Faced with a terminal diagnosis, District residents deserve the full range of options for care at the end of life, including medical aid in dying. Medical aid in dying allows terminally ill adults to get a prescription they can take to end their life peacefully.

The Washington, D.C., Death With Dignity Act went into effect on June 6, 2017, authorizing the compassionate option of medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults to get a prescription they can take to end their life peacefully. Through our access campaign, Compassion & Choices continues to educate health care providers and residents of Washington, D.C., about medical aid in dying and the full breadth of end-of-life options.

Diane Rehm seated in front of photos
We created a series of PSAs with Diane Rehm and Dr. Omega Silva to explain D.C.'s medical aid-in-dying law.

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Take Action

Compassion & Choices continues to work to expand access to medical aid in dying under the DC Death with Dignity Act. Our Medical Provider Advocates Team, a group of active and retired medical professionals, donate their time to help educate others about medical aid in dying. They give presentations to professional organizations, physician groups and medical societies; and meet individually with doctors, nurses, social workers, hospital administrators and more. Through the work of this team and our staff, we continue to add supportive providers and facilities to our Find Care Tool.

  • Attend an Event: Participate in virtual activities related to medical aid in dying and advance care planning.
  • Volunteer With Us: Join other passionate and dedicated individuals to work to re-enact legislation that improves care and expands end-of-life choice.
  • Email us to request a presentation in your own community.

Education and Outreach

The bilingual Access Campaign:

  • Helps patients, caregivers and health professionals understand how the law works. 
  • Assists healthcare facilities develop more supportive policies.  
  • Provides technical assistance and presentations to healthcare providers on end-of-life options.

Read the History of the D.C. Campaign

Tools and Resources

simple blue medical cross graphic.For Patients Learn whether you are eligible for the D.C. Death with Dignity Act.

 

 

tools for end of life planning and decision making.End-of-Life Planning Use our step-by-step guide to chart your journey or access the D.C. advance directive directly here.

 

 

advance care planning and resources in Spanish, espanol.Recursos en Español Recursos en Español.

 

 

answers to questions about COVID-19, including treatment and end of life.COVID-19 Toolkit Get answers to your questions about COVID-19 and end of life care.

 

 

tools for end of life planning and decision making.Resources for Providers Find resources tailored to the needs of healthcare providers.

 

 

tools for documenting end-of-life for dementia.Dementia Values & Priorities Tool Use our tool to document your preferences to make sure you get the care you want.