"Hochul, a Catholic, said she came to the decision after hearing from New Yorkers in the "throes of pain and suffering," as well as their children, while also considering opposition from "individuals of many faiths who believe that deliberately shortening one's life violates the sanctity of life." "I was taught that God is merciful and compassionate, and so must we be," she wrote. "This includes permitting a merciful option to those facing the unimaginable and searching for comfort in their final months in this life.""
"New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act requires that a terminally ill person who is expected to die within six month make a written request for life-ending drugs. Two witnesses would have to sign the request to ensure that the patient is not being coerced. The request would then have to be approved by the person's attending physician as well as a consulting physician."
New York will legalize medically assisted suicide for terminally ill patients under a measure that requires a written request and multiple safeguards. Governor Kathy Hochul will sign the proposal after agreement with legislative leaders to add guardrails including medical confirmation of a prognosis of six months or less and psychiatric confirmation of decision-making capacity. The law requires two witnesses, approval by attending and consulting physicians, a mandatory five-day waiting period, and a written and recorded oral request. A dozen other states and the District of Columbia already allow medically assisted suicide, including a recently signed Illinois law.
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