About the New Mexico Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act

How do I Access a Prescription?

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for medical aid in dying under New Mexico’s law, a person must be:

• An adult
• Terminally ill
• Given a prognosis of six months or less to live
• Mentally capable of making their own healthcare decisions

A person must also be:

• A resident of New Mexico
• Acting voluntarily
• Making an informed decision that includes being given information about all other end-of-life options
• Informed that they may choose to obtain the aid-in-dying prescription but not take it
• Capable of self-administering and ingesting the aid-in-dying drug

In addition to the requirements listed above, certain steps must be followed in order for a person to qualify for aid-in-dying medication.

• In most cases, two licensed healthcare providers, one of which must be a physician (MD or DO), must confirm the terminal illness. Individuals are not eligible for medical aid in dying solely because of age or disability.
• Individuals enrolled in hospice are considered terminal based on the standard of care and do not require a second confirmation if the prescribing provider is a physician. If the prescribing provider for an individual enrolled in hospice is an advanced registered nurse practitioner or a physician assistant, they must obtain written confirmation from the hospice physician or another consulting physician of 1) the patient’s mental capability to make end-of-life care decisions and 2) their ability to self-ingest aid-in-dying medication before a prescription can be written.
• If the prescribing provider for an individual not enrolled in hospice is an advanced registered nurse practitioner or physician assistant, they must obtain written confirmation from a consulting physician of 1) the patient’s terminal prognosis, 2) their mental capability to make end-of-life care decisions and 3) their ability to self-ingest medical aid-in-dying medication before a prescription can be written.

It is important for individuals to talk to their healthcare providers early to see whether they are willing to write a prescription. We encourage everyone to begin this conversation now.

Where can I Learn More?

For New Mexico Residents

New Mexico Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying

New Mexico Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying (Español)

New Mexico End of Life Options Act Information for State Residents Factsheet

Ley de Opciones para el Fin de Vida Elizabeth Whitefield: Información Para Residentes de Nuevo México

New Mexico End of Life Options Act Frequently Asked Questions Factsheet

Preguntas Frecuentes: Ley de Opciones para el Fin de Vida Elizabeth Whitefield de Nuevo México

How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider about Medical Aid in Dying

Cómo Platicar Con Su Proveedor de Salud Sobre la Ayuda Médica para Morir en Nuevo México

Letter to Your New Mexico Healthcare Provider

Carta para su Proveedor de Cuidados Médicos

How to Interview a Hospice in New Mexico

Cómo Entrevistar a un Equipo de Cuidados de Hospicio en Nuevo México

A Patient’s Guide to Personal Advocacy

New Mexico Request for Medication to End My Life in a Peaceful Manner Form

New Mexico Solicitud de Medicamento Para Terminar Mi Vida Pacíficamente

Government sponsored website that shows and compares the ratings of hospice agencies – giving you a snapshot of the quality of care of each hospice

For more information on the full range of end-of-life options visit the Compassion & Choices  End of-Life-Information Center.

For Medical Providers

The New Mexico Access Campaign seeks to provide technical assistance to healthcare providers so they can more fully support their patients.

Resources are currently being produced and will be added here as they become available. Check back often.

For Doctors

Clinical Criteria for Physician Aid in Dying and supplementary clinical information: Current best practices as published by the Journal of Palliative Medicine in December 2015.

About Compassion & Choices

Compassion & Choices is the nation’s oldest, largest and most active nonprofit organization committed to improving care and expanding choice for the end of life.

For more information on the full range of end-of-life options visit the Compassion & Choices end-of-life planning page.