Broadening California's End of Life Option Act (EOLOA)
OUR MISSION
To broaden California’s End of Life Option Act to include individuals suffering from progressive, incurable diseases that are not currently covered under the law, thereby giving them the right to choose a legal and peaceful death with Medical Aid in Dying.
2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION & EDUCATING CALIFORNIANS
NEXT STEPS FOR LEGISLATION
Senator Catherine Blakespear, who authored a bill to expand medical aid in dying in the 2024 legislative session, has committed to authoring another bill in the 2025 legislative session. The 2025 proposed bill will include a carve-out for those with neurodegenerative diseases (Dementia, Parkinson’s Disease, ALS, MS) who still have cognitive capacity, allow a self-administered IV option, allow access for those from other states, and remove the sunset clause so that our End of Life Option Act doesn’t end in 2031. A Bill can be amended many times as its author works to neutralize opposition and craft a bill that can get the necessary votes to pass in both the Senate and Assembly before heading to the Governor’s desk.
SPREADING THE WORD
A recent report based on research done by End of Life Choices California found that only 25% of Californians are aware that we have a law allowing medical aid in dying (MAID). We also know that even fewer are aware of the specifics of the law. So, A Better Exit has turned much of our attention to arranging talks in person or via Zoom to spread the word about MAID— what it involves, who can and cannot access MAID under the current law, and the ways we would like to see our End of Life Option Act modified to allow more suffering Californians the option to choose a peaceful death. If you know of organizations or retirement communities that might be interested in a presentation or have a connection to a media outlet that might be willing to work with us to publicize our effort, please email us at contact@abetterexit.org.