The New York Medical Aid in Dying Act is in effect as of 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.
The New York State Department of Health released proposed regulations on June 3, 2026, providing guidance on how the law will be administered and establishing procedures for providers and healthcare organizations. Additionally, on July 27, 2026, the Department of Health published further guidance to their website, geared toward patients, families, and caregivers. For official information, visit the New York State Department of Health’s Medical Aid in Dying webpage.
You can see information about the regulations and the forthcoming guidance by visiting the Department’s website by clicking this link.
Send a note of gratitude of your own to your elected officials, Assemblymember Paulin, Senator Hoylman-Sigal, and Governor Kathy Hochul.
Medical aid in dying is for people who are already dying. It is a lawful medical option for qualified adults with a terminal illness, a prognosis of six months or less to live, who can make their own healthcare decisions and have the ability to take the medication themselves.
Medical aid in dying is not suicide or euthanasia. Compassion & Choices supports people seeking information about lawful end-of-life care options in the United States. We do not provide instructions or guidance for ending your life outside supportive medical care.
If you are feeling overwhelmed, in crisis, or thinking about suicide, help is available right now. You are not alone, and your pain deserves care. Call 988, text 988, or chat with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at https://988lifeline.org/chat/
Compassion & Choices President & CEO Kim Callinan today vowed to intensify the campaign to pass New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act in 2023 and demand that legislators either support the bill or explain why they are turning their backs on their dying, suffering constituents at a Manhattan news conference today. “With an intensified campaign by…
“Fue una manera pacífica, tranquila y verdaderamente hermosa de terminar una vida”. Corinne Carey, directora de campaña de Nueva York para Compassion & Choices, dijo que la campaña para convertir a Nueva York en el onceavo estado en autorizar la ayuda médica para morir ha sido todo un éxito, emocionando a los que la apoyan…
Corinne Carey, directora de campaña de Nueva York para Compassion & Choices, dijo que la campaña para convertir a Nueva York en el onceavo estado en autorizar la ayuda médica para morir se intensificará y continuará tratando de lograr el compromiso en cada rincón del estado. Carey y varios residentes locales participaron hoy en una…
“It was such a peaceful, gentle, truly beautiful way to end a life.”Compassion & Choices Senior New York Campaign Director Corinne Carey said that the campaign to make New York the 11th state to authorize medical aid in dying has been a huge success, energizing supporters and advocates. Carey and advocates participated in a Syracuse news conference…
“Patient decisions must not be limited at the end of life. Legislators, get this done.” I beg legislators to help me fulfill her last wish & pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act.” Compassion & Choices Senior New York Campaign Director Corinne Carey said that the campaign to make New York the 11th state to authorize medical aid in…
“No hay manera de explicar el sentimiento de impotencia, temor y angustia al verlo sufrir” Su temor de no tener la opción de una muerte pacífica se hizo realidad…una muerte lenta y llena de sufrimiento Corinne Carey, directora de campaña de Nueva York para Compassion & Choices, suplico a legisladores estatales del Oeste de Nueva…
Compassion & Choices Senior New York Campaign Director Corinne Carey implored state legislators from Western New York and across the state to ease the suffering of too many terminally ill New Yorkers at the end of life by passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act in 2023. Carey was joined at a Buffalo news conference today –…
Corrine Carey, directora de campaña de NY para Compassion & Choices exigió a los legisladores que dejen de ignorar a los habitantes del estado de Nueva York que sufren al final de la vida. Lo hizo hoy, durante una conferencia de prensa en Lake Placid, al lanzar una campaña comunitaria de dos meses en todo…
“Aid-in-dying laws lead to increase in hospice care & improved end-of-life care” “LAWMAKERS MUST STOP TURNING THEIR BACKS ON NYERS SUFFERING AT THE END OF LIFE” Compassion & Choices Senior New York Campaign Director Corrine Carey urged legislators to stop turning their backs on New Yorkers suffering at the end of life, as she kicked…
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