The California team continued to solidify support among diverse communities to improve access to the End of Life Option Act and make the law permanent before it expires in 2031. We participated in more than 30 events, including four Spanish-speaking events and San Diego Pride, and hosted a webinar on faith engagement. The success of our outreach was evident when a new report by the California Department of Health revealed that those choosing medical aid in dying are the most diverse by race and/or ethnicity since the law took effect. We will continue to educate new legislators about the law in 2025.
In September, after months of inaction, outgoing Governor John Carney vetoed HB140, putting his personal beliefs ahead of the 72% of Delaware voters who support the option of medical aid in dying. Despite this blow, Compassion & Choices Action Network is optimistic about the next legislative session. The Delaware team, alongside new bill sponsor Rep. Eric Morrison and Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend, is working hard to regain the momentum we achieved when HB140 passed the General Assembly in 2024. Incoming Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has promised to sign the law if it comes to his desk.
Our Florida team had a productive fall, engaging with communities across the state. At the 15th annual Active Aging Expo, we shared valuable resources in English and Spanish about end-of-life options, including medical aid in dying, with the LGBTQ+ aging community. The team also joined the 2024 Eudēmonia Summit, a transformational wellness conference, where we connected with a diverse group of new supporters. Additionally, we produced a heartfelt Day of the Dead video to honor families throughout the state, which was posted on Facebook. The team is excited to collaborate with supporters in spreading Finish Strong resources statewide.
While the End-of-Life Option Act did not move forward for a vote in 2024, Team Maryland’s advocacy remains unwavering. We hosted three community screenings of Last Flight Home, filmmaker Ondi Timoner’s documentary about her father’s final days, and participated in numerous outreach events, including the Heritage Harbor Health Fair, the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland’s annual Engage UUCA, and the King Farm Fall Festival. We have also been working with a new Senate sponsor, Judiciary Committee Chair Will Smith, and are hopeful of seeing movement under his leadership.
Our Massachusetts team is keeping up community engagement in hopes that 2025 is the year that the End of Life Options Act finally becomes law. In September, volunteer Nadia Prescott recorded an interview for the Beverly Council on Aging about end-of-life options for seniors, including medical aid in dying. In 2025, we will focus on expanding legislative support by engaging with newly elected and non-committal legislators and reengaging incumbent bill sponsors to raise the profile of the bill.
In October, Minnesota’s Campaign & Advocacy Manager Gina Schneider hosted Minnesota’s annual benefit, “Renewing the Promise: Compassionate Choices for All.” Gina was joined by Serene Meshel-Dillman, filmmaker and director of Take Me Out Feet First, a docuseries about medical aid-in-dying advocates across the nation. Dan and Candy Nelson, parents of late Minnesota storyteller Danna Nelson, is featured in the docuseries. The group graciously participated in an emotional Q&A panel onstage. Gina also honored Representative Mike Freiberg and Dr. Rebecca Thoman for advancing the Minnesota End-of-Life Options Act further than ever last year.
Team Montana is extremely engaged in the community in preparation for the 2025 legislative session, when we anticipate a bill to criminalize medical aid in dying to be introduced. Through summer and fall, Compassion & Choices Action Network sponsored and/or attended Pride events in Missoula, Billings, Butte, and Big Sky; the Madison County Fair; the Montana Healthcare Conference; and the Montana Nurses Association Convention. We also hosted a campaign briefing in September with information about the history and future of end-of-life options in Montana.
After a disappointing veto by Governor Joe Lombardo in 2023, Compassion & Choices Nevada supporters are pushing for a medical aid-in-dying bill during the 2025 legislative session. In the fall, a survey by the Nevada Public Opinion Pulse showed an overwhelming 63% of Nevadans support medical aid in dying as a compassionate end-of-life option. Support crossed party lines, with 80% of Democrats, 46% of Republicans, and 60% of independent voters. Our team continues to build relationships with storytellers, legislators, healthcare providers, community organizations, and others to advance the full range of end-of-life options.
In November, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) adopted a resolution in support of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. Advocate Denise Griffin, a nurse and NYSNA member from the North Country, sponsored the resolution. The group joins more than 50 other statewide and grassroots groups that support the bill.
Compassion & Choices welcomed Brooklyn resident Erin Markman to its Storyteller program in the fall. After receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, Markman’s father died peacefully in California with loved ones at his side after taking aid-in-dying medication. Her experience witnessing a “good death” inspired Markman to advocate for the compassionate option of medical aid in dying for terminally ill New Yorkers. On January 28, she joined Dan Diaz, Rev. Charles McNeill, New York-based supporter Scott Barraco, and Dr. Jeremy Boal, a former healthcare executive living with ALS, for Freedom + Autonomy at Life’s End: A Discussion About Medical Aid in Dying, a forum organized by C&C and sponsored by the political magazine City & State.
On November 5, West Virginia voters narrowly approved Amendment 1, which adds a prohibition against medical aid to their state constitution. West Virginia is the first state in the nation to take this regressive action.
“The constitution is no place to regulate health care for terminally ill people,” said Charmaine Manansala, chief advocacy officer for Compassion & Choices. “This is just the beginning. We should expect the possibility of ballot initiatives like this in other states. Compassion & Choices will be there to protect patient-directed care and bodily autonomy at the end of life wherever those rights are threatened.”
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
