Compassion & Choices is a nonprofit organization in the United States working to improve patient autonomy and individual choice at the end of life, including access to medical aid in dying. Its primary function is advocating for and ensuring access to aid in dying.The organization has worked for recognition of a difference between the terms "assisted suicide" and "legal physician aid in dying" in the criminal code. For example, Oregon law draws a distinction between "suicide" and "aid in dying" for criminal purposes. ORS 127.880 §3.14
History Compassion & Choices is the successor to the Hemlock Society, and the Compassion in Dying Federation; the organizations merged in 2007. The organization has a staff of 80 people located across the country.
The 2011 Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize winner, How to Die in Oregon, documented the work of Compassion & Choices of Oregon.
See also Act 39 in Vermont, the first state to pass a death with dignity law by legislative action Barbara Coombs Lee Baxter v. Montana California End of Life Option Act Oregon Death with Dignity Act Family Health Care Decisions Act Gonzales v. Oregon Brittany Maynard Vacco v. Quill Washington v. Glucksberg Washington Death with Dignity Act
References
Bibliography
Farewell to Hemlock: Killed by its name, an essay by Derek Humphry 21 February 2005
External links