Support for doctor-assisted suicide is losing ground. Identical studies done in 2016 and 2025 by the Lifeway Research found that in 2016, 67% of Americans agreed with it, but in 2025, only 51% of Americans agreed. Nonetheless, as this report indicates, it remains a serious problem.
See our website, under special reports, for an extended version of this report.
California
Origin
The End of Life Option Act began in 2016.
Victims
According to the Dept. of Public Health, between 2016 and 2024 a total of 8,242 people received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 5,423 people ended their lives by ingesting the drug.
Colorado
Origin
In 2016, two-thirds of Colorado voters approved Proposition 106 which allowed for the legalization of Medical Aid in Dying.
Victims
According to the Dept. of Public Health and the Environment, between 2017 and 2024, 1,995 people received life-ending drugs.
District of Columbia
Origin
The Death with Dignity Act of 2016 took effect in 2017.
Victims
According to the Dept. of Health, between 2019 and 2022 a total of 31 patients received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 23 ended their lives by ingesting the drug.
Hawaii
Origin
Our Choice Act began in 2019.
Victims
According to the Dept. of Health, between 2019 and 2024 a total of 361 patients received prescriptions for life-ending drugs, ending the lives of 195.
Maine
Origin
The Death With Dignity Act became law in 2019.
Victims
Between 2019 to 2024, a total of 318 patients received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. It ended the lives of 218 people.
Montana
Origin
In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution does not prohibit medical aid in dying. It also ruled that physicians who act on a patient’s wishes to end their own life cannot be criminally penalized. While the ruling allowed for the practice, the state legislature has not passed a law that officially legalizes it.
Victims
No official statistics are available.
New Jersey
Origin
The Medical Aid in Dying Act began in 2019.
Victims
According to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, between 2019 and 2024 a total of 409 patients received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 362 ended their lives by ingesting the drug.
New Mexico
Origin
The End of Life Option Act took effect in 2021.
Victims
The Dept. of Health does not keep annual statistics on the number of people who have died from assisted suicide. Therefore it is unknown how many have used the practice to end their lives.
Oregon
Origin
The Death With Dignity Act was initially approved by Oregon voters in 1994, but an injunction was issued. It was lifted in 1997, allowing the law to take effect.
Victims
According to the Health Authority, from 1998 to 2024, a total of 4,881 people received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 3,243 patients died by ingesting the drug.
Vermont
Origin
In 2013, the Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life Act was passed.
Victims
According to the Dept. of Health, between 2013 and 2023 a total of 200 patients received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 146 ended their lives.
Washington
Origin
The Death with Dignity Act became law in 2009.
Victims
According to the State Dept. of Health, between 2009 and 2023 a total of 3,683 people received prescriptions for life-ending drugs. Of this, 2,768 people ended their lives.
Sometimes it takes a personal experience before we change. Take the case of Montana State Rep. Greg Overstreet, who initially was a supporter of doctor-assisted suicide. When he was suffering from COVID and on a ventilator, doctors told him he had a slim chance of survival. He asked doctors to pull his ventilator after seven days, but extended it to two weeks after pleas from his wife. He soon made a miraculous recovery a week later. He noted that if it were not for his wife pleading him to extend the “do not resuscitate” order, he would not have survived. His experience led him to support the prohibition of the law.
It is striking to note that the six states with the worst record are also among the least religious in the nation. A recent Pew study of the 50 states and the District of Columbia listed California and Colorado tied for 39th, Hawaii was 43rd, Oregon was 40th, Vermont was 51st and Washington 37th.
Radical autonomy has become a secular God. Its consequences are deadly.
