New Mexico

Overview

New Mexico's Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act was signed by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham on April 8, 2021 and took effect June 18, 2021. The law is named after a New Mexico judge who advocated for the legislation before her death from cancer.

New Mexico's law has the broadest provider scope in the US — physicians, APRNs, and physician assistants (PAs) can all serve as attending providers, addressing the state's rural healthcare access challenges.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a New Mexico resident
• Must be 18 or older
• Must have a terminal illness with a prognosis of 6 months or less
• Must have decision-making capacity
• Two oral requests at least 7 days apart (shorter than most states)
• One written request with two witnesses or notarization
• Two providers confirm eligibility

Notable Features

• Physicians, APRNs, AND physician assistants (PAs) may serve as attending providers
• 7-day waiting period between oral requests — among the shortest in the US
• Waiting period may be waived if death or loss of capacity is imminent
• New Mexico Department of Health tracks and publishes annual data

Key Resources

• New Mexico Department of Health — nmhealth.org
• Death with Dignity National Center — deathwithdignity.org
• Compassion & Choices New Mexico — compassionandchoices.org

Legal Contacts

• New Mexico Department of Health — Official source for the Elizabeth Whitefield End of Life Options Act programme information, forms, and annual data. nmhealth.org (search "end of life options")
• Compassion & Choices New Mexico — Provides patient advocacy, physician referrals, and support for New Mexico residents; particularly active in the non-terminal eligibility pathway unique to NM. compassionandchoices.org
• Death with Dignity National Center — Legislative monitoring and educational resources for New Mexico's progressive law. deathwithdignity.org

Medical Contacts

• New Mexico Medical Society — Professional body for New Mexico physicians; publishes guidance on the End of Life Options Act, including the expanded eligibility criteria that extend beyond terminal diagnosis.
• Compassion & Choices Physician Referral Service — Maintains a list of NM-willing physicians; a key resource given New Mexico's relatively low physician density in rural areas. compassionandchoices.org
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) — National resource for palliative care and MAID physician training. aahpm.org

Important: Contact details and eligibility requirements change. Always verify information directly with each organisation before taking any action.