When it comes to the end of life, hospital stays are more intensive and more expensive than alternatives. Medicimage/Science Source hide caption
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Lonny Shavelson has studied America's experiments with aid in dying. He's now helping patients and doctors in California come to grips with the state's new law. Courtesy of PhotoWords.com hide caption
Talking about end-of-life care may be difficult, but the stakes make the conversations worth the effort. Sam Edwards/Getty Images/Caiaimage hide caption
Steve Julian, a radio host with KPCC in Los Angeles, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer last November. He and his wife, Felicia Friesema, turned to social media for solace, support and the space to process their heartbreaking journey. Rachael Myrow/KQED hide caption
Valeant Pharmaceuticals has been the focus of a congressional investigation into high drug prices. . Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption
Debbie Ziegler holds a photo of her late daughter, Brittany Maynard, while speaking to the media in September after the passage of California's End Of Life Option Act. Maynard was an advocate for the law. Carl Costas/AP hide caption
The care an older patient receives often doesn't match what the person wants. Bill Gallery/Doctor Stock/Science Faction/Getty Images hide caption
Van Zyl and Garcia Flores hold hands as van Zyl promises to do everything she can to ease his pain and control symptoms. Heidi de Marco/Kaiser Health New/Heidi de Marco/Kaiser Health News hide caption
What seemed like a burden can become a gift. iStockphoto hide caption
Omar looks through Kai's photo book. The charges for the infant's six months of care in the neonatal intensive care unit totaled about $11 million, according to the family, though their insurer very likely negotiated a lower rate. Heidi de Marco/KHN hide caption
An Ill Newborn, A Loving Family And A Litany Of Wrenching Choices
Kaiser Health News
Doctors may get questions about dosing and timing of medication from patients considering aid in dying. Hero Images/Corbis hide caption
Having a loved one take at least two weeks off work increased the likelihood that terminally ill cancer patients could die at home. iStockphoto hide caption
Jo Ann Farwell, a retired social worker, has a brain tumor; she wanted to make sure her sons were clear about her end-of-life wishes. So, after talking with her doctor, she filled out a form that Oregon provides to ease those family conversations. Alan Sylvestre/Kristian Foden-Vencil/Oregon Public Broadcasting hide caption
Medicare Says Doctors Should Get Paid To Discuss End-Of-Life Issues
Christy O'Donnell, who has advanced lung cancer, is one of several California patients suing for the right to get a doctor's help with prescription medicine to end their own lives if and when they feel that's necessary. YouTube hide caption