What to Know about New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act

For New Yorkers facing their final months, weeks, or days with a terminal illness, what matters most is that this option will soon be available.

First introduced in 2016, this measure has garnered support among a growing chorus of lawmakers, voters, and civic organizations representing the Empire State’s broad diversity. This dynamic group is urging Governor Hochul to lead with love and sign this critical bill without delay.

New Yorkers overwhelmingly support medical aid in dying by a 72-23% margin. Read more about public support here.

Gratitude to Our Advocates and Partners

This progress reflects years of work by advocates, storytellers, family members, clinicians, faith leaders, legal experts, alliance partners, and individual and organizational supporters across New York. Many shared deeply personal experiences about terminal illness, loss, and end-of-life care, helping build understanding and momentum statewide. Some advocated while living with terminal illness themselves; others continued the work after losing loved ones.

We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsors, for their steadfast leadership, and to the many lawmakers, volunteers, coalition partners, and Compassion & Choices staff who began this work and carried our campaign forward year after year.

Send a note of gratitude of your own to your elected officials, Assemblymember Paulin, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Governor Kathy Hochul. 

What This Means for Patients and Families

Medical aid in dying will not be available immediately upon signing. The agreement includes a six-month implementation period, allowing the Department of Health to finalize regulations and healthcare providers to prepare.

During this time, Compassion & Choices will focus on public education and provider engagement so patients, families, and clinicians understand what the law does—and does not do—and how eligible New Yorkers can access it once it takes effect.

Agreed-Upon Amendments

The Legislature is expected to pass amendments to the Medical Aid in Dying Act requested by Governor Hochul, including:

• A mandatory waiting period of 5 days between when a prescription is written and filled, unless the patient’s attending physician believes the patient will die within that period;
• An oral request by the patient for medical aid in dying must be recorded by video or audio and permanently stored in the patient’s medical record;  
• A mandatory mental health evaluation of the patient seeking medical aid in dying by a psychologist, neurologist, or psychiatrist; 
• Strengthening a prohibition against anyone who may benefit financially from the death of a patient from being eligible to serve as a witness to the oral request or an interpreter for the patient;  
• Limiting the availability of medical aid in dying to New York residents;
• Requiring that the initial evaluation of a patient by a physician be in person, unless attending physician believes an in-person visit would result in extraordinary hardship; 
• Allowing religiously-oriented home hospice providers to opt out of offering medical aid in dying, while ensuring a patient receiving hospice care within their own home is not restricted from accessing medical aid in dying; 
• Ensuring that a violation of the law is defined as professional misconduct under the Education Law; and 
• Extending the effective date of the bill to six months after signing to allow the Department of Health to put into place regulations required to implement the law while also ensuring that health care facilities can properly prepare and train staff for compliance.

We will continue to review the final amendment language and share updates as details are finalized.

The Work Ahead

This milestone is significant, but implementation matters. Compassion & Choices remains committed to ensuring this law is understood, implemented thoughtfully, and accessible statewide—not limited by geography, resources, or familiarity with the healthcare system.

We will continue working with the Governor’s office, the Legislature, healthcare providers, and communities across New York—and we stand ready to defend this law if challenged.

What Patients and Families Should Know

The Medical Aid in Dying Act will give eligible, terminally ill New Yorkers the option to request medication from a doctor that they may choose to take to bring about a peaceful death.

If the Legislature passes the agreed-upon amendments and the Governor signs the bill, the law will take effect six months later. During that time, the New York State Department of Health will develop regulations, and healthcare providers will prepare to offer care in compliance with the law.

Medical aid in dying is voluntary for everyone involved. No patient is required to pursue it. No healthcare provider, pharmacist, or hospice is required to participate.

Compassion & Choices will provide clear, accurate information to help patients and families understand:

• Who may be eligible
  
  
• How the process works
  
  
• What safeguards are in place
  
  
• How to find support and resources when the law takes effect
  
  

So please keep your eyes on this page for updates!

Our goal is to ensure that New Yorkers who qualify for this option can access it without confusion, fear, or unnecessary barriers.