The End-of-Life Option Act is a California law that will allow a terminally ill patient to request a drug from his or her physician that will end the patient’s life. The California End-of-Life Option Act allows a terminally ill patient who chooses to end his or her own life to obtain and self-administer an aid-in-dying drug from a participating physician. This end-of-life option is voluntary for both patients and their physicians, and the law does not require physicians, health providers or hospice programs to participate in the process.

Hospice care focuses on the relief of pain and suffering, and hospice philosophy affirms life and does not seek to hasten death or prolong life.  While we recognize and respect the choices which patients make regarding their end-of-life care, we will not participate in the End-of-Life Option Act. This means that our physicians will not prescribe or provide any aid-in-dying drug, nor will our staff or volunteers be present at the time that a patient ingests an aid-in-dying drug.

Although Devoted Healthcare will not participate in the End-of-Life Option Act, we will not abandon our patients who may choose to pursue this option. We remain committed to meeting the medical, emotional, psychological and spiritual needs of our patients and their families.

If you have further questions or concerns about our policy regarding the End-of-Life Option Act, please contact our office.