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NM End-of-Life Options Act for Individuals and Families

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New Mexico Dept. of Health

The New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) has a page on their agency website about the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act.  This EOLO Act specifically requires the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) to develop, distribute, and collect a Medical Aid in Dying Reporting Form to be completed by clinicians for each patient that receives a MAID prescription.  The data elements to be collected are specified in the law.  The NMDOH is also required to summarize the report forms and publish an Annual Report that is to be made available to the public. 

Here is a link to the NMDOH webpage which briefly explains the Act, reviews provider responsibilities for reporting including the reporting form, provides links to helpful website, and will eventually include the Annual Report.

Compassion & Choices

You can also learn more about accessing the law and find out about other end-of-life choices on our national partner – Compassion & Choices – New Mexico webpage.  You can find tools, resources and information specific to the New Mexico law and that cover a wide range of topics designed to empower and support you in determining your end of life options.

Client Support

If you would like assistance with accessing and using the End-of-Life Options Act or would like to know more about medical aid in dying, our new nonprofit organization End of Life Options New Mexico has a group of well-informed volunteers that will work one-on-one with you by answering your questions or referring you to appropriate resources.

Documents

Key Principles

  • A qualified individual must sign a witnessed request form that is explicit about understanding and requesting medical aid in dying.
  • The prognosis must be confirmed by a consulting provider, if the patient is not enrolled in hospice.
  • If indicated, a mental health professional consultation is required to assess and affirm mental competency and the ability to make an informed healthcare decision before medications can be prescribed.
  • The Act creates a “right to know” responsibility for clinicians to discuss all medically appropriate end-of-life options with their patients who have life threatening conditions.
  • The Act grants immunity from criminal liability and from professional discipline for all involved as long as they provide reasonable care and in good faith in compliance with the EWEOLO Act.
  • No health care provider is required to participate in provision of medical aid in dying as long as referral information is provided to a requesting individual and medical records are forwarded. Clinicians with a conscientious or religious objection are exempted from this requirement.
  • The existing New Mexico statute prohibiting assisting suicide is amended to create a clear exception for all those who are participating in medical aid in dying, pursuant to the EWEOLO Act.

Call our warmline dispatcher!

Our dispatcher Viki Teahan will respond to your inquiry and direct you to a client support volunteer to answer your questions and direct you to the support you are seeking. Messages left after business hours will be responded to as quickly as we can. Let us know how we can help.

Learn about Frequently Asked Questions for Families