Map Shows States Where Doctor-Assisted Suicide Is Legal as NY Bill Advances
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The New York State Assembly has approved legislation that would allow physician-assisted suicide, a first in either chamber of the state legislature.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act passed by a vote of 81-67 and would enable mentally competent, terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request a prescription for life-ending medication, subject to multiple safeguards.
Why It Matters
Should the bill become law, New York would become the 11th jurisdiction in the United States to permit physician-assisted suicide through legislation.
At the moment, the practice is legal in Oregon, Washington, Vermont, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico and the District of Columbia. In Montana, it is permitted through a court ruling, not statutory law.
Proponents of the law argue it offers terminally ill patients a choice to avoid prolonged suffering.
New York State Assembly Member Amy Paulin, who has sponsored the bill since 2016, has spoken of her sister's painful death from ovarian cancer. "She shouted out every five minutes, 'When am I going to die already? The pain is so severe,'" Paulin recalled.
What To Know
The legislation requires approval from both an attending and consulting physician and allows for a mental health evaluation if there's any concern over the patient's decision-making capacity. Senate Bill S138 contains parallel provisions and is currently in the Senate Health Committee.
The legislation lays out specific conditions and procedural requirements. A patient must make a written request, confirmed by at least two physicians. It explicitly prohibits coercion and mandates that patients administer the drugs themselves.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins has not yet committed to a floor vote, although she acknowledged the issue is under discussion. "The conversation had begun in earnest last year," she told City & State New York media outlet.
The legislation has its opponents as well. New York Representative Elise Stefanik, a Republican, issued a scathing statement condemning the Medical Aid in Dying Act and its supporters.
"The New York State Assembly's decision to pass this disgusting assisted suicide bill is a shameful attack on the sanctity of life and a betrayal of our most vulnerable citizens," Stefanik said.
"This radical legislation, driven by Governor [Kathy] Hochul's Far Left allies, normalizes the termination of human life under the guise of 'compassion,' putting the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill at risk of coercion and despair. As a proud pro-life advocate, I am appalled that Albany Democrats would prioritize this culture of death over protecting the dignity and worth of every New Yorker."
Dr. Yves de Locht, left, and Wim Distelmans, professor in palliative care, second from left, arrive in the hospital room for the euthanasia of Lydie Imhoff, center, as caregiver Marie-Josee Rousseaux, right, holds her hand...
Dr. Yves de Locht, left, and Wim Distelmans, professor in palliative care, second from left, arrive in the hospital room for the euthanasia of Lydie Imhoff, center, as caregiver Marie-Josee Rousseaux, right, holds her hand in a Belgian hospital on February 1, 2024. More
SIMON WOHLFAHRT/AFP via Getty Images
What People Are Saying
Stefanik said in a statement: "This bill undermines the fundamental principle that all life is sacred, a value I have fought for in Congress. Instead of investing in palliative care, mental health support, and life-affirming resources for those facing terminal illness, this legislation offers an immoral shortcut that devalues human life. It sends a chilling message to our seniors and disabled communities that their lives are expendable."
"New Yorkers deserve better than Far Left policies that erode our moral foundation and push families toward heartbreak. I call on the State Senate to reject this dangerous bill and stand up for the voiceless. As the representative of New York's 21st District, I will continue to champion life at every stage and fight against the extremist agenda of Hochul and her Albany Democrats. We must restore New York's commitment to the protection of all its citizens."
New York state Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill's Senate sponsor, told City & State New York: "I know we have the votes. It's a matter of continuing to raise the issue with leadership."
What Happens Next
The bill awaits further action in the Senate. If passed, it would advance to Hochul, who has not yet publicly taken a position on the measure.
If fully enacted, New York would become the 10th U.S. state to allow doctor-assisted suicide, alongside its neighbor New Jersey.
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