ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York state Legislature has passed a groundbreaking bill that would enable terminally ill residents to choose to end their lives with prescribed medications. The legislation, which has now moved to the governor’s office, stipulates that individuals suffering from incurable ailments can request life-ending drugs, contingent upon approval from two separate physicians. A representative for New York Governor Kathy Hochul indicated that she would conduct a thorough review of the legislation.
After hours of intense debate, the New York Senate gave its final nod to the bill late Monday, with advocates presenting it as a compassionate option for terminally ill individuals to die with dignity. State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, a Democrat who championed the measure, emphasized that the intention is not to accelerate death but rather to alleviate suffering.
Nonetheless, the proposal met with opposition from those who believe enhanced end-of-life care should be prioritized, or who question the measure on religious or ethical grounds. Republican State Senator George Borrello voiced concerns, stating, “We should not be in the business of state-authorized suicide.”
This measure, which had already passed the state Assembly in late April, dictates specific criteria. It requires terminally ill individuals, with a life expectancy of no more than six months, to submit a written request for the medication. This request must be corroborated by two witnesses to ensure no coercion is involved. The proposal also necessitates the approval from both the patient’s attending physician and a consulting physician before the medication can be prescribed.
Though the legislation was initially introduced in 2016, it had repeatedly stalled in the statehouse over the years. Dennis Poust, the executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, expressed dismay over the bill’s passage, describing it as “a dark day for New York State.”
Across the United States, eleven states and Washington, D.C., have already enacted laws permitting medically assisted suicide, a policy supported by advocacy groups like Compassion & Choices. Corinne Carey, the director of the local campaign for the group, praised lawmakers for recognizing the critical importance of offering terminally ill New Yorkers autonomy over their end-of-life choices. Carey stated that the option for medical aid in dying offers solace, allowing those facing death to savor their remaining days more fully and peacefully.