May 23, 2016: The New York State Assembly Health Committee, by a 14-11 margin, has passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act! This is an historic and unprecedented first step towards expanding end-of-life options for all New Yorkers. The bill would allow a terminally ill, mentally competent adult to request a lethal dose of medication that can be self-administered. It has numerous provisions that fully protect patients’ rights, and it ensures that such decisions are made voluntarily and in full consultation with and support of medical professionals.
Much of the credit for this victory is due to the leadership of our partner, Compassion & Choices NY, and to the support of volunteers. Dedicated volunteers from Death with Dignity-Albany, Compassion & Choices, and End of Life Choices NY wrote letters to legislators, visited them in their district offices, participated in Lobby Day on May 10, made phone calls asking for support, and collected signatures on petitions. According to Corinne Carey of Compassion & Choices, “More than 1,300 supporters like you sent more than 2,600 letters to lawmakers, and dozens of volunteers made 100 more calls — thank you for all you did to move this bill forward.” It made a difference!
We celebrate this victory with the understanding that this is only the first step in what will be a lengthy and challenging legislative process. Much more work needs to be done to ensure that New Yorkers have legal access to appropriate end-of-life options. The opposition is strong, but with your continuing help and support we are confident that ultimately the Medical Aid in Dying Act will become law in New York State.
Death with Dignity-Albany Director Bonnie Edelstein said, “We are very gratified that the Assembly Health Committee approved the bill with unusual speed – in just 13 days after it was introduced. It is modeled after Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act, which has been in effect for nearly 20 years and has worked exactly as intended, with no problems. Four additional states now permit medical aid in dying, including Washington, California, Montana and Vermont.”
Great credit for the success of this effort must go to Richard Gottfried, Health Committee Chair, the sponsors of this legislation, Sen. Diane Savino and Assembly Member Amy Paulin, along with the bill’s co-sponsors.
Here are the Assembly Health Committee members who voted for the Medical Aid in Dying Act:
Richard Gottfried, Committee Chair (D-Manhattan)
Thomas J. Abinanti (D-Greenburgh)
Edward Braunstein (D-Queens)
Jeffery Dinowitz (D-Bronx)
Janet L. Duprey (R-Plattsburgh)
Sandra Galef (D- Ossining)
Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens)
Ellen Jaffee (D-Suffern)
Ronald Kim (D-Queens)
Charles D. Lavine (D-Glen Cove)
Amy Paulin (D-Scarsdale)
Linda B. Rosenthal (D-Manhattan)
Phillip G. Steck (D-Loudonville)
Matthew Titone (D-Staten Island)
We would not have been able to celebrate today without their work.
As a result of this victory, Compassion & Choices NY is asking supporters of the Medical Aid in Dying Act to sign their thank-you card to the lawmakers who supported the bill. Click here: http://www.compassionandchoices.org/new-york/thank-supporters-of-the-medical-aid-in-dying-act/
It’s important that we take some time to thank our sponsors and show them that we appreciate them taking a stand for end-of-life options. If legislators know the community is behind them, it will ensure that they continue to support this vital legislation.