Corinne Carey, Compassion & Choices’ senior campaign director for New York/New Jersey, offered heartfelt thanks to the New York State Senate – particularly Senators Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins – on behalf of the organization, the hundreds and thousands of advocates, and her team that has been working toward this victory for a decade, for giving final passage to New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.136/S.138). The Assembly passed the bill in April.
Eleven states, including New Jersey and Vermont, as well as Washington, D.C., and most recently, Delaware, have authorized medical aid in dying, which allows a terminally ill, mentally capable adult with six months or less to live to request a prescription from their doctor for medication they can take to die peacefully if their pain or suffering becomes too great. Over the last quarter-century, more than one-third of patients requesting the prescription never used it, experiencing great peace of mind simply knowing that the option was available to them.
Carey said: “New York lawmakers are leading with love. They have recognized how important it is to give terminally ill New Yorkers the autonomy they deserve over their own end-of-life experiences. The option of medical aid in dying provides comfort, allowing those who are dying to live their time more fully and peacefully until the end. I am profoundly grateful to Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins for giving her conference the space to have this important and emotional discussion. Deep thanks as well to Senators Hoylman-Sigal and Scarcella-Spanton.
“We look forward to Governor Hochul signing the legislation to make New York the 12th state and 13th jurisdiction in the US to authorize medical aid in dying,” Carey said.
Dr. Jeremy Boal, Columbia County, is an internist, geriatrician, and physician executive, who stepped down from his role as Chief Clinical Officer of the Mount Sinai Health System after receiving a diagnosis of ALS. Dr. Boal said: “Knowing I can access medical aid in dying – because I’m fortunate to have the means to establish residency in a state where medical aid in dying is legal – has freed me from fear of the future and allowed me to live what remains of my life as fully as possible. But I want to stay in my home in New York up to and including when I die. And I want all New Yorkers who are terminally ill to be able to feel that sense of comfort, control, and autonomy so that they can get back to living, too. That’s why I’m profoundly grateful to both the Senate and the Assembly and their leaders for passing the bill. I pray that Governor Hochul will soon sign it into law.”
Charmaine Manansala, Chief Advocacy Officer for Compassion & Choices, said: “If Governor Hochul signs the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law, New York will become the 12th state — adding to the momentum, after Delaware became the 11th state last month – to authorize medical aid in dying, which is all about comfort, autonomy and compassion. Compassion & Choices is profoundly grateful to the leadership, sponsors and supporters of the Medical Aid in Dying Act in both houses of the Legislature. And we urge the Governor to make it the law of New York as quickly as possible.”
Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Senate Sponsor of Medical Aid in Dying, said: “Thanks to the leadership of Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, Assemblymember Paulin and Speaker Heastie, New York has made history by passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act through both houses of the State Legislature. It’s been a long road but thanks to the dedicated activists from groups like Compassion & Choices we have built the broadest coalition ever assembled of doctors, nurses, patients and legal advocates from across New York to support this bill. MAID is a proven strategy to expand end-of-life options and reduce human suffering for patients with a terminal illness that is already in effect in eleven states and the District of Columbia, in addition to being supported by nearly 70% of New Yorkers. I am looking forward to the Governor signing this bill into law so that New York can become the 12th state to finally give New Yorkers access to this compassionate and dignified end of life care option.”
Assemblymember Amy Paulin, Assembly Sponsor of Medical Aid in Dying, said: “I’m overjoyed that the Senate is now joining the Assembly in passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act — a truly historic and compassionate step forward for New York. After more than a decade of advocacy, we are finally on the brink of giving terminally ill New Yorkers the autonomy and dignity they deserve at life’s end. This legislation is about easing needless suffering and honoring deeply personal choices. I’m proud to be making history alongside Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, whose leadership and partnership have been extraordinary.”
Iris Dudman, 75, of Hastings, who is living with brain cancer, said: “I know I don’t have a lot of time left, and if things get bad in the end, I want the option of medical aid in dying to avoid the pain and suffering that is likely to come. I’m so proud and appreciative of my Senator, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, for her leadership and courage in getting this bill over the finish line. If Governor Hochul signs the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law, I will be able to live the rest of my life – and hopefully I beat the odds – with the peace of mind knowing the option exists should I need it.”
