Advocacy Resources
This webpage gathers some useful resources for learning about Medical Aid in Dying and for advocating its enactment by legislation in New York. This page draws heavily on the materials of Compassion & Choices New York.
Overview of Medical Aid in Dying
- Brochure/pdf introduction: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/60-reasons-ny/van-toolkit_-introduction-to-medical-aid-in-dying-final-1.11.22.pdf
- Webpage overview, with links to numerous resources: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/our-issues/medical-aid-in-dying
- Policy Book (an extensive presentation aimed at legislators): https://compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/medical-aid-in-dying-policy-book-01-19-2023.pdf
Medical Aid in Dying Act — Legislation in New York
- Identical bills were introduced in the Senate and the Assembly in January 2023 for the 2023–2024 legislative term. The current text, as amended April 2024: https://www.deathwithdignityalbany.org/wp-content/uploads/MAID-2023-2024-B.pdf
- Background information and details from Compassion & Choices: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/in-your-state/new-york/bill-summary
- An advocacy webpage aimed at NY legislators, with lots of information: https://compassionandchoices.org/in-your-state/new-york/stopsufferingny
Fact Sheets and Handouts
- Facts about MAiD: https://compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/fact-sheets/fact-sheet—facts-about-maid-final-1-5-22-(2).pdf
- Summary of the legislation: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/new-york/2021-ny-bill-summary-6-28-21.pdf
- Public Support in New York: https://www.compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/polling-documents/cc_nypolling_onesheet_8.5x11_06_rev2019.pdf
Contacting Lawmakers
- A tool that provides a letter, which you can edit, and that emails the letter to your lawmakers: https://join.compassionandchoices.org/a/ny2023-emailalert
- To call or to send your own letter, contact Information about your lawmakers can be found at: https://www.nysenate.gov/find-my-senator https://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/search/
- Current (2023–2024) Legislative District Maps for the Capital District, with incumbents noted: Senate Assembly
Volunteer Training and Aids
- NY Volunteer Training and Informational Videos: What Can I Do Right Now? (8/10/2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_H-QlxXzos Engaging with Elected Officials + Winter Tour 2022 (8/31/2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB4_w2K61G0 NY’s Legislative Process & The Medical Aid in Dying Act (10/4/2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPDXdlYt5pg
- Communicating with Legislators and the Media (11/2019): https://compassionandchoices.org/docs/default-source/default-document-library/van-toolkit_-communicating-with-your-legislators-and-the-media-final-11-20-2019-1-pdf.pdf