Washington D.C.

Overview

The District of Columbia Council unanimously passed the Death with Dignity Act in December 2016. After surviving a Congressional review period without being overturned (Congress has oversight authority over DC laws), it took effect February 18, 2017. The law closely mirrors Oregon's model.

Eligibility Requirements

• Must be a DC 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 15 days apart
• One written request with two witnesses
• Two physicians confirm eligibility

The Process

• Patient makes oral requests to attending physician (15-day wait between requests)
• Written request submitted and confirmed
• Prescription issued for self-administered medication
• DC Health receives annual compliance reports

Key Resources

• DC Health — dchealth.dc.gov
• Death with Dignity National Center — deathwithdignity.org
• Compassion & Choices — compassionandchoices.org

Legal Contacts

• DC Department of Health — Death with Dignity Act — Official source for DC DWDA forms, annual data, and programme guidance. dchealth.dc.gov (search "Death with Dignity")
• Compassion & Choices DC — Provides patient advocacy, physician referrals, and volunteer support for DC residents navigating the DWDA. compassionandchoices.org
• Death with Dignity National Center — Legislative monitoring and educational resources for the DC law. deathwithdignity.org

Medical Contacts

• Medical Society of the District of Columbia (MSDC) — Professional body for DC physicians; publishes guidance on DWDA participation and conscientious objection.
• End of Life Washington — Provides counsellor support and physician referral services that extend to the greater Washington DC area. endoflifewa.org
• American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) — National resource for palliative care and MAID physician referrals. aahpm.org

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