果他们同意，任何获得执行“尊严死亡”许可的医生都可以参与。法律还规定，每位医生都可以选择不参与。 如果您联系的第一位医师同意，请让他们将您转介到另一位医生参与执行，或询问您的其他（或多位）医生能否参与。两位医生都需要证明您符合法律规定的标准。根据这项法律，第一位医生将是您的主治医生。他们将指导您完成法律的所有要求，如果您符合条件，他们将为您开具终生药物处方。第二位认证医生将是顾问医生，他将证明您的情况已符合所有法律标准。 新墨西哥州是第一个根据临终援助法授权高级执业护士（APRN）和医师助理（PA）参与帮助患者决策的州。 我可以在哪里服用这些药物？ 自行选择 您可以自己选择在什么地方服用（自行服用和摄入）药物。大多数人（在俄勒冈州为 92%）选择在家服药；住在老年公寓或疗养院设施中的人也往往倾向于回家服药。 公共场所 临终援助法要求您的提供者建议您不要在公共场所服药。 法律还规定了在公共场所服药的后果，允许产生相关费用的政府实体从您的遗产中收取这些费用。例如，加利福尼亚州的《临终选择法》规定： 443.21.任何因合格个人根据本部分规定在公共场所终止生命而产生费用的政府实体，可向合格个人的遗产提出索赔，以收取这些费用和执行此项索赔有关的合理律师费。 另一个问题是殡仪馆需要能够到达该地区搬运您的遗体；但大多数殡仪馆拒绝在公共场所这么做。 州外 如果您在获得药物的州以外的州服用尊严死亡法规定的药物，您可能会失去相关法律提供的法律保护。例如，根据另一个州的法律，您的死亡可能被裁定为自杀，从而对您的保单产生影响。 我将获得什么样的处方？ 任何临终医疗援助法律都没有明确告诉您的医生应该给您开具什么处方，但这些法律规定的所有药物都需要主治医生开具处方。处方由医生决定。 药物费用是多少？ 具体费用因药物类型和供应情况以及所使用的方案而异（您的医生可能会在开处致死药物之前开处额外的药物，这部分药物会产生额外的费用）。您的医生和药剂师更清楚您的处方。 我什么时候会知道服药的正确时间？ 没有人可以回答这个问题。 有些人认为他们的疾病或疾病引起的疼痛和痛苦已经剥夺了他们认为必不可少的生活质量的时候就是该服药的时候。 如果您认为时间不对，那也没关系；这仅意味着《尊严死亡法》正在按预期运作，因为它赋予了您自行决定时间的自由和权力。有些人（约 30%）不会服药。只要知道他们在需要时有这个选择，就能给他们带来安慰。 未使用的药物会怎样？ 作为管制药物，根据尊严死亡法开处的药物受联邦法规监管。从开具处方之日到被开具处方之人死亡之日，这些药物都会被受到严格的追踪。医生必须向所在州的卫生部门报告所有致死药物处方。同样，药剂师必须报告这些药物的配给情况。 药物只能由被开具处方之人服用。如果药物被他人服用，可能会造成刑事处罚。 根据临终援助法获得药物的人中约有三分之一选择不服药。任何选择不服用开处药物的人或拥有部分未使用药物的人都必须按照联邦缉毒署或所在州法律（如果有）确定的合法途径处理药物。 每个州的法律可能都有关于处理未使用药物的具体说明，因此最好查看您所在州的法律。 由于十分之九使用尊严死亡法的患者在死亡时进入了临终关怀机构，因此临终关怀机构有责任制定政策管理患者死后剩余的药物，包括依法开处的临终援助药物剂量，并教授死者家属如何处理此类药物。 在患者死亡时未进入临终关怀机构的少数情况下，任何未使用的药物都需要由患者死亡时在场的人进行处理。 在俄勒冈州法律生效的 … Continued
Esta página incluye información adaptada de las preguntas más comunes por parte de Departamento de Oregón de Servicios Humanos, Departamento Estatal de Salud de Washington , Departamento de Salud de Vermont, y las contribuciones de la Dra. Carol Parrot. ¿Qué es la muerte con dignidad? La muerte con dignidad puede referirse a: Muerte con dignidad como opción de … Continued
Raven Midnight continues to advocate for Death with Dignity across the country, while sharing details of her positive experience when her mother, Sandra, used aid in dying in Oregon in 2012. My mother’s name was Sandra, but we all called her Mammy, or in her last few weeks, Noni. Sandra was a strong willed, enthusiastic, … Continued