By Chris Haring Minnesota aid-in-dying advocates are hoping that the state’s upcoming legislative session will include approval of the proposed End-of-Life Options Act. A Minnesota woman is hoping her husband’s dying wish might be fulfilled, albeit posthumously: Ellen Kennedy says her late spouse’s final request was that, unlike him, others would have the choice to … 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 segment from Orlando, Florida’s WKMG-TV News 6 provides an in-depth look at end-of-life options in the state and explains medical aid in dying Although recent attempts at aid-in-dying legislation have failed in Florida, right-to-die advocates within the Death with Dignity movement are working to raise awareness of – and educate residents … Continued
By Chris Haring Rabbi Bonnie Koppell explains her support for medical aid in dying and the right to die through personal, professional, and religious experiences According to Rabbi Bonnie Koppell, “one of the most humble privileges is to be at the bedside of folks at the end of life,” offering prayers and solace to patients … Continued
By Chris Haring A Colorado man diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis explains his decision to choose medical aid in dying as a peaceful end-of-life option. When in September 2021, at just 45 years old, Atif Ali was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease), doctors told him he had about … Continued
Please take two minutes right now to tell the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee to vote YES on Death with Dignity!
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
By Chris Haring Hawai’i Gov. Josh Green, a physician, signed a bill that improves the state’s 2019 Our Care, Our Choice Act, easing access to physician-assisted death. In another win for the aid-in-dying movement, Hawai’ian patients with terminal illnesses considering their end-of-life options will encounter fewer barriers to accessing medical aid in dying. On June … Continued
By Chris Haring A shocking murder case involving a Florida man with a terminal illness has preceded a debate over legalizing physician-assisted dying. When the story of an elderly woman who shot and killed her husband in a Daytona Beach hospital bed made national news in January, it was her suspected motive that raised eyebrows: … Continued
By Chris Haring Earlier this year, New York lawmakers reintroduced a medical aid-in-dying bill that would legalize physician-assisted death as an end-of-life option. Many New Yorkers living with terminal illness are hoping that this is the year that the state finally joins ten others, which with Washington, D.C., permit medical aid in dying. As Elise … Continued
By Chris Haring Nevada’s Las Vegas Sun published an editorial in support of SB239, which would legalize physician-assisted dying as an end-of-life option On March 26, the Las Vegas Sun published a guest column from Lynda Brooks-Bracey, an activist living with a terminal illness. The piece, titled ‘Dying mom pleads for medical aid-in-dying law,’ advocated … 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
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 In its 25th year since legalization, a record number of Oregonians choose Death with Dignity and opt for medical aid in dying as part of their end-of-life care In 1994, Oregon became the first state to legalize Death with Dignity, which was implemented in 1997. In the 25 years since, the state … 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 Maryland lawmakers considering the End of Life Option Act at two committee hearings this week are hearing a familiar rallying call from advocates: “my body, my choice.” In an article published this past week, The Washington Post’s Ovetta Wiggins and Erin Cox described how “advocates of aid in dying are reframing their … 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
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
无论您所在的州是否设有尊严死亡法，您都有多种选择加速您的死亡。这些选择在每个州都是合法的。但是，所有选择都不能由您自己决定。相反，他们需要您的医疗团队和亲人配合。 自愿停止饮食（VSED） 自愿停止饮食意味着拒绝摄入所有食物和液体，包括通过饲管喂食的食物和液体，前提是理解这样做会加速死亡。这种选择适合那些认为 VSED 不会延长死亡过程的晚期或寿命有限疾病患者。这个决定的一个优点是您可以随时改变主意并恢复饮食。 美国最高法院已确认完全行为能力人有权拒绝药物治疗，其中包括食物和液体。这是医学界普遍接受的一种选择。 开始之前 您必须为 VSED 做好准备。这不是一件可以或应该在第一次讨论当天就开始行动的事。 过程 即使不吃东西，您也可以活很长时间，但脱水（缺乏液体）可以加速死亡过程。一旦最初的口渴感消退，死于脱水通常不会让人不舒服。死亡可能会在停止饮食后几天内发生，但对于大多数人而言，平均需要大约十天的时间。在极少数情况下，这个过程可能需要数周。具体取决于您的年龄、疾病和营养状况。 刚开始，您的感觉会和开始 VSED 之前一样。第一天可能会感到饥饿和口渴，但这些感觉通常是可以忍受的；使用温和的镇静剂或其他技术（例如口腔拭子、润唇膏和冷水澡）可以缓解不适。 开始这个过程的人通常会表达出终于可以“停止战斗”的平静感。有些人形容有幸福感或舒适的头晕感。脱水引起的镇痛作用可以解释这种反应。脱水后，人们通常会减少使用止痛药、排尿、呕吐的频率，由于充血现象减少，呼吸会变得更轻松。 几天后，您的能量水平下降，警觉性降低，困意上升。 大多数人在第三天开始意识不清，然后变得无法唤醒。 由于脱水是最有可能的死亡原因，所以一旦开始就不要喝任何东西，这一点很重要。即使是小口喝水也可能延长死亡过程。 我们建议停用所有药物，除了那些用于缓解疼痛或其他不适的药物。例如，停用治疗心脏病或糖尿病的药物可能会加快这个过程。 您可以随时改变主意并恢复饮食。 不开始或停止治疗 注：除引用内容外，以下信息均来自 End of Life Washington。 对于部分绝症患者而言，积极治疗可能没有效果，还可能会延长死亡过程，无法提高生活质量。在某些情况下，治疗会增加痛苦，破坏剩余的生活质量，甚至会缩短寿命。 停止治疗可能会让人安详离世，但也可能会造成更多的不适。在停止治疗之前，请咨询您的医生并安排最好的姑息（舒适）护理。 停止治疗可结合临终关怀和姑息治疗，或自愿停止饮食，以缩短死亡过程，减少痛苦。 姑息镇静 姑息镇静提供足够的药物，使绝症患者保持舒适和持续昏迷，从而摆脱他们正在经历的极度疼痛和相关症状。在停止摄入所有营养和水分后，患者通常会在几天内死亡。 为确保足量镇静剂，应对使用姑息镇静的患者进行全天候监测。虽然有时家里可以提供这种密集监测，但熟练的护理或住院临终关怀机构通常也可提供。 虽然姑息镇静是一种道德且合法的临终选择，但它不一定是一种权利。虽然您可以请求姑息镇静，但最终将由医疗服务提供者决定。部分医生和临终关怀机构不愿意批准姑息镇静。如果选择姑息镇静对您非常重要，请在必须使用姑息镇静之前提前与您的临终关怀机构或其他医疗服务提供者讨论。
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
Ya sea que su estado tenga o no un estatuto de muerte con dignidad, tiene un número de opciones disponibles para acelerar su muerte. Estas opciones son legales en cada estado, sin embargo, ninguna se puede usar por sí sola. Por el contrario, requieren trabajar con su equipo de atención médica y seres amados. Parar … Continued
I just signed a petition to help bring death with dignity to my state! Find out more here.
