Barbara Coombs Lee

Barbara Coombs Lee serves as the longtime president of the nonprofit Compassion & Choices, which according to its website, is “committed to helping everyone have the best death possible.” Coombs Lee and her organization work to lessen the suffering of the terminally ill and give them control in their last days. They offer free consultation, resources for planning and referrals. They also advocate on the state and national level for right-to-die legislation and laws to ensure people receive full information and access to end-of-life care options, including the choice to refuse care. Coombs Lee previously spent 25 years as a nurse practitioner and physician assistant, often caring for dying patients. She then became an attorney and worked in health policy, advocating for personal choice in health care. She co-authored the Oregon Death with Dignity bill and served as a senior adviser for the Washington state Death with Dignity ballot initiative.