What happens when the healthcare system doesn’t meet your and your loved ones needs and wishes? You deserve medical care that aligns with your values and beliefs, preserves your dignity, and reflects your unique needs – especially when it comes to the inevitability of death.

But what if your rights to self-determination at the end of life have been violated? That’s where Compassion Legal, the End of Life Justice Center at Compassion & Choices, comes in. Our staff attorneys work closely with pro bono counsel from renowned private law firms  to ensure that your end-of-life decisions are respected and protected. With dozens of active and monitored cases,  our team is defending your autonomy and fighting for justice.

If you or someone you love need  expert legal assistance to help ensure you get the care you want, need, and deserve, call us at 800.247.7421 or visit CandC.org/CompassionLegal

If you are an attorney with a passion for end-of-life care and the ability to donate pro bono services, Compassion Legal wants to hear from you. 

Here are just a few examples of our critical work on the ground across the United States: 

Almerico v. Denney: Protecting Patient Wishes in Idaho

In a landmark victory, Compassion & Choices won a federal lawsuit striking down an Idaho law that automatically invalidated advance directives for pregnant people. This discriminatory law violated fundamental constitutional rights — including bodily autonomy, freedom of speech, and gender equality.

Thanks to the courage of the plaintiffs and the work of our legal team, Idaho settled the case in 2022. The state was required to update its advance directive form, removing the harmful pregnancy exclusion, and notify more than 40,000 individuals who had registered advance directives. This victory ensures that a person’s end-of-life wishes are honored — regardless of pregnancy status.

Bluestein v. Scott: Expanding Access to Medical Aid in Dying

When Connecticut resident Lynda Bluestein was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she wanted access to medical aid in dying. But as an out-of-state patient, she was barred from receiving care in Vermont. Compassion & Choices supported a lawsuit on behalf of Lynda and Vermont physician Dr. Diana Barnard to challenge this barrier.

Thanks to this legal advocacy, Lynda was able to access medical aid in dying and have the peaceful, self-directed end-of-life experience she desired. Her courage — and our continued legal push — has opened the door for others facing similar challenges.

Cross v. Montana: Defending Patient Autonomy for All

In another critical case, Compassion & Choices filed an amicus brief opposing Montana bill SB99, which sought to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors. While not strictly an end-of-life issue, the implications of this bill could have far-reaching consequences for medical decision-making rights.

In December 2023, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that SB99 likely violates the state’s constitutional right to privacy — a victory not just for transgender youth, but for all Montanans who value medical decisions being kept between a patient and their doctor. Compassion Legal will continue to stand up for privacy, autonomy, and the right to choose what happens to your body — at every stage of life.

United Spinal, et al. v. State of California, et al.: Defending Medical-Aid-in-Dying Laws

Compassion & Choices and our pro-bono counsel are  protecting end-of-life options in California. A coalition of disability rights groups and two people with disabilities filed a lawsuit challenging California’s Act on April 25, 2023, in a federal district court, arguing that it discriminates against people with disabilities. Our clients moved to intervene to protect this vital end-of-life option and defend against any attempt to block access to the Act for qualified terminally ill individuals.

On Wednesday, March 28, 2024, a California judge dismissed the lawsuit and found that the law did not violate federal anti-discrimination laws. The plaintiffs appealed this decision to the Ninth Circuit on April 25, 2024. Our clients subsequently filed their own appeal on April 26, 2024, challenging the lower court’s dismissal of their Motion to Intervene.

As of March 28, 2025, the case is currently stayed pending a decision on organizational standing by the Ninth Circuit in Arizona Alliance for Retired Americans v. Mayes. 

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