More US states are legalizing medical aid in dying
Image: American Psychological Association
Starting this fall, nearly one-third of Americans will live in a state where medical aid in dying, also called “physician-assisted suicide,” is legal for certain patients.
- California's new medical aid in dying (MAID) law is scheduled to take effect in early August, with Illinois set to follow with its own law in September.
- By then, the practice will be allowed in a total of 13 states plus the District of Columbia.
A matter of life and death
MAID allows certain terminally ill adults to request a prescription from a healthcare provider for a lethal medication that will end their lives peacefully. To qualify for physician-assisted suicide, patients have to meet several specific conditions.
They must be:
- Over the age of 18
- Residents of a legal state
- Capable of making their own medical decisions (disqualifying those with dementia)
- Diagnosed with a terminal illness expected to cause death within six months
- Able to ingest the medication without assistance
The process also typically involves oral and written requests to two separate doctors, with mandated waiting periods between requests.
Public opinion remains somewhat divided
A majority of Americans either view physician-assisted death as morally acceptable (34%) or don't consider it a moral issue (29%), while 35% say it’s morally wrong, per a recent Pew Research survey. Supporters argue the practice gives terminally ill patients greater control over their end-of-life care, and reduces unnecessary suffering.
On the flip side: Opponents of MAID include Catholic leaders who’ve long argued that life should be protected from conception until natural death, with Pope Leo XIV personally urging Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to veto the state's bill.
- Some disability rights organizations also oppose expanding access, arguing the laws could create pressure on vulnerable patients.
- Meanwhile, the American Medical Association maintains that "physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician's role as healer" and warns it poses "serious societal risks."
Bottom line: Despite the headlines and heated debate surrounding MAID, the number of Americans who actually use the option remains very small. Such cases account for 1% or less of annual deaths in states where the practice is legal.
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Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that terminally ill patients should have the right to make their own end-of-life decisions, and that medical aid in dying can provide a compassionate option for those facing unbearable suffering while preserving personal autonomy.
- Others contend that legalizing medical aid in dying creates a slippery slope, where policies originally limited to terminally ill patients can gradually expand to include broader groups of people, ultimately weakening society’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and preserving the value of human life.
- “Why I’m supporting medical aid in dying” –NY Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)
- “Is there a right to die? Don’t look to liberals for an answer.” –Shadi Hamid, WaPo
- “Assisted dying: a momentous bill that needs further attention” –The Guardian Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that physician-assisted suicide laws should remain tightly limited because experiences in places like Canada and parts of Europe suggest eligibility often expands over time, raising concerns that vulnerable people could face growing pressure to view assisted death as a solution rather than receiving better care and support.
- Others contend that legalizing assisted suicide sends the wrong message about the value of human life, arguing that weak safeguards and broad eligibility standards can leave vulnerable patients feeling like a burden. They also argue it would shift attention away from improving palliative care, mental health support, and other services designed to help people navigate the end of life with dignity.
- “Physician-assisted suicide expands” –Everett Noakes, InsideSources
- “New York’s Assisted-Suicide Mistake”-WSJ Editorial Board
- “Canada’s euthanasia surge shows the dangers of doctors becoming hit men” –Washington Times Editorial Board
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