New York lawmakers on June 9 passed a bill that would legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill adults — legislation that has now reached the office of Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul.
According to the New York Post, the bill passed 35 to 27, with six Democrats voting against it: Senators April Baskin, Siela Bynoe, Cordell Cleare, Monica Martinez, Roxanne Persaud, and Sam Sutton.
The measure, known as the “Medical Aid in Dying Act,” would allow adults diagnosed with a terminal illness and a life expectancy of six months or less to request life-ending medication.
Approval would require the sign-off of the attending physician and a consulting physician and a written request witnessed by two adults who attest that the patient is acting voluntarily, according to AP News.
Democratic Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsor, framed the legislation as humane.
“It’s not about hastening death, but ending suffering,” he said during a lengthy Senate debate.
But the bill’s passage marks what many faith and pro-life leaders are calling a somber moment.
“This is a dark day for New York State,” said Dennis Poust, executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, which strongly opposes the bill. “For the first time in its history, New York is on the verge of authorizing doctors to help their patients commit suicide. Make no mistake — this is only the beginning, and the only person standing between New York and the assisted suicide nightmare unfolding in Canada is Governor Hochul.”
According to the AP article, Sen. George Borrello, a Republican, voiced similar concern: “We should not be in the business of state-authorized suicide.”
The legislation, introduced nearly a decade ago, has long faced resistance. As CatholicVote previously reported, the state Assembly passed the bill April 29 amid intense debate. If Hochul signs it, New York would join 11 other states and Washington, DC, in allowing some form of medically assisted suicide.