The Protecting Access to Medical Aid-In-Dying Act

The new law is in effect as of July 23, 2023.

The Protecting Access to Medical Aid-In-Dying Act makes much-needed adjustments to the original bill. The improved Death with Dignity law is now in effect for anyone seeking medical aid-in-dying (MAID) in the state of Washington:

• Qualified medical providers, which includes Physician Assistants & Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP), are permitted to prescribe medical aid-in-dying medications.
• The new bill reduces the 15-day waiting period between the required two oral requests to seven days. 
• Healthcare systems and hospices will now have to post their aid-in-dying policies. Allows more equitable access for underserved folks, including BIPOC and people in rural areas.
• Reflects modern medical practices.
  

The Original Death with Dignity Act

Faced with a terminal diagnosis, Washingtonians have a right to a full range of options for care at the end-of-life, including medical-aid-in-dying. Medical aid in dying allows terminally ill adults to get a prescription they can take to end their life peacefully; on their terms. The Death with Dignity Act allows terminally ill, mentally capable Washington residents to access medical aid-in-dying and was approved by Washington voters in 2008 and took effect in 2009.