***************************

According a recent Gallup Polls (April 2005 and June 2005) nearly 80% of adults nationwide would not want to exist in a persistent vegetative state, nearly 75% support assisted dying for people who are terminally ill when a disease or condition incurable or causes several pain.

But ONLY 40% HAVE A LIVING WILL.

Do you have one?

To Print Copy of Your Living Will / Advance Directives

follow the above link.

VICTORY IN WASHINGTON - DESTINATION DIGNITY

On March 4, 2009, aid in dying will be legal in Washington state.  After three years of hard work by Compassion & Choices and coalition members, we are celebrating this resounding victory.  Washingtonians overwhelmingly supported the Death with Dignity measure by 59 percent to 41 percent.  Dignity prevailed over dogma despite the opposition's fierce advertising campaign, largely funded by the Catholic Church.

ANOTHER VICTORY IN MONTANA -COURT DENIES STAY OF DECISION IN FAVOR OF TERMINALLY ILL PATIENTS' RIGHT TO DEATH WITH DIGNITY

On January 7, 2009, Montana’s First Judicial Court today denied the State of Montana’s request for a stay of the court’s December decision in favor of terminal Montana patients’ right to a dignified death. The court found that patients' right to aid in dying is protected by the Montana Constitution's guarantees of privacy and dignity. The court decision allows terminal patients to obtain from their physician medications they could self-administer to bring about a peaceful death, if suffering becomes intolerable.

The court decision allows terminal patients to obtain from their physician medications they could self-administer to bring about a peaceful death, if suffering becomes intolerable.
 

Currently in Congress

Compassion & Choices Calls for Repeal of Bush Administration Move to Undercut End-of-Life Care and Choice

Compassion & Choices calls on Obama Administration to repeal last-minute regulations allowing denial of medical services based on health care worker religious beliefs.  The regulation would exaggerate an already significant problem by empowering Health Care Professionals, including those at the bedside, who have personal moral or religious beliefs opposing aggressive pain care, regardless of professional norms or the patient’s requests.

Many issues come before Congress that affect choice at the end of life. We are also at work in Washington, D.C. to defend your right to a peaceful death. Federal issues affecting end-of-life choice include:

1. Legislation permitting federal intervention in private health care decisions

2. Legislation to allow Drug Enforcement Administration interference in aid-in-dying laws

3. Medicaid coverage for end-of-life care

4. Rules and legislation affecting judicial nominations

Financial Support

Financial support for direct lobbying efforts comes from non-deductible donations to Compassion & Choices Action Network (a 501(c)(4) organization).

Make a donation to Compassion & Choices Action Network