Medical aid in dying is now authorized in New York. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on February 6, 2026. The law will take effect on August 5, 2026, expanding end-of-life options for terminally ill New Yorkers and affirming their right to make informed, compassionate decisions at the end of life.
This landmark achievement is the result of more than a decade of advocacy led by Compassion & Choices, alongside allied organizations and hundreds of New Yorkers who shared their stories, raised their voices, and urged lawmakers to act. Together, they helped build the understanding and momentum necessary to pass this long-awaited legislation.
Compassion & Choices extends deep gratitude to Governor Hochul for signing the bill into law, and to the legislative champions who made this moment possible: Assemblymember Amy Paulin, who carried the bill from its original introduction in 2015 through enactment; Senator Diane Savino, who advanced the legislation during key years; Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who shepherded it through passage in both chambers; and Senator Gustavo Rivera, who sponsored the bill at the finish line.
Additional information about implementation, guidance, and access will be posted as it becomes available. Please check back on this page for updates, and visit our events page for information about upcoming educational and community events.
Send a note of gratitude of your own to your elected officials, Assemblymember Paulin, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Governor Kathy Hochul.
Una encuesta reciente de YouGov poll mostró que los neoyorquinos apoyan abrumadoramente la ayuda médica para morir, ( 72-23%), incluyendo las fuertes mayorías de demócratas, depublicanos e independientes, así como de negros, blancos, latinos, asiáticos y votantes de cada region del estado.
A recent YouGov poll showed New Yorkers overwhelmingly support medical aid in dying, 72-23%, including strong majorities of Democrats, Republicans and independents, as well as Black, white, Latino, and Asian voters, and voters from every region of the state.
New York’s 2024 legislative session ended in June without passage of the Medical Aid in Dying Act. The session marked nine years of advocacy for medical aid-in-dying legislation in Alban
Terminally ill New Yorkers who had hoped to have medical aid in dying available to them in their final days expressed theri extreme disappointment in the Legislature’s failure to act.
Campaña para Autorizar Ayuda Médica para Morir en 2025 Empieza Hoy Mismo
Corinne Carey, senior New York campaign director of Compassion & Choices, applauded the New York State Council of Churches for issuing a memo in support of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act.
A native New York filmmaker, Serene Meshel-Dillman, chronicles her parents’ use of California’s End of Life Option Act and other terminally ill advocates for medical aid in dying across the country in a new documentary series streaming now on Amazon Prime Video: “Take Me Out Feet First.”
Lifelong New Yorker Brian Moffett, 66, who hopes to be the first person to use New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act because he is dying of ALS and wants to pass peacefully, was visited Monday by Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-Staten Island) and Assembly Member Amanda Septimo (D-Bronx) at a Manhattan rehab facility.
Corinne Carey, Compassion & Choices’ Senior Campaign Director for NY/NJ, and terminally ill Bronx resident Jules Netherland, issued the following statements in conjunction with their arrest Tuesday for civil disobedience (official charge is anticipated to be disorderly conduct) – and the arrest of nine other advocates in support of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act.
To receive personalized support, resources, and information.
Leave a message at 800.247.7421 to get connected.
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or prefer written communication, you are welcome to reach us by email at [email protected]
Mail contributions directly to:
Compassion & Choices Gift Processing Center
PO Box 485
Etna, NH 03750
Compassion & Choices is a 501 C3 organization. Federal tax number: 84-1328829
