MAID in California Shows Improvements in Year Nine

California published its ninth annual report on its End of Life Option Act. Most of the data is consistent both with prior years of MAID in California and with MAID usage in other states. But here are notable differences about 2024 usage.  

• Totals. There were 1591 prescriptions and 1032 deaths. That is an increase from 2023 with 1409 prescriptions and 969 deaths. But it is only one-third of one percent of all California deaths. 
• Hospice. 95% of patients who died were receiving hospice and/or palliative care. This number has always been over 90%. But 2024 shows an increase.
• Illnesses. Only 60% of patients had cancer. This is lower than most other reports in any state. 14% had cardiovascular disease. That is higher than most other reports where neurological disease was the second most common disease.