“I am deeply grateful to the sponsors of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act A995a/S2445a, Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and the dozens of lawmakers who have joined our effort to improve end-of-life care by expanding options for terminally ill adults in the Empire State. With their leadership — and the work of hundreds of New Yorkers and partner organizations like the Completed Life Initiative, Death with Dignity National Center, Death with Dignity-Albany, and End of Life Choices New York, all of whom have built support for this compassionate legislation — we made tremendous strides this year and we now have more than enough votes to pass the bill,” said Compassion & Choices Senior New York Campaign Director Corinne Carey.

“Unfortunately, legislative leaders failed to bring the bill to the floor for a vote, leaving countless terminally ill New Yorkers and their families without the compassionate option that our neighbors in Vermont, New Jersey, and 8 other states and Washington, D.C. now have.”

“We know public opinion is strongly on our side,” concluded Carey. “We just need to help lawmakers understand that medical aid in dying is not a risky political issue. It’s a winning political issue that will allow lawmakers to show voters they have compassion for their terminally ill constituents and their families. Voters will be forever grateful to lawmakers for passing legislation that will provide comfort and peace of mind to their dying loved ones.”