SB 380 End of Life Option Act

The California End of Life Option Act went into effect on June 9, 2016. Revisions to the law were approved and are effective 1/1/2022. This law allows a terminally ill adults who are California residents to request a medication from his or her physician that will end his or her life. People who choose to end their lives this way, and who carefully follow the steps as outlined by the legislature, will not be considered to have committed suicide. Rather, they will be considered to have died of the underlying terminal illness. Physicians who prescribe the aid-in-dying medication and follow all the steps of the law, will not be subject to legal liability or professional sanction. Participating in this end-of-life option is voluntary for both patients and physicians

Who can use this option?

To receive the aid-in-dying medication, a person must:

Be 18 years or older
Be a resident of California
Have a terminal disease that is expected to result in death within six months
Can make medical decisions and not have impaired judgment for medical decisions because of a mental disorder
Can self-administer the medication (orally, anally, or through an existing feeding tube)

How does a patient obtain aid in dying?

Patients must make three requests for the aid-in-dying medication to his or her attending physician – two orally (at least 48 hours apart) and one in writing on a special form that is witnessed. According to the End of Life Option Act, “attending physician” means the physician who has primary responsibility for the health care of an individual and treatment of the individual's terminal disease.
The attending physician must be willing to prescribe an aid-in-dying medication and must make sure the patient legally qualifies.

Where do we stand on the ELOA

Lifecare Solutions Palliative and Hospice is unwavering in the belief that every patient deserves the absolute right to choose care that aligns with their deepest values and convictions. This includes the profound legal right, as guaranteed by California’s End of Life Option Act, to access prescribed medication to peacefully end life. Under no circumstances will a patient ever be denied hospice services at Lifecare Solutions Palliative and Hospice if they have chosen Aid-in-Dying Medicine.

Procedure

Patients who have obtained aid-in-dying medication from their Primary Care Physician prior to joining Lifecare Solutions Palliative and Hospice are unequivocally welcome and will never be turned away.

While some of our physicians at Lifecare Solutions Palliative and Hospice choose not to prescribe aid-in-dying medication out of respect for their personal philosophy and beliefs, not all opt out of this practice. Regardless of individual choices, our entire organization stands united in our utmost support for every patient and their needs.

Our Team

Our team approaches these discussions with empathy, seeking to fully understand each patient's unique perspective and wishes. Furthermore, hospice staff and volunteers are provided with robust support to examine their own beliefs and are thoroughly trained to engage with patients choosing this option in a manner that is both respectful and supportive.

If any staff member or volunteer feels uncomfortable supporting patients contemplating or utilizing the End-of-Life Option Act, they have the absolute right to request reassignment. Our foremost priority is to ensure that every patient receives care with complete dignity, respect, and comfort, no exceptions. If, at any point, an employee or volunteer does not wish to provide this specialized care, they are encouraged to notify their supervisor to facilitate an immediate reassignment—ensuring no patient ever feels abandoned or neglected.

Our commitment

It is critical that no employee or volunteer attempts to sway another’s beliefs or opinions regarding the End-of-Life Option Act. Lifecare Solutions Palliative and Hospice upholds the highest standard of respect for individual beliefs and guarantees that every voice, every conviction, and every choice is protected without judgment or discrimination.

At Lifecare Solutions, dignity, respect, and unwavering support for every patient are not just values, they are our solemn promise.