Myths & Facts

  
    MYTHS & FACTS
  
    Eligibility & Who Qualifies
  
        Myth
        Fact
      
        MAiD is available for dementia.
        Decision‑making capacity throughout the process is required.
      
        MAiD is available for mental illness or disability.
        MAiD in the U.S. is available only to adults with a terminal illness.
      
        MAiD is available to minors.
        All U.S. MAiD laws apply only to adults over the age of 18.
      
        MAiD is available in all 50 states.
        MAiD is authorized in a limited number of U.S. jurisdictions.
      
        MAiD is available through federal law.
        MAiD is authorized only at the state level.
      
        Families can request MAiD for a patient.
        Only the patient can request MAiD. No one else may initiate or authorize it.
      
        People can make advance requests for MAiD.
        Advance requests are not permitted.
      
        MAiD is available for chronic pain.
        Chronic pain alone does not qualify. A terminal illness is required.
      
    Practice & Process
  
        Myth
        Fact
      
        MAiD is the same as euthanasia.
        MAiD is self‑administered in the U.S., not administered by clinicians.
      
        MAiD is the same as stopping treatment.
        Stopping or declining treatment is a separate and longstanding right.
      
        MAiD is widely used.
        MAiD is used by only a small percentage of eligible patients after they are approved.
      
        U.S. residents can travel to Canada for MAiD.
        Canada requires legal residency. U.S. residents cannot access MAiD there.
      
        The U.S. is considering broader eligibility.
        No jurisdiction is considering extending eligibility beyond terminal illness.
      
        MAiD is available in all hospitals.
        Participation is voluntary, and not all hospitals in the U.S. offer MAiD.
      
        MAiD is faster than hospice or palliative care.
        MAiD is a separate option and does not replace hospice or palliative care.
      
        MAiD is used because people are depressed.
        Eligibility requires a terminal illness, not depression alone.
      
        MAiD is used to avoid being a burden.
        Requests must be voluntary and free of coercion. Clinicians must confirm this.
      
        MAiD is available immediately after diagnosis.
        Multiple requests, evaluations, and waiting periods are required.
      
        MAiD is administered by hospice staff.
        MAiD is self‑administered, not administered by hospice staff.
      
        MAiD is the same as palliative sedation.
        Palliative sedation is a distinct clinical practice with a different intent.