The Completed Life Initiative

Sometimes news coverage about medical aid in dying in Canada causes confusion about how the continuum of care works for patients reaching the end of their lives in the United States. Although the two systems might seem similar at first glance, there are some fundamental differences between them.

The U.S. and Canada have unique healthcare systems and regulatory frameworks. As a result, each country has separate, distinct policies for who qualifies for medical aid in dying and how this type of care is accessed. It’s important to get the facts straight, so here’s what you need to know.