ELIGIBILITY & SAFEGUARDS

Terminal Prognosis Requirement

To qualify for medical aid in dying (MAiD), a patient must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of six months or less, as determined by the attending clinician. This prognosis must be based on the clinician’s best medical judgment.

Decision‑Making Capacity

The patient must have the ability to understand their diagnosis, their options, and the nature of the MAiD request. A mental health evaluation is required only if either clinician has concerns about the patient’s capacity to make an informed decision.

Voluntary Request and Absence of Coercion

The request for MAiD must be voluntary. Clinicians must confirm that the patient is acting freely and is not being pressured by family members, caregivers, or others.

Multiple Requests Are Required

Every jurisdiction requires more than one request for MAiD. Patients typically make two oral requests and one written request with witnesses. These requests must be separated by time to ensure that the decision is consistent and sustained.

Residency Requirements

MAiD is authorized at the state level. Patients must be residents of the state where MAiD is legal. As of this site’s launch, Oregon and Vermont are the only jurisdictions that extend MAiD access to non‑residents.

Self‑Administration Requirement

U.S. MAiD laws require that the patient take the medication themselves. Self‑administration is most often oral, using a liquid or dissolved mixture prepared by a pharmacy. When swallowing is difficult, some jurisdictions allow other routes, such as an existing feeding tube or rectal administration. These methods are uncommon but permitted in certain states, and they still require the patient to perform the final act themselves.

Ability to Withdraw at Any Time

Patients may change their mind at any point in the process. A request for MAiD can be withdrawn verbally or in writing, and no one is ever obligated to proceed.

Safeguards to Prevent Misuse

State laws include multiple safeguards designed to protect patients. These include independent clinical evaluations, time separation between requests, written documentation, and mandatory reporting to state agencies.