Since its passage in 1994, the Oregon Death with Dignity Act has set a legislative standard for medical aid in dying laws across the U.S., empowering terminally ill individuals to have choice and control over their deaths. Over the past 30 years, the movement has achieved remarkable milestones—upholding Oregon’s law in court, expanding to multiple states, and gaining strong public support.
As we celebrate this legacy, we reflect on the profound impact of these efforts in honoring patient autonomy and expanding compassionate end-of-life choices.
1. Landmark Passage of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act
On November 8, 1994, with a 51%-49% ballot initiative vote, the people of Oregon voted to enact the Death with Dignity Act, establishing model legislation for end-of-life options across the U.S.
2. Foundation of the Oregon Death with Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center
Shortly after the ballot initiative vote, the Oregon Death with Dignity Legal Defense and Education Center was formed to defend and protect Oregon’s monumental law.
3. Oregon Voters Reaffirm Death with Dignity Act
Oregon voters reaffirmed the Death with Dignity Act in 1997 with a decisive 60%-40% vote, solidifying support for end-of-life care options.
4. Partnership to Pass Death with Dignity Legislation in Vermont
Death with Dignity Vermont and Death with Dignity National Center signed an agreement in 2003 to formalize a partnership with the goal of making Vermont the first state to pass Death with Dignity legislation.
5. Federal Appeals Court Upholds Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act
In 2004, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Oregon Death with Dignity Act in Oregon v. Ashcroft, affirming that the federal government could not interfere with the state’s law.
6. U.S. Supreme Court Affirms Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act
The Supreme Court upheld the Oregon Death with Dignity Act in Gonzales v. Oregon in 2006, ruling that the federal government, through the Justice Department, may not prosecute Oregon physicians and pharmacists practicing lawfully under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act.
7. Death with Dignity Supports Washington State Campaign with $1 Million Donation
In 2007, Death with Dignity National Center donated $1M to the Washington ballot campaign, establishing a commitment to support states adopting the Death with Dignity law. Through time, we’ve provided support to 78% of statewide grassroots organizations.
8. Washington State Approves Death with Dignity Act
Washington voters passed the Death with Dignity Act on November 4, 2008 with a 58%-42% vote, becoming the second state to authorize the option of medical aid in dying in the U.S.
9. Montana Supreme Court Ruling Affirms Medical Aid in Dying
In 2009, Montana’s Supreme Court ruled in Baxter v. Montana that state law does not prohibit physicians from prescribing medication to terminally ill patients seeking to hasten death, citing the state’s Rights of the Terminally Ill Act.
10. Polling Shows Strong Support for End-of-Life Options in Oregon and Washington
A National Journal and Regence Foundation poll shows that Oregon and Washington’s residents are more knowledgeable and supportive of end-of-life options than most residents in the U.S., with 80% of Oregonians supporting the Act by 2012.
11. Vermont Passes First Legislatively Enacted Death with Dignity Law
In 2013, Vermont passed the Patient Choice and Control at End-of-Life Act, becoming the first state to enact Death with Dignity legislation through legislative action.
12. California Approves the End-of-Life Option Act
California’s End-of-Life Option Act passed through the legislature in 2015, making it the fifth and overwhelmingly the largest jurisdiction to adopt this end-of-life option.
13. California’s End-of-Life Option Act Withstands Legal Challenges
Opponents challenge the constitutionality of California’s End-of-Life Option Act, but after prolonged litigation, the courts uphold the law, allowing it to remain in effect.
14. Colorado Passes Proposition 106
Colorado voters approved Proposition 106, the End-of-Life Options Act in 2016 by a 65%-35% vote, giving Coloradans access to Death with Dignity.
15. Washington D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act Takes Effect
Washington D.C. Death with Dignity Act went into effect in 2017, making the District of Columbia the sixth U.S. jurisdiction with an assisted dying statute.
16. Death with Dignity Poll Shows Strong Voter Support in D.C.
A poll commissioned by Death with Dignity National Center and conducted by Lake Research asked voters if they support a bill allowing terminally ill adults to voluntarily end their lives with informed choice, and found 67% of voters in favor of Death with Dignity. The poll was instrumental in the passage of D.C.’s Death with Dignity law.
17. Hawai’i Enacts the Our Care, Our Choice Act
Hawai’i enacted the Our Care, Our Choice Act in 2018, expanding end-of-life options to its residents.
18. Maine Becomes the Next State to Pass Death with Dignity Law
In 2019, Maine enacted the Death with Dignity Act nearly 20 years after Maine voters initially voted down Death with Dignity on the ballot.
19. New Jersey Passes Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act
New Jersey joins the growing list of states providing end-of-life options with the passage of the Medical Aid in Dying for the Terminally Ill Act in 2019.
20. Death with Dignity Establishes the Dignity50 Advocacy Group
In 2020, Death with Dignity formed the Dignity50 group, uniting advocates across the country to advance end-of-life rights.
21. New Mexico Enacts the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act
New Mexico becomes the 10th U.S. jurisdiction to adopt an aid-in-dying law with the Elizabeth Whitefield End-of-Life Options Act in 2021.
22. California Reduces Waiting Period for End-of-Life Option Act
In 2021, California legislation improved access by reducing the waiting period between requests from 15 days to 48 hours, removing the attestation form, and mandating non-supportive physicians to inform patients and document requests.
23. Vermont Expands Access to Patient Choice and Control at End-of-Life Act
Vermont amends its Patient Choice and Control at End-of-Life Act in 2022, eliminating in-person requirements for requests and physician exams and reducing prescription wait times.
24. DEA Extends Telemedicine for Terminally Ill Patients
Following a Death with Dignity National Center-led campaign in 2023, the DEA extended telemedicine flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances through December 2024, after receiving over 40,000 public comments, 10,000 of which were from terminally ill patients and caregivers.
25. Oregon and Vermont Repeal Residency Requirements
Oregon and Vermont repealed their residency requirements, reducing barriers to their Death with Dignity laws for non-residents.
26. Death with Dignity National Center Supports Medical Aid in Dying Conference
In 2023, Death with Dignity National Centers sponsored the American Clinicians Academy on Medical Aid in Dying conference, supporting advancements in Death with Dignity education and advocacy.
27. Death with Dignity Launches Life File for End-of-Life Planning
Death with Dignity National Center launched the Life File in 2023 – an online advance care planning tool to help individuals organize critical documents and plans for end-of-life care.
28. Polling Finds Strong Support for Medical Aid in Dying Among New Yorkers
In 2024, polling commissioned by Death with Dignity National Center found that 72% of New Yorkers support medical aid in dying.
29. Death with Dignity National Center and CLI Launch Global Fellows Program
Death with Dignity National Center and the Completed Life Initiative launched the Global Fellows End-of-Life Care Project in 2024, fostering the next generation of leaders in end-of-life care.
30. Oregon Celebrates 30 Years of the Death with Dignity Act
Oregon celebrates 30 years since the passage of its landmark Death with Dignity law on November 8, 2024, marking three decades of progress in end-of-life choice and care.
Changing hearts and minds takes time, and the fight has been long and worth it.
Support our work and help us protect and expand end-of-life rights by making a donation. Every contribution strengthens the movement for Death with Dignity across the nation.
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