At American Veterans Hospice, we support patients and families with honesty, dignity, and respect as they navigate end-of-life decisions.

In California, the End of Life Option Act (EOLOA)—also known as Medical Aid in Dying (MAID)—allows eligible terminally ill adults to request a prescription medication they may choose to self-administer to achieve a peaceful death.

We do not encourage or discourage this option.

Our role is to educate, guide, and support without judgment.

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What Is the End of Life Option Act?

The End of Life Option Act allows:

• A mentally capable adult

• With a terminal illness and a prognosis of 6 months or less

• To request a prescription from a participating physician

• Which they may self-administer at a time of their choosing

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Participation is voluntary for patients, families, physicians, pharmacists, and hospice agencies.

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Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for MAID in California, a patient must:

1. Be 18 years or older

2. Be a California resident

3. Have a terminal diagnosis with a prognosis of six months or less

4. Have full mental capacity to make medical decisions

5. Be able to self-administer the medication

6. Make two oral requests and one written request

7. Be evaluated by two physicians

   • Attending physician

   • Consulting physician

8. Undergo a mental health evaluation if decision-making capacity is in question

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What If My Doctor Does Not Participate?

Many physicians—and some medical groups—choose not to participate in MAID.
If your current doctor does not participate, it is completely okay.

American Veterans Hospice has a team of participating physicians who can:

• Review your eligibility

• Serve as the attending physician

• Provide the consulting evaluation

• Guide you through the legal and medical steps of the EOLOA process

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Our hospice team ensures that lack of physician participation is never a barrier to receiving accurate information, compassionate support, or help accessing your legal options.

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What Is Hospice’s Role?

American Veterans Hospice:

• Provides clear education about the law and requirements

• Facilitates communication between families and physicians

• Offers emotional, social, and spiritual support

• Helps coordinate evaluations with our EOLOA-participating physicians

• Maintains full hospice services regardless of whether a patient chooses MAID

• Supports the patient and caregivers before, during, and after the process

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We do not provide or administer the medication.
Patients must self-administer it themselves.

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What to Expect During the Process

1. Discussion with a participating physician

2. First oral request

3. Evaluation by a consulting physician

4. Written request (with required witnesses)

5. Possible mental health evaluation

6. Second oral request (48 hours minimum after first request)

7. Prescription sent to a participating pharmacy

8. Patient chooses time, place, and setting to self-administer

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Hospice remains present to provide comfort, support, and dignity throughout. It is common for patients to change their mind and not take the medication, or simply have when they are ready.

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Support for Families

Our interdisciplinary team provides:

• Emotional counseling

• Spiritual care (if desired)

• Education on what to expect

• Support during administration

• 13 months of bereavement care afterward

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Families are never left alone in the process.

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Respect. Compassion. Choice.

American Veterans Hospice honors each patient’s values, beliefs, and cultural traditions.
We are committed to providing non-judgmental support and comprehensive guidance so families feel informed, empowered, and respected.

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