Albany, N.Y. (WBEN) — The New York State Assembly passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act late Tuesday night, which would allow terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives.
“This is about giving individuals autonomy, dignity, and choice at the end of their lives,” Speaker Carl Heastie said.
“This legislation will give people the ability to choose to go peacefully in their sleep, and ensure that there are critical safeguards in place.”
“For a decade, we have fought for this compassionate, commonsense legislation,” said Assemblymember Amy Paulin.
“Today, we honor the brave advocates we have lost and fulfill a promise to countless New Yorkers who deserve autonomy, dignity, and peace at life’s end.”
The Medical Aid in Dying Act provides mentally competent, terminally ill adults who have been given a prognosis of six months or less to live the ability to request medication from their treating physician for medical aid in dying.
The legislation requires at least two physicians to determine that the patient has the capacity to make an informed decision regarding this request.
Insurers will only be allowed to provide information on medical aid in dying to patients when requested by the patient or physician.
Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay strongly opposes the bill. “Assembly Democrats today passed a bill to allow suicide-by-doctor in New York, taking a dangerous step that carries irreparable consequences. By inserting its authority into one of the most important aspects of human life—the decision to end it—they have crossed a line they have no business approaching,” Barclay said.