Every day, people across the country are denied the end-of-life care they want—or are forced into treatments they don’t. At Compassion Legal, we are on the front lines making sure that doesn’t happen. We’re here to protect your rights, uphold your decisions, and ensure that your voice matters—especially when it matters most.
If you or a loved one is facing barriers to getting the care you want at the end of life, we want to hear from you. And if you’re an attorney—or know one—who believes in patient autonomy and patient-directed care, we invite you to join our growing legal referral network. We’re especially seeking new partners in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, but our work touches every corner of the country. Contact us today at [email protected] or call our free legal helpline at 800-247-7421. Your case, your voice, or your legal expertise could change someone’s life—or the law itself.
In Kansas and Colorado, we are fighting to protect and expand end-of-life options so that people can have control over their own healthcare decisions.
In Kansas, we’re challenging a discriminatory provision in the state’s advance directive law through Vernon v. Kobach. This case targets the “Pregnancy Exclusion” that automatically invalidates the advance directives (also known as living wills) of pregnant individuals, denying them the same fundamental right to plan for and control their medical care that Kansas law guarantees to all other adults. The case was brought on behalf of three Kansas women and two physicians who argue this law violates state constitutional rights of personal autonomy, privacy, and equal treatment by disregarding clearly expressed end-of-life decisions based solely on pregnancy status.
This case is drawing significant national attention, including coverage in The Washington Post, which highlights the growing awareness of how pregnancy exclusions in end-of-life laws strip away rights from pregnant individuals and Compassion & Choices’ role in challenging these discriminatory provisions.
In Colorado, we’re challenging residency requirements in the state’s End-of-Life Options Act that prevent terminally ill patients from other states from accessing medical aid in dying in Colorado. This federal lawsuit argues that restricting access to medical care based on state residency violates the Constitution’s Equal Protection, Privileges and Immunities, and Commerce clauses. The case was brought on behalf of a terminally-ill Minnesota resident who cannot currently access Colorado’s law because of the residency restriction and two Colorado physicians who are prohibited from offering the full range of end-of-life options to their non-resident patients. This case represents our fourth challenge to such residency requirements—Oregon and Vermont have already settled similar cases and removed their residency restrictions, while litigation in New Jersey is ongoing.
The significant progress we’ve achieved in protecting end-of-life rights has only been possible through our partnerships with dedicated pro bono attorneys and law firms across the country. These legal professionals have been instrumental in advancing groundbreaking cases, generously providing expert counsel, and ensuring protection of end-of-life rights for all.
As we continue expanding our impact, we’re actively seeking passionate attorneys to join our network, particularly in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. If you’re an attorney interested in making a meaningful difference, or if you know someone who might be, we encourage you to reach out at [email protected]. Whether through direct representation, amicus brief support, or strategic consultation, pro bono partners play an essential role in our mission to ensure that people have access to compassionate end-of-life care.
Our work at Compassion Legal continues to break ground in protecting the rights of terminally ill individuals and their families. Through strategic litigation, our legal hotline, and expanding our network of committed attorneys, we’re ensuring that fundamental rights remain fundamental—regardless of pregnancy status, state of residence, or any other discriminatory barrier–and that all individuals can access the end-of-life options that are right for them.
Compassion & Choices
Media Contacts
David Blank
Media Relations Director
[email protected]
Phone: (227) 225 6553
Patricia A. González-Portillo
Senior National Latino Media Director
[email protected]
(323) 819 0310
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
