The topic of euthanasia/assisted suicide in the United States is emotionally charged. due to grassroots efforts, patient-initiated lawsuits, and attempts to punish those participating in physician-assisted suicide, the issue has been brought into the public eye and will not disappear. Nurses are challenged to consider this debate objectively in order to support public policy that leads to sensitive and appropriate patient care. This policy analysis examines how the issues of assisted suicide and euthanasia are being dealt with both nationally and internationally, and considers various policy options.