Advocates gathered at a City & State forum in Albany on Tuesday to urge the New York Legislature to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act in 2025, a bill that would allow terminally ill adults with six months or less to live to obtain medication to die peacefully if their suffering becomes unbearable. The forum, “Freedom + Bodily Autonomy at Life’s End,” featured personal stories from five speakers, each making an emotional case for the legislation.
Corinne Carey, Compassion & Choices’ senior campaign director for New York and New Jersey, opened the event with a call for lawmakers to act. “The incredibly personal stories – some heartwarming, some devastating – told by these advocates brought tears to many in the room,” Carey said. “We are up to 85 sponsors in both houses, and that number is continuing to grow. I am more hopeful than ever that this will be the year the Legislature finally passes the bill.”
Speakers included Dan Diaz, husband of Brittany Maynard, who used medical aid in dying in Oregon after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer at age 29. “Knowing that medical aid in dying was available allowed Brittany to take back a little control from the horrible disease,” Diaz said. “The idea that at the end of life, New Yorkers have fewer options than I do in California is wrong.”
Other advocates shared their own experiences with terminal illnesses and painful losses. Dr. Jeremy Boal, a former chief clinical officer at Mount Sinai who was diagnosed with ALS, framed the issue as one of equity. “This is about compassion and fairness,” Boal said. “Most New Yorkers don’t have the resources to go elsewhere for this option. They deserve the choice here.”
A recent YouGov poll revealed overwhelming support for medical aid in dying among New Yorkers, with 72% in favor. Advocacy groups such as the New York Civil Liberties Union, the League of Women Voters of New York State, and the NYS Nurses Association are among the organizations backing the bill.
The legislation has been introduced by Assemblymember Amy Paulin and Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who have worked to build bipartisan support. Advocates hope New York will join the 10 states and Washington, D.C., that already allow medical aid in dying.
“Medical aid in dying doesn’t result in more people dying, it results in fewer people suffering as they die,” Carey said. “Lawmakers have an opportunity to provide grace to dying New Yorkers. We will not stop until the bill is passed.”
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