Jake Moffett, son of Brian Moffett, who died of ALS last summer, wanting to be the first New Yorkers to use the Medical Aid in Dying Act, said: “If only this had happened a year earlier, it would have made my dad’s ending so much more peaceful. While it’s too late for my dad, I know he’d be so grateful to all the senators and assemblymembers who supported this bill. It’s not too late for the thousands of New Yorkers who are still fighting for the right to die with dignity and without suffering. If Governor Hochul believes in compassion, mercy and love, she will soon sign it into law. In memory of Brian Moffett and the too many others who died while advocating for this option.”
Jules Netherland, of the Bronx, who is living with Stage 4 cancer, said: “I am a New Yorker who has been living with incurable metastatic breast cancer for more than two years. Medical aid in dying isn’t about ending my life, or any life, prematurely. This is about autonomy. When my time comes, I want the option for a peaceful and beautiful death. Everything about cancer treatment is hard; my death shouldn’t have to be. So, thank you senators and assemblymembers for passing the bill. Please, Governor Hochul do the right thing and sign it into law.”
Stacey Gibson, of Garrison, who witnessed her husband, Sid, die a horrible death after he stopped eating and drinking, said: “When my husband and best friend, Sid Gibson, died in 2014 from a debilitating progressive neurological disease, he did not have any legal options to die in a way that was in keeping with his values and wishes. At the end of his life, he instructed me to find a path to ensure that other New Yorkers would not suffer as he had. I promised him I would do so. I have had the privilege of advocating for the Medical Aid in Dying Act for 10 years. I am beyond appreciative of what both the Senate and Assembly have done and I hope beyond hope that Governor Hochul will sign the bill into law.”
Lindsay Wright, of Manhattan, whose husband, Youssef Cohen, died a painful death while unsuccessfully seeking the option of medical aid in dying, said: “In 2016, my late husband, Youssef Cohen, became the first public advocate for medical aid in dying in New York. He was passionate about giving terminally ill New Yorkers a choice to end their lives without suffering. I’ve been telling Youssef’s story to legislators for nine years to persuade them to pass this act. The Legislature has finally listened and I am eternally grateful, as I know Youssef would be. Please, Governor Hochul, sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law.”
Melissa Milch, of Amherst, whose father, Dr. Robert Milch, co-founded Hospice Buffalo and advocated for this bill, said: “My father, Dr. Robert Milch, was a fierce advocate for end-of-life care and a staunch supporter of medical aid in dying. Before he passed away on June 4, 2021, my son promised him that we would not rest until the Medical Aid in Dying Act was passed in New York State. How I wish he was here to speak with and applaud the senators and assemblymembers for the courage to pass the bill. In my mind’s eye I can see my dad turning to Governor Hochul… his look says it all: Do this. Carry on. Sign the Medical Aid in Dying Act into law.”
Nancy Murphy, of Vermontville, NY, who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and watched her sister legally access medical aid in dying in Vermont, said: “My sister, Joan Kline, died August 9, 2016, using Vermont’s medical aid in dying law. She believed that people should have choices at the end of life. Our family understood and agreed with her position. On the day she decided, my husband and I, her two sons, daughter, and daughter-in-law, minister, a good friend and a hospice nurse gathered around her. We opened a bottle of champagne and toasted her, each person saying what she had meant to them, and telling her we loved her. She thanked each of us, told us that she loved us. We handed her the medicine, which she drank. As she slowly drifted into a deep sleep, we held her hands and put our hands on her body. She died two hours later. It was so peaceful. As I have recently been diagnosed with cancer, I know I want the same option in my home in New York. So, thank you legislators for being brave and strong and passing the bill. We’re all looking at you, Governor Hochul, please sign it into law.”
Susan Rahn, of Webster, who has been living with metastatic breast cancer for 12 years, said: “I’m a terminally ill New Yorker. I’ve been living with incurable breast cancer since 2013. I don’t want to die. I want to live. I’ve been supporting the Medical Aid in Dying Act for over 10 years. Thank you to the New York State Senate, thank you the Assembly, and thank you, in advance, Governor Hochul. I know you will put my mind at ease – and the minds of so many other terminally ill New Yorkers – by signing this important legislation into law.”
Cassandra Domingos Johnston, of Clifton Park, who is living with breast cancer, said: “As a cancer patient, the most important thing to me as a New York citizen right now is having medical aid in dying become the law in New York. None of us deserve to suffer a nightmare death when a peaceful option with dignity exists. It’s not a controversial bill, unless you believe that the terminally ill don’t have rights to their own body and shouldn’t be allowed a peaceful death. I thank every single lawmaker who has stood behind and voted for this bill from the bottom of my heart. I am confident that Governor Hochul will help protect autonomy and human rights – as she has consistently done as Governor – and make medical aid in dying a legal option for dying New Yorkers.”
