End-of-Life Options Access Project

Protecting and expanding access to existing end-of-life options and rights.

• Bluestein v. Scott, et al.: & Gideonse v. Brown, et al.: Successfully challenged the residency requirement in Vermont’s and Oregon’s medical aid in dying laws, opening up access to all who qualify regardless of where they live.
  
  
• Christian Medical and Dental Associations, et al. v. Bonta, et al.: successfully defended California’s End of Life Option Act, securing a settlement that upheld patients’ access to medical aid in dying while preserving provider opt-out provisions—ensuring the law remains strong and accessible for those who need it.
  
  
• Radcliffe v. Hawai‘i: Compassion & Choices’ legal team filed a groundbreaking lawsuit on behalf of terminally ill advocate John Radcliffe, challenging the criminalization of medical aid in dying in Hawai‘i; while the court dismissed the case, our concurrent legislative efforts succeeded when the state enacted the Our Care, Our Choice Act in 2018, legalizing medical aid in dying for qualified residents.

• Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare, et al. v. Hoser, et al.: successfully intervened to defend Vermont’s medical aid-in-dying law (Act 39) against a challenge by groups seeking to limit physicians’ obligations to inform patients of all end-of-life options, ensuring that patients retain the right to receive comprehensive information to make fully informed decisions.
  
  
• United Spinal, et al. v. State of California, et al.: Defended California’s medical aid in dying law from a challenge brought by disability rights groups.
  
  
• Ahn, et al. v. Hestrin: Successfully defended California’s End of Life Option Act against a prolonged legal challenge, ensuring that terminally ill Californians retain the right to access medical aid in dying.

If you or someone you love is struggling to get the care you want and deserve, we are here to help. Call us today, or use our legal intake form.

Note: We are not a general legal services provider. We focus on legal issues specifically related to end-of-life care and patient autonomy.