Our Mission
Florida End-of-Life Options, formerly called Florida Death with Dignity, a 501(c)(3) non-profit grass roots movement, is dedicated to educate, promote, and raise awareness in individuals, organizations, and communities resulting in support for a medical aid in dying law in Florida. We are in the process of creating a new website more closely aligned with our new name and the progress we have achieved in the past 3 years.
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The Current Status of the Medical Aid-in-Dying Legislation
2024: Bills do not advance
- In September, The Florida End-of-Life Options Organization is meeting with legislators to get sponsors in the House and Senate for our medical aid-in-dying legislation.
- Both bills die in committee and the bills do not advance.
- In January, the Florida Senate introduces S1642, a companion bill to H 561. The bill is referred to the Health Policy, Judiciary, and Fiscal Policy Committees.
2023: Session Ends, Bill Carries Over to 2024 Legislative Session
- On December 1, the bill is referred to the Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee. The bill is also referred to the Judiciary Committee and the Health & Human Services Committee. The bill will crossover into the 2024 session.
- In November, Representative Daryl Campbell introduces the Florida End of Life Options Act (H 561).
- In February, Florida lawmakers introduce S864/H1231 and the bills are assigned their respective committees. The session ends and the bills do not advance.
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Meet Rita
September, 2024. This month we honor the memory of Rita Mannebach, a passionate supporter and volunteer for our organization since April 2021. Rita, wife, mother, grandmother, social worker, elementary school teacher, counselor and principal, Hospice volunteer and End of Life Doula. Rita was diagnosed this past year with a terminal illness with less than 6 months to live. She chose to use medical aid in dying (MAiD) as her end-of-life option, BUT since Florida has yet to legalize MAiD, she and her family had to travel to Vermont, where MAiD is legal for non-residents.
“She had the opportunity to pass in the way that was important to her…painfree…fearlessly…surrounded by family” said Mike, Rita’s son. Click here to listen to an excerpt from Orlando NPR interviewer, Cheryn Stone, who interviewed Mike and Tony Ray, President of Florida Death with Dignity, after Rita’s passing.
R.I.P Rita
About Us
The Florida End-of-Life Options organization is a grassroots movement determined to raise awareness and fight for expanding end-of-life options in the state of Florida.
Stories
Only one in five Americans lives in a jurisdiction with access to medical aid in dying. The movement gathers strength every time someone shares their story.
How You Can Help
Supporting Florida End-of-Life Options is an opportunity for you to make a difference reducing suffering for Floridians with a terminal illness. Volunteer or donate today!
A long-time advocate for medical aid in dying, Roger Kligler is a retired physician in Falmouth, MA, living with prostate cancer. Hear his request for Massachusetts to pass a medical aid in dying law.
Erik Carlson was staring down a terminal illness with an awful end. He wasn’t sure he would choose this option but he wanted the choice. Eventually, he seized it. His family is loving and supportive. Please watch and share.
Death with Dignity National Center presents:
“Voices of a Movement” chronicles the history of the death with dignity movement from the perspective of individuals who have played a leading role in passing and protecting death with dignity laws across the U.S.
Volunteer Opportunities
Public Education at Events & Fairs
Advocacy: Interfacing with Legislators
Office support: Data entry, research
Communication: Newsletters, Social Media
Volunteers: Managing, Coordinating, Training
Are you ready to join us
on our mission?
It is time for the Sunshine State to join other jurisdictions having a death with dignity law, to make it possible for Floridians with a terminal illness to access the same autonomy and individual freedom while dying as they enjoyed while living.
Become a Business Sponsor
Supporting Florida Death with Dignity is an opportunity for you to make a difference reducing suffering for Floridians with a terminal illness. Sponsor an Event. Sponsor a Program. Support a Project. Contribute with a gift in kind. Become a Business Sponsor and receive recognition via social media, newsletter and our website. Email us at sponsor.fldwd@gmail.com to discuss how we can work together.
