Approximately 72 million Americans in ten states have the right to medical aid in dying if they become terminally ill.
Our mission: A medical aid in dying law to establish compassionate end-of-life options for terminally ill Arizonans who so wish.
Latest News
UPDATE: Our bills did not get agendized for this year’s Health committees but we succeeded in getting considerably more attention than last year, which puts us in a better position for next year. We won’t give up until we achieve Medical Aid in Dying in Arizona!
Read our LATEST NEWSLETTER (March 1)
Also see RECENT ISSUES, or SUBSCRIBE
About Arizona End-of-Life Options
An Arizona Medical Aid in Dying Law
Arizona End-of-Life Options is a grassroots volunteer coalition, organized to gain passage of a state medical aid in dying law making it possible for terminally ill Arizona residents to legally obtain medications that eliminate undue and prolonged suffering at the end of life.
The proposed legislation is modeled after time-tested laws already in effect in Oregon, Washington, California, Colorado, New Mexico, New Jersey, Vermont, Maine, Hawaii, and the District of Columbia (Montana also has it by court decision).
As is true in all these states, utilizing this end of life option will be straightforward and easy to understand. Yet it will include many legal, medical and ethical safeguards to prevent abuse or misuse. These safeguards have been proven effective for over two decades since the first such law took effect in Oregon in 1997.
A Majority of Arizonans Support a Medical Aid in Dying Law!
General (2022)
60% in favor, 13% oppose
Seniors (2022)
64% in favor, 14% oppose
Doctors (2018)
53% in favor, 27% oppose
Personal stories from Arizonans illustrate why we need a medical aid in dying law.
This booklet is available as follows:
- Online viewer (free)
- PDF (free)
- Print edition (at cost)
Medical Aid in Dying: A Guide for Patients and Supporters. Booklet by the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying. Although written primarily for those who have access to medical aid in dying (which excludes Arizona), there is much valuable information and insight into the subject here.
This booklet is available as follows:
- PDF (free)
- Print or Kindle editions (at cost)
It’s a Matter of Fundamental Human Rights
This is not a liberal or conservative issue — it is a human rights issue! Unfortunately, the primary opposition (which has vastly greater funds than we do) wants to impose its beliefs on all of us. That is not compatible with the fundamental principles of liberty upon which this country is founded.
We are the opposite. Medical aid in dying laws do not require anyone, whether patient or health care provider, to participate. Such laws support individual freedom and self-determination.
In the words of the Federal Ninth Circuit (which includes Arizona) in Compassion in Dying v. Washington, 1996:
“Those who believe strongly that death must come without physician assistance should be free to follow that creed, whether they be doctors or patients. But they should not be free to force their views, their religious convictions, or their philosophies on all other members of a democratic society, nor should they be free to compel those whose values differ from theirs to die painful, protracted, and agonizing deaths.” — Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Our Partners
Everyone at Arizona End-of-Life Options is a volunteer (meet our leaders or volunteer yourself!). Arizona End-of-Life Options receives support from and works closely with national advocacy organizations, specifically Death with Dignity and Compassion and Choices. We invite you to visit either or both of these two national partners, where all aspects of these laws are outlined in detail on their websites.
