Medical aid in dying was authorized in Montana when the state Supreme Court found in 2009 that “[The] Rights of the Terminally Ill Act clearly provides that terminally ill patients are entitled to autonomous end-of-life decisions.” Compassion & Choices litigated this case.
In 2023, Sen. Glimm introduced SB 210 (read our bill summary here), the Physician Imprisonment Act. It failed on the Senate floor by a vote of 24 to 26, and medical aid in dying remains an end-of-life option in Montana.
In a February 2023 poll, 88% of Montana voters opposed the Physician Imprisonment Act. In the 2025 legislature, we will protect medical aid in dying if criminalization legislation is introduced.
VICTORY: SB 210 is defeated in the Senate. However, we are already preparing for another fight. If you agree with 88% of Montanas who reject lawmakers’ attempt at criminalizing medical aid in dying, let lawmakers know today.
Overview – Over 80% of Montanans Support Medical Aid in Dying
Susquehanna Polling and Research – Montana Statewide Public Opinion Survey
Our Introduction to Medical Aid in Dying state packets help explain the medical aid in dying process in jurisdictions where it is authorized*. Compassion & Choices updated the packets to be the most comprehensive resource for those wanting to understand or use medical aid-in-dying laws.
Compassion & Choices presentó un amicus brief o escrito amicus curiae ante la Corte Suprema de Montana, afirmando que una ley estatal que prohíbe ciertos tratamientos médicos para transgéneros menores de edad, puede amenazar los derechos de privacidad para tomar decisiones médicas en cada etapa de la vida, incluyendo el fin de vida. Un tribunal…
Compassion & Choices has filed an amicus brief in the Montana Supreme Court asserting a state law banning certain medical treatments for transgender minors could threaten the privacy rights to make medical decisions at every stage of life, including the end of life. A Montana district court blocked enforcement of the law in late September, just a few days…
This year, Compassion & Choices honors Doris Fischer, the co-winner of the inaugural Allyne Hammer Award. For 16 dedicated years, Doris has volunteered with Compassion & Choices, leaving an indelible mark in Montana. Medical aid in dying was authorized in Montana by court ruling in 2009, with Doris participating in the efforts to keep it…
Bill would strip dying Montanans of access to a peaceful death, subject doctors who provide medical aid in dying to homicide charges, possible death penalty (Helena, MT — Feb. 17, 2023) A new poll shows nearly nine out of 10 Montana voters (88%) oppose a bill that the state Senate could vote on any day, SB 210, which…
Montanans representing 88% of state voters who oppose legislation that would subject physicians to homicide charges if they provided medical aid in dying to terminally ill adults who requested it, praised the state Senate for rejecting the bill, SB 210, in a 24-26 vote Wednesday. Homicide is a felony crime that in Montana carries a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison…
My dad Bob was terminally ill with chronic lymphocytic leukemia when he became the lead plaintiff in the 2009 Baxter ruling, which authorized aid in dying in Montana. He wanted to decide when he had endured enough suffering and wanted the option to die peacefully at home. He continued the effort, even when he realized the decision…
This week, we saw some incredible victories: In Montana, on Monday, we struck down an egregious attempt to criminalize doctors for relieving their patients’ unbearable pain. In New Mexico, in partnership with the New Mexico End of Life Options Coalition, we’ve cleared legislation that would authorize medical aid in dying through the House. On Monday, it…
The Montana Senate today failed to approve a bill that would have allowed the state to prosecute doctors and imprison them, simply for writing a prescription for aid-in-dying medication for a mentally capable terminally ill adult who requests it to peacefully end their suffering. The roll call was a tie, 25 to 25, with both…
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