What Do Virginians Need to Know About Medical Aid in Dying?

Medical aid in dying has become an increasingly popular subject as more people wish to include in their estate plans what this means for them and their specific wishes. This can be a highly personal decision and not necessarily one that your friends and family members agree with.

A family member who is suffering might even request that their loved ones help with determining the options ahead of them. But you must educate yourself about what is and isn’t allowed under the law.

Here’s what you need to know about medical aid in dying:

• There are strict eligibility requirements, such as that an adult must have six months or less to live and be able to take the medication on their own.
• Medical aid in dying is optional and no person will ever be required to use it and it is illegal to force someone else to use it.
• Most physicians support the practice of medical aid in dying.
• Just having the option of medical aid in dying relieves a great deal of fear and anxiety even for those patients who ultimately do not choose it.
• End of life care is improved by the provision of medical aid in dying. Studies have shown that comfort care improves for those patients who live in states with medical aid in dying.
• A 2020 Gallup poll revealed that nearly 3 out of 5 residents in the United States support medical aid in dying.
• Medical aid in dying is only authorized in specific states and this does not include Virginia. The included states are California, Washington, Oregon, New Jersey, Montana, Vermont, DC, Colorado, Maine, Hawaii, and New Mexico.

If you have questions about medical aid in dying or other issues, schedule a consultation with a Virginia Beach estate planning lawyer today.