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Medical Aid in Dying
New Jersey is one of ten states, plus the District of Columbia, where medical aid in dying is legal. With the reservation offered in "Be a Burden," I believe Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) is a natural and appropriate option for those whose suffering as the end of life approaches is intractable. For most dying people, pain and suffering are manageable, and the wish to be with loved ones outweighs, for a time, their deteriorating quality of life. They are reassured to know that the option of MAID is available to them, and that reassurance is enough to enable them to do the good work of dying with the help of their loved ones and hospice team. Gathered here are resources to help you explore the option of Medical Aid in Dying.
This non-profit organization is a leader in promoting awareness of and providing resources for medical aid in dying across the country. Their Vision Statement says it all: "A society that affirms life and accepts the inevitability of death, embraces expanded options for compassionate dying and empowers everyone to choose end-of-life care that reflects their values, priorities and beliefs."
Another national, non-profit organization that provides advocacy and resources for medical aid in dying. "Our goal is to ensure people with terminal illness can decide for themselves what a good death means in accordance with their values and beliefs, and that should include having an option for death with dignity."
The First Time I Helped One of My Patients Die
by Jessica Israel
This powerful essay discusses New Jersey's Medical Aid in Dying law from the perspective of a palliative care physician who participates in the MAID program. Her essay also explores the sometimes fraught relationship between MAID and hospice.