WELCOME — ABOUT US
Death is hard to think about, and it’s hard to talk about. Death with Dignity–Albany was founded in 2015 to make it easier for people to talk about end-of-life issues, to learn more about their options, and to make plans to ensure that their wishes are honored when the time comes. We believe that everyone deserves to have a dignified, peaceful death.
We are an independent, local, grassroots group whose mission is to provide a forum for education and advocacy. We are based in Albany, NY and serve the Capital Region of New York State and beyond.
In past years, we held in-person meetings to hear from guest speakers with expertise in legal, ethical, social, and legislative aspects of end-of-life matters. These meetings allowed supporters of death with dignity to meet and talk with other supporters and advocates. Beginning in 2020, our meetings have shifted mostly to an online format.
We are part of the New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying, whose members are working to enact medical aid in dying legislation in this state.
New York Approves
Medical Aid in Dying
On Friday February 6, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act, making New York the 14th jurisdiction (13 states plus Washington D.C.) where MAID is legal.
This approval followed the actions of the Assembly and the Senate passing the underlying bill late last Spring. The Governor desired a number of changes to the bill that, in her view, would provide additional safeguards. The possibility of making these changes was negotiated with legislative leaders during the Fall.
The Assembly and Senate voted to accept these changes on Wednesday, paving the way for the Governor to sign the bill. MAID will begin operating this summer, giving time for the medical system to prepare and for the Department of Health to issue regulations.
