Medical aid in dying, a practice where terminally ill patients can obtain prescriptions to end their lives, is currently legal in thirteen U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This option is available to individuals in states such as Colorado, California, and Oregon, among others, where specific laws govern the process.
State-Specific Laws and Statistics
In California, the Department of Public Health reported that between June 2016 and December 2024, 8,242 individuals received prescriptions, with 5,423 deaths following medication ingestion. Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment noted 580 prescriptions written in 2025, with 261 dispensed by pharmacies.
Oregon, a pioneer with its Death with Dignity Act since 1997, has seen a steady increase in participation. In 2025, 637 people received prescriptions, and 400 deaths were reported after drug ingestion. Vermont’s Department of Health reported that between July 2023 and June 2025, 190 people utilized the process, resulting in 148 deaths.
Legal and Historical Context
The legal landscape for medical aid in dying has evolved over the years. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1997 that state bans on physician-assisted suicide do not violate the Constitution, leaving the decision to individual states. Oregon’s law, passed in 1994, faced initial legal challenges but was upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Other states followed, with Washington passing its Death with Dignity Act in 2008 and Vermont enacting similar legislation in 2013. New Mexico, through court rulings and subsequent legislation, also allows this practice, with the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act signed in 2021.
More recently, Delaware, Illinois, and New York have joined the list of states permitting medical aid in dying, reflecting a growing acceptance of this option for terminally ill patients seeking control over their end-of-life decisions.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
