New York governor says she has reached a deal to legalize medically assisted suicide
ALBANY, New York — New York State Gov. Kathy Hochul said Wednesday she has reached an agreement with state legislative leaders to approve a bill giving terminally ill people the legal option to end their lives with prescribed medications.
In an article in the Albany Times Union, Hochul said she supported the proposal but reached an agreement with lawmakers to include “guardrails” in the measure before signing it.
Hochul, a Catholic, said she made the decision after hearing from New Yorkers “in the throes of pain and suffering” and their children, while also considering opposition “from individuals of many faiths who believe that deliberately shortening life violates the sanctity of life.”
“I was taught that God is merciful and compassionate, and we should be too,” she wrote. “This includes allowing a merciful option for those who face the unimaginable and seek comfort in their final months of this life. »
A dozen other states and the District of Columbia allow physician-assisted suicide, advocates say. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation Friday that will allow the state’s terminally ill residents to choose to end their lives.
New York State’s medical assistance in dying law requires a terminally ill person who is expected to die within six months to make a written request for life-ending medication. Two witnesses should sign the application to ensure the patient is not being coerced. The request must then be approved by the person’s treating physician as well as a consulting physician.
The governor said bill sponsors and legislative leaders agreed to add provisions requiring confirmation from a doctor that the person “actually has less than six months to live,” as well as confirmation from a psychologist or psychiatrist that the patient is capable of making the decision and is not under duress.
Hochul also said the bill will include a mandatory five-day waiting period as well as a written and recorded oral request to “confirm that free will is present.” Outpatient care facilities associated with religious hospitals may choose not to offer this option.
She added that “this is a right afforded only to New Yorkers.”
A spokesperson for Hochul said the governor will sign the bill next year, with his changes incorporated into the proposal.
The legislation was first introduced in 2016, but was stalled for years due to opposition from the New York State Catholic Conference and other groups. The Catholic organization argued that the measure would devalue human life and undermine the doctor’s healing role.
In a statement released after the governor’s announcement, Cardinal Timothy Dolan and the New York bishops said Hochul’s position “signals our government’s abandonment of its most vulnerable citizens, telling sick or disabled people that suicide in their case is not only acceptable, but is encouraged by our elected leaders.”
New York lawmakers approved the legislation during their rulemaking session earlier this year. Supporters said it would reduce the suffering of terminally ill people and let them die on their own terms.
