New York lawmakers approve bill allowing medically assisted suicide for terminally ill people
that legalizes the right of terminally ill people to end their lives is on its way to Gov. Kathy Hochul's desk.
It's not clear .
The measure is known as "MAID," or medical aid in dying. The state Assembly passed the measure in late April.
A version of it is legal in New Jersey, which is one of 11 U.S. state that allows terminally ill people to end their lives after consulting with doctors.
"It's not about hastening death, but ending suffering," said state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Democrat who sponsored the proposal.
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin says the New York bill is a compassionate measure for people with painful illness who are facing death within six months.
"And those are the people who fear the pain at the end, who might want to have the security of knowing they have the drugs that can free them of that pain," Paulin said.
"We should not be in the business of state-authorized suicide"
The bill passed the Democratic-controlled state senate Monday, even after six Democrats broke with their party and voted "no." Opponents are urging Hochul to veto the measure. They have argued the state should instead improve end-of-life medical care or have objected on religious grounds.
"We should not be in the business of state-authorized suicide," said state Sen. George Borrello, a Republican.
"We're saying as a society 'sometimes suicide is okay.' That's a terrible message for our youth. That's a terrible message for everyone," Dennis Proust of the New York Catholic Conference said.
The New York bill requires a prognosis of six months or less to live that's confirmed by two doctors. Doctors can request a psychiatric exam, and the patient must make a written request for medication to end their lives, signed by two witnesses who are not beneficiaries of the patient's estate.
The legislation was first introduced in 2016, Hoylman-Sigal said, though it has stalled year after year in the New York statehouse.
In New Jersey during 2023, 101 people took advantage of medical aid in dying. Of them, 81% were over 65, 57% were female, and 95% were white.
Hochul has not indicated if she will sign the New York bill. Her office only says she's reviewing the legislation.
Eleven other states and Washington, D.C., have laws allowing medically assisted suicide, according to Compassion & Choices, an advocacy organization that backs the policy. Corinne Carey, the group's local campaign director, said lawmakers had "recognized how important it is to give terminally ill New Yorkers the autonomy they deserve over their own end-of-life experiences."
"The option of medical aid in dying provides comfort, allowing those who are dying to live their time more fully and peacefully until the end," said Carey.
