Last updated on August 26th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Illinois’ largest health system has announced that it will not participate in the state’s new assisted suicide law, joining several other healthcare providers that have opted out of the controversial practice.
Advocate Health Care, which operates 11 hospitals along with numerous medical facilities across Illinois, confirmed its decision following an internal review.
“After an extensive and careful review, Advocate Health has determined we will not participate in MAID at our facilities, employed practices or as part of our programs and services,” the health system announced.
Illinois’ so-called “Medical Aid in Dying” law is scheduled to take effect in September. It allows adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and given less than six months to live to obtain medication intended to end their lives. Patients must make both written and verbal requests and repeat the verbal request after a waiting period.
Pro-life advocates welcomed Advocate Health’s decision. Barbara Lyons of the End Assisted Suicide Coalition said it is “critical” that healthcare systems and individual physicians refuse to participate, particularly to protect elderly, disabled, and medically vulnerable patients.
Advocate is not alone. Catholic-affiliated providers including OSF HealthCare, Ascension, and Hospital Sisters Health System previously announced that they would not participate. OSF said physician-assisted suicide is “fundamentally inconsistent” with its mission of respecting the dignity of every human person.
The law itself was passed amid considerable controversy. After assisted-suicide legislation initially failed to advance through the Illinois General Assembly, the provision was incorporated into an unrelated bill dealing with food preparation. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the legislation in December 2025, despite Pope Leo XIV having personally urged him to veto it during a Vatican meeting.
With Advocate Health now opting out, opponents hope other Illinois hospitals and physicians will follow before the law takes effect.
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