Medical Aid in Dying

10 Reasons Why Medical Aid in Dying is a Reasonable End of Life Option

Medical Aid in Dying is a medical end of life option that benefits patients. It occurs when a terminally ill, mentally competent adult patient, who is likely to die within six months, takes prescribed medicines, which must be self-administered, to end suffering and achieve a peaceful death. It is now legal in 13 states and the District of Columbia, with 1 in 3 adults residing a state where MAID is legal.

1. Medical Aid In Dying is a proven safe and ethical medical practice.

Evidence from states which permit Medical Aid In Dying has unequivocally demonstrated that it works as intended. It has been proven to be a reliable, painless method to shorten death.

2. Medical Aid In Dying is the best end of life option for some patients.

Palliative care and hospice can adequately address most, but not all, suffering at the end of life. For those whose suffering can not be alleviated by palliative care, access to Medical Aid In Dying has made the difference between torment and a merciful, peaceful death. It also allows patients control over the timing of their death, allowing family and loved one to be present if that is what the patient wants.

3. Medical Aid In Dying is not suicide.

The Who die by suicide often suffer from a mental illness. People who complete suicide could continue to live but chose not to. They often die in isolation, often impulsively and violently, and their deaths are tragic. In contrast, Medical Aid In Dying is available only to terminally ill patients who will soon die. It is the result of a carefully thought out process that usually takes at least several weeks. It requires consultation with two physicians who must document their findings that the person is terminally ill and has decision making capacity. A third qualified health care professional must assess that the patient is not suffering from a mental illness that interferes with this capacity. Medical aid in dying almost always includes support of immediate family.

4. In New York, there are strict limits on eligibility for Medical Aid In Dying.

There are numerous other safeguards in addition to those mentioned above, including at least one oral request and one written request witnessed by two adults, neither of whom can benefit from the estate of the person. There is a 5 day waiting period from the time the prescription is written until the patient can ingest the medications, giving the patient time to reconsider if they want to take the medications.

5. There is no evidence of harm to vulnerable populations.

There is no evidence of disproportionate impact on the elderly, people with disabilities, people of color or those without health insurance nor is there any evidence of any coercion or abuse. The Executive Director of Disabilities Rights Oregon stated in 2016 that “DRO has not received a complaint of exploitation or coercion of an individual with disabilities in the use of Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act”.

6. Medical Aid In Dying helps family members cope with loss.

Studies show that family members of those who request Medical Aid In Dying feel better prepared and are more accepting of the death, and that there are no negative effects.

7. In states where it is legal, Medical Aid In Dying is rarely used.

Only about one in three hundred deaths occur in this manner in states where the practice is legal. And about one third of patients who obtain the medications do not take them. However, dying patients are comforted knowing that this option is available.

8. A substantial majority of New Yorkers support Medical Aid In Dying.

Polls consistently show that New Yorkers across the state support Medical Aid In Dying. Polling across all demographics, including political, religious, socioeconomic, age and race, show a consistent majority of support.

9. Most doctors support Medical Aid In Dying.

Physicians in New York support the Medical Aid in Dying Act by more than a 3 to 1 margin, 67% to 19%, according to a recent poll, as does the Medical Society of the State of New York and the New York Academy of Family Physicians.

10. There are no valid arguments as to why mentally competent, terminally ill patients should not have the right to Medical Aid In Dying.

Medical Aid In Dying is a safe, ethical medical practice. Opponents continue to raise fears, concerns and speculations. Years ago, when there was relatively little experience with the practice, this was understandable. However, evidence accumulated in the past two decades demonstrates that there is no real basis for such concerns; the arguments raised in opposition to Medical Aid In Dying have been refuted. Indeed, the open discussions between doctors and patients that are encouraged by such laws have led to a general improvement in end of life care, with more patients seeking and obtaining palliative care and hospice management, regardless of whether they ultimately elect Medical Aid In Dying.