The Medical Aid in Dying Act
Medical aid in dying is the practice in which a terminally ill, mentally capable adult patient voluntarily requests and receives a prescription medication from a physician that they can self-administer to die peacefully. This allows patients to end their lives on their own terms. Medical aid in dying is authorized in 14 jurisdictions with regulations varying by jurisdiction to ensure that the process is carried out ethically and safely.
The Medical Aid in Dying Act was signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul on February 6, 2026. The law goes into effect on August 5, 2026.
At time of writing, the NYS Department of Health is developing regulations pertaining to this law. The information in this booklet will be updated once rules and guidance have been set forth.
Eligibility
To be eligible to choose medical aid in dying under the law, the individual must be:
- An adult (aged 18 or older)
- Terminally ill with a prognosis of six months or less to live
- Mentally capable of making their own healthcare decisions
- Able to self-administer the medication through an affi rmative, conscious, voluntary act to ingest it. Self-administration does not include injection or infusion via a vein or any other parenteral route by any person, including the healthcare provider, family member, or patient themselves
- A resident of New York State
