Times Union September 27, 2017: We are undeterred. The recent state Supreme Court decision regarding medical aid-in-dying was disappointing, but supporters should understand that there is still a valid and legitimate pathway to achieve our goal.
The lawsuit sought a solution through the courts. The approach of Death with Dignity–Albany, in collaboration with Compassion & Choices New York and other advocates around the state, is to take the legislative path. We are working to encourage our state lawmakers to pass the Medical Aid-in-Dying Act, which would enable terminally ill patients to have some control over the end of their life and to hasten their end peacefully if suffering becomes too great. Polls consistently show that more than 70 percent of New Yorkers would like to have this option available to them, whether or not they would actually use it.
Medical aid-in-dying is legal in six states, including Oregon, and has worked exactly as intended for the past 19 years with no evidence of abuse of the law. The proposed New York legislation is based on the Oregon law, with the same thorough and careful safeguards. Supporters need to be sure that legislators hear their voices. The path to victory is through the Legislature, and the voice of constituents will help to influence a positive response.
Bonnie Edelstein
Founder and director, Death with Dignity–Albany