Governor Kathy Hochul is backing New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act. The law lets terminally ill adults with less than six months to live request life-ending medication. Hochul cited her mother's death from ALS as a personal reason for her support. New York will become the thirteenth state with such a law once it takes effect.
The legislation has strict rules to prevent abuse. Patients must be state residents and get a mental health evaluation. They need to make two verbal requests and one written request, with one session recorded. A five-day waiting period is required after the prescription is written. Religious hospitals can opt out of providing the procedure.
The bill faced a long fight before this point. Catholic leaders, like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, strongly oppose it, calling it assisted suicide that targets vulnerable people. Supporters, including State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, call it a compassionate win for personal choice. The law is scheduled to start in January 2026.
The legislation has strict rules to prevent abuse. Patients must be state residents and get a mental health evaluation. They need to make two verbal requests and one written request, with one session recorded. A five-day waiting period is required after the prescription is written. Religious hospitals can opt out of providing the procedure.
The bill faced a long fight before this point. Catholic leaders, like Cardinal Timothy Dolan, strongly oppose it, calling it assisted suicide that targets vulnerable people. Supporters, including State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, call it a compassionate win for personal choice. The law is scheduled to start in January 2026.
