About one in three U.S. residents currently have a healthcare option that has for far too long been denied to the people of Nevada: The chance to chart their own end-of-life journey, including the compassionate option of medical aid in dying.
Medical aid in dying allows terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option to request and take medication prescribed by their doctor to end profound suffering. It is entirely optional for both the terminally ill person and the doctor, and it puts the patient in charge of what happens with their dying process.
Kim Mazeres's husband of 30 years, Steve Barker, died from chronic rejection due to a lung transplant. Nevada didn't and still doesn't have the option of medical aid in dying so she continues to advocate for that option. She wrote, "Steve had his six month prognosis at least three months prior to dying. If we had the option of medical aid in dying in Nevada, he would have pursued obtaining a prescription. I don't know if he would have ultimately used it, but having an alternative in hand would have eased both of our minds. That assurance would have lessened the stress and fear of his pain and suffering. He deserved the opportunity to make his own decision, and I honestly believe he likely would have availed himself of the option."
Access to a peaceful death should not be determined by where you live. Take action today, and join the fight to allow terminally ill Nevada residents the opportunity to end their story on their terms.
By taking action today, you show your support for choice at the end of life. You'll receive vital info from Compassion & Choices and Compassion & Choices Action Network and be the first to learn about opportunities for action.
The Compassion & Choices family comprises two organizations: Compassion & Choices (the 501(c)(3)), whose focus is expanding access, public education and litigation; and Compassion & Choices Action Network (the 501(c)(4)), whose focus is legislative work at the federal and state levels. By submitting this form, you affirm your membership in the Compassion & Choices Action Network. Membership is open to anyone committed to advancing end-of-life options and is renewed annually through a donation or online action.
I am writing today to strongly support allowing access to medical aid in dying in Nevada, an option that is already available in 14 other jurisdictions.
This practice allows terminally ill adults with six months or less left to live the option to request and take medication prescribed by their doctor to end profound suffering. It's entirely optional, and it gives patients autonomy, putting them in charge of requesting and taking the medication, with the ability to change their mind at any time.
Access to a peaceful death should not be determined by where you live. I pledge to support the people of Nevada and fight to get them the chance to end their story on their terms.