Barb Thomas, of Saratoga Springs, whose husband was terminally ill with brain cancer and asked her to shoot him, rather than let him suffer, said: “As the League of Women Voters point person on this issue I’m overjoyed that Medical Aid in Dying has finally passed in both the Senate and the Assembly. My husband, Bob Thomas, who wanted me to shoot him to put him out of the misery caused by his incurable brain cancer, would have applauded Leader Stewart-Cousins and Speaker Heastie for guiding this bill through their houses. We now await action by Governor Hochul, who I am convinced has heard the pleas from both the living and deceased advocates, and will make medical aid in dying a legal option in New York.”
Arelis Torres, of Queens, whose wife, currently in remission from cancer, said, “My wife bravely fought cancer undergoing an aggressive treatment. If the cancer returns, she likely will not seek treatment to combat it. I don’t want her to suffer and endure immeasurable pain as she waits for the moment of inevitable death. I believe in quality of life. Supporting her in her wishes is the greatest show of love and respect for her individuality and decision-making. Dying with peace and dignity from a terminal illness should be a right we all have. The Legislature has recognized this important right – to which I gratefully say, ‘Gracias, gracias, gracias’ – now Governor Hochul must do the same, and stand in support of terminally ill New Yorkers.”
Daren Eilert, the father of Ayla Eilert, who died three years ago in Manhattan, where she lived the last years of her life, said: “Ayla Eilert was just 24 when cancer overtook even the best palliative care and left her crying out for relief. I witnessed her repeated calls for help that no medicine could answer. In her final days, Ayla urged her mother and me to advocate for medical aid in dying so that others wouldn’t have to suffer as she did. Three years later, I’m still struck by Ayla’s compassion, even as she was dying. Thank you to all the New York legislators who voted yes, honoring Ayla’s plea: ‘Love each other more… especially the hard ones… they’re the ones that need it the most.’ And thank you in advance, Governor Hochul, I truly hope you will show New Yorkers love and compassion.”
Ethan Milich, of Buffalo, whose mother died of metastatic kidney cancer, said: “Mom fought this aggressive disease longer than her doctors thought she would. She met with legislators via zoom and talked to them via the news media, urging support for medical aid in dying. In hospice, my mom suffered greatly. She suffered so much in the final days. She was never afraid of death. She had a fear of suffering. And her fears were sadly well founded. In honor of Jennifer Milich, my mom, I thank the Senate and Leader Stewart-Cousins for passing the Medical Aid in Dying Act. Now it’s up to you, Governor. Please sign the bill into law.”
Kate Sanford, of Accord, NY, whose son, Benjamin, died of cancer while suffering greatly, said: “To the lawmakers and tireless supporters who fought to pass this bill, thank you. I’ve seen the overwhelming need first-hand, when my adult son Benjamin was dying of cancer and suffering in pain. He desperately wanted this choice to give him peace of mind and to end his life with dignity, with his loved ones by his side. I have been proudly advocating for this bill in his honor. I hope other patients and families can take comfort when this bill becomes law after Governor Hochul signs it, knowing there is a humane path if they choose.”
Darren Chervitz, of Riverdale, a young dad with two daughters, who has Stage 3 prostate cancer, said: “Last year, I was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 prostate cancer, which forced me to confront what it means to be mortal. For the past several months, I have been in an experimental clinical trial to shrink my tumors, and recently I had surgery to remove my prostate and hopefully rid my body of cancer. But I know there are no guarantees with cancer, as is true with life. And if one day I am facing a diagnosis of a terminal illness, what a comfort it would be to know that medical aid in dying will be an option. This bill isn’t about giving up – it’s about giving people the freedom to choose how they face the end, surrounded by love, dignity, and peace. It’s unfortunate that it has taken this long but I understand the political realities. Ultimately, we live in a state where Liberty means so much, so thank you legislators. Now, Governor Hochul, finish the job signing this bill into law and showing the world what it means to honor both life and death.”
The Medical Aid in Dying Act has received support from numerous important medical, legal and other statewide associations, including (for full list, click here):
Compassion & Choices
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