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Medical aid in dying

What is medical aid in dying?

Medical aid in dying is an end-of-life healthcare option in which a mentally capable, terminally ill adult may request a prescription from their healthcare provider for a medication they can choose to ingest to die peacefully.

Where is medical aid in dying authorized?

Medical Aid in Dying Authorized
States with Medical Aid-in-Dying Legislation
AL AK AZ AR CA CO CT DE FL GA HI ID IL IN IA KS KY LA ME MD MA MI MN MS MO MT NE NV NH NJ NM NY NC ND OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN TX UT VT VA WA WV WI WY DC AS GU MP PR VI
medical aid in dying eligibility

Who is eligible for medical aid in dying?

To be eligible for medical aid in dying in an authorized jurisdiction, you must be:

  • An adult (aged 18 or older).
  • Terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less to live.
  • Mentally capable of making your own healthcare decisions.
  • Able to self-administer the medication through an affirmative, conscious, voluntary act to ingest it. Self-administration does not include injection or infusion via a vein or any other parenteral route by any person, including the healthcare provider, family member, or patient themselves.

What medical aid in dying is and is not

What medical aid in dying is

Medical aid in dying is an authorized end-of-life healthcare option that centers on patient choice, comfort, and dignity.
  • A terminally ill, mentally capable adult voluntarily requests the medication.
  • A healthcare provider prescribes the medication in accordance with state law.
  • The individual takes the medication.
Medical aid in dying is another end of life option, like hospice, palliative care, and other end-of-life care options. People who pursue this option are informed about all available and appropriate end-of-life options. The majority of terminally ill adults who utilize medical aid in dying are enrolled in hospice or palliative care services at the time of their deaths.

All U.S. medical aid in dying laws require a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less to live. This is a defining feature of medical aid in dying as practiced in the United States.

What medical aid in dying is not

Medical aid in dying is often misunderstood. It is not:
  • Suicide or assisted suicide
  • Euthanasia
  • A medication administered by a healthcare provider or anyone else
  • A decision made by family members, caregivers, or clinicians
  • An option available to anyone without a terminal diagnosis and a prognosis of six months or less to live
Strict safeguards ensure that this end-of-life healthcare option is voluntary, informed, and chosen only by the person who qualifies.

For further information:

Medical aid in dying overview

Medical aid in dying FAQs

View the FAQs

Medical aid in dying FAQs for Clinicians

View the FAQs

Medical aid in dying policy book

View the book

Medical aid in dying explained

Learn more

Your questions about medical aid in dying, answered

View here

The facts about medical aid in dying

See the fact sheet

Medical aid in dying is not suicide

Learn More

For volunteers

Communicating with Legislators & Media Toolkit

Access the toolkit

Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying Toolkit

Access the toolkit

Policy, legal, and advocacy resources

Polling support for medical aid in dying

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Faith communities & leaders support medical aid in dying

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FAQs for faith leaders

View the FAQs

Medical associations and medical aid in dying

Learn more

How to get involved

There is a place for you in this movement and every action matters. Advocates, donors, and champions have all played a role in authorizing medical aid in dying to states across the country. Here is how you can get involved:

Volunteer

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Donate

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Share your story

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Need legal support?

Compassion Legal is your legal partner in navigating the final stages of life. No one should have to fight alone for the care they want, need, and deserve. Our team has helped families access medical aid in dying, resolve advance directive violations, and defend personal healthcare decisions from outside interference.

Get Legal Help
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