Looking Ahead: 2026 Legislative and Federal Preview Webinar

Compassion & Choices’ Medical Aid-in-Dying Action Center recently hosted our 2026 legislative session and federal preview webinar, offering supporters an inside look at the movement’s priorities for the year ahead.

President & CEO Kevin Díaz opened the program with a message of determination amid an unpredictable political climate, reminding attendees that policy changes start with individual advocates.

Elizabeth Armijo, National Director of Legislative Advocacy, shared that 2025 was a year of extraordinary progress, with bills authorizing medical aid in dying passed in Delaware, New York, Illinois, and improvements to existing medical aid-in-dying laws in California and Maine. As a result, if NY and IL’s laws are enacted, by early 2026 more than 85 million adults representing over 28% of the U.S. population will live in states where medical aid in dying is authorized. Looking to the 2026 legislative session, Armijo outlined plans for active campaigns in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.

At the federal level, Nelson Garcia, Director of Federal Affairs, discussed efforts to protect D.C.’s medical aid-in-dying law from congressional interference and advance key legislation such as the CONNECT for Health Act and PCHETA (Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act). Both bills aim to improve telehealth access and strengthen palliative care training nationwide.

Shapri LoMaglio of The Raben Group provided a broader look at the 2026 political landscape, noting how healthcare affordability and access continue to drive bipartisan concern. Despite gridlock in Washington, public support for medical aid in dying remains strong: roughly 70% of Americans support it when framed around compassion and autonomy.

Stay engaged with our campaigns through the National Medical Aid-in-Dying Action Center Newsletter and watch your email for local volunteer opportunities in the months ahead.