Statement from Compassion & Choices Action Network Minnesota regarding today’s House committee vote in favor of the End-of-Life Options Act

Jan 29, 2024

Today, the Minnesota House of Representatives Health Finance and Policy Committee voted in favor of House File 1930, the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act. This is the first time this legislation has been voted on at the Minnesota legislature following nearly a decade of work by advocates.

The following is a statement from Rebecca Thoman, M.D., Director of Compassion & Choices Action Network Minnesota:

“This vote represents a historic step forward for our state. The End-of-Life Options Act respects the autonomy and personal decisions of adults facing terminal illnesses, while including robust safeguards to ensure that the process is transparent, voluntary, and medically sound.

“By giving Minnesotans the right to make informed decisions about their own lives, this bill provides the end-of-life care option of medical aid in dying to peacefully end unbearable suffering. Nearly 30 years ago, Oregon became the first state to allow this practice and since then there has been no evidence of misuse. Today 10 states and Washington, DC provide this option and we are hopeful Minnesota will join them this year.

“We encourage every Minnesotan to reach out to their lawmakers to encourage them to support passage of the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act during the 2024 session. Terminally ill Minnesotans and their family members don’t have the luxury of waiting for another decade of debate.”  

HF 1930 will now go to the House floor for referral to the next committee.