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What matters most in the debate around medical aid in dying is that the facts and evidence conclusively demonstrate that medical aid in dying laws in the jurisdictions that authorize the practice have been very successfully implemented. Thousands of dying patients have benefited and no harm has resulted. Consequently, no state has rescinded its medical aid in dying law.

The objections that are mentioned do not have merit. There is no evidence that the drugs have fallen into the wrong hands nor is there any evidence of coercion or any abuse by greedy family members. And, even if there were, they would only benefit for a very short time as patients do not self-administer these drugs until they are close to death.

The argument that medical aid in dying is inconsistent with a physician's role as healer is meritless. Consider that when a patient is terminally ill, healing the illness itself is no longer possible. The relief of suffering and not abandoning the patient at a time of great need is another form of healing, compatible with a doctor’s role. When suffering becomes intolerable, the relief of that suffering may include a hastened death if that is what the patient decides. Doctors must have the ability to act in accordance with the wishes of their patients.

So, not surprisingly, the Medical Society of the State of New York, the New York State Nurses Association, the New York Association of Family Physicians, the New York State Psychiatric Association, and 67% of physicians polled in New York all support the Medical Aid in Dying Act. It's also supported by the New York State Bar Association, the New York State Council of Churches, the New York State Association of Counties and 72% of New Yorkers.

The Assembly appropriately voted to pass the compassionate and humane Medical Aid in Dying Act. It is now the state Senate's turn.

The writer is the Executive Director Emeritus and Senior Consultant for End of Life Choices New York.

Published June 2, 2025

My mother died at a hospice facility in Alabama last June. It was a difficult time for my family and me, but the excellent care, support, and interventions the people there provided to ease my mother’s pain and suffering brought many blessings amid our hardship. My mother died peacefully, and I cherished every moment I had with her up to the very moment of her death.

On a professional level, I have worked as a spiritual care provider in hospice and palliative care programs for the last 25 years; hospice and palliative care programs are effective, and we need to expand those services rather than pass legislation allowing physician-assisted suicide. Let’s stop playing with words; this kind of law basically asks us to allow doctors to ignore their oath to "do no harm" and facilitate a person’s suicide. Yes, allowing physician-assisted suicide is a slippery slope.

Intentionally hastening the dying process is morally wrong; it puts an undue burden on patients, families, the medical community, and society at large. Let’s advocate for expanded hospice and palliative care rather than physician-assisted suicide.

Published June........

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