UPDATE: Dr. Henson died in August, 2022. She was a committed advocate for Death with Dignity in Massachusetts and raising awareness for ALS. Dr. Heidi Henson is fighting for Death with Dignity in Massachusetts. Until last spring, I was a tall, fit, active 53-year-old woman. I balanced three jobs–head of HR, professor, and owner of … Continued
All over the country, state legislatures are in session and considering new laws to expand access to death with dignity. Here’s a snapshot of the latest activity. Learn more and track the latest news where you live on our State Map.
Note: The listing on this page of any particular work does not constitute our endorsement thereof; these resources are provided strictly for information purposes. This list of peer-reviewed journal articles about physician-assisted dying and related issues is organized by topic: Implementation of Legislation Legal Challenges to Legislation Death with Dignity Laws and End-of-Life Care Palliative … Continued
This page includes information adapted from FAQs by Oregon Department of Human Services, Washington State Department of Health, Vermont Department of Health, and contributions from Dr. Carol Parrot, MD. What is Death with Dignity? Death with Dignity can refer to: Death with Dignity as an End-of-Life Option What is death with dignity as an end-of-life … Continued
Whether or not your state has a death with dignity statute, you have a number of options available to hasten your death. These options are legal in every state. However, none can be used on your own. Rather, they require working with your healthcare team and loved ones. Voluntarily Stopping Eating and Drinking (VSED) To … Continued
Testifying at a public hearing is one of the most effective ways to engage with an important legislative action in your state. Submitting testimony is a path to engaging lawmakers who depend on your input for policy decision making. Legislation is decided by those who show up. Unknown Without a public voice, laws that we … Continued
Last year Elaine Fong’s mother used the Washington Death with Dignity Act. Elaine shared the experience of helping her mother fulfill her end-of-life wishes in a TEDx San Francisco presentation in October 2017. Elaine told us, “Our family is grateful to have given our mom a peaceful death and to fulfill her end of life … Continued
I’m writing to you this morning from Santa Fe, where I have come to celebrate my daughter, Brittany Maynard, on the sixth anniversary of her death. My husband and I just touched down after a sunrise hot air balloon flight: a tribute to a ride Brittany and I took when she was in middle school. Recreating moments like this … Continued
This week, we reflect on two significant anniversaries in the death with dignity movement. It has been four years since California’s End of Life Option Act took effect, and a year since Governor Janet Mills signed the Maine Death with Dignity Act into law. Both assisted dying statutes were results of multi-decade campaigns and personal stories. California End of … Continued
On February 6, Death with Dignity National Center Executive Director Peg Sandeen delivered the “State of the Death with Dignity Movement” address. Below is a video of the webcast as well as a written summary of her remarks. Three States in 15 Months We live in an unprecedented time for assisted dying. The death with … Continued
This has been a year full of milestones. For the first time, two states—Maine and New Jersey—passed death with dignity laws in a single year, joining seven other states and Washington, D.C. in making medical aid in dying available to patients with terminal illness. Our victory in Maine, many years in the making, could not have happened without … Continued
The Oregon Death with Dignity Act turns 25 today. On November 8, 1994, Oregonians voted to pass the Act, the first of its kind in the world. By voting to enact the nation’s first death with dignity statute, Oregonians demonstrated their belief that terminally ill patients deserved the right to choose how they die. The historic vote … Continued
Today’s palliative care helps most people manage their pain at a tolerable level. Most of us can hope to die without writhing in agony. But what about those terminally ill patients who are not that lucky? My Sister’s Death My family and I had to watch my sister die of starvation when Bulbar ALS slowly … Continued
There are few souls in this world who, by their individual selfless acts, make a significant contribution to millions. A vibrant and courageous 29-year-old woman did exactly that during her life and her death, and in doing so changed the course of the death with dignity movement forever. Today we commemorate the life of Brittany Maynard, … Continued