April 16, 2018: The formation of the New York Alliance for Medical Aid in Dying was announced today at a press conference in the New York State Capitol in Albany. The Alliance combines the efforts of four organizations — Compassion & Choices New York, Death with Dignity–Albany, Death with Dignity National Center, and End of Life Choices New York — as efforts to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act intensify.
Speakers at the news conference included leaders of the four alliance members (Corinne Carey of Compassion & Choices, Bonnie Edelstein of Death with Dignity–Albany, George