Aid in Dying Laws in the United States
The Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act authorizes Medical Aid in Dying in New Mexico
Time-tested
With almost 25 years of evidence from Oregon alone and another 20 years of combined evidence in the other authorized jurisdictions, this option is now a trusted and time-tested medical practice. The fundamental core safeguards embedded in medical aid-in-dying laws ensure that all terminally ill individuals pursuing the option are protected from coercion and abuse. In all the combined years of experience, not a single case of abuse or coercion nor any criminal or disciplinary charges have been filed. Not one.
Improved care
Years of advocacy
There are now eleven (11) jurisdictions that have authorized the use of medical aid in dying, including:
- Oregon
- Washington
- Montana
- Vermont
- California
- Colorado
- Washington D.C.
- Hawai’i
- New Jersey
- Maine, and now,
- New Mexico
Since the first Oregon law was passed by ballot initiative in 1994 and actually went into effect in the fall of 1997, we’ve learned a lot. Both from Oregon and the experiences of the other authorized states, which now constitute more than 40 years of combined experience.
With the authorization of medical aid in dying in New Mexico, more than 22% of the U.S. population now have access to this compassionate option.
Passing the New Mexico Legislation
Sponsor Sen. Liz Stefanics;
Legislation died in committee
Sponsors: Sen. Liz Stefanics, Rep. Debbie Armstrong, Rep. Bill McCamley;
Legislation died by a vote of 20-22 on the Senate floor
Sponsors: Rep. Debbie Armstrong, Sen. Liz Stefanics;
Legislation died in committee.
Photo of Judge Elizabeth Whitefield, shown left.
Sponsors: Rep. Debbie Armstrong, Sen. Liz Stefanics, Rep. Day Hochman-Vigil; Rep. Patrica Roybal Caballero, Sen. Bill O’Neill, Sen. Carrie Hamblen
- Legislation Passed the House Health and Human Services Committee on Jan. 29, 2021 by a vote of 7-4.
- Passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 13, 2021 by a vote of 7-3
- Passed the NM House of Representatives floor on Feb. 19 2021 by a vote of 39- 27
- Passed the Senate Health & Public Affairs Committee on March 1, 2021 by a vote of 5-3
- Passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 14, 2021 by a vote of 5-3
- Passed on the NM Senate floor on March 15, 2021 by a vote of 24-17
- Concurred by the NM House of Representatives on March 16, 2021 by a vote of 46 – 20.
- Signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 8, 2021.
- Officially went into effect on June 18, 2021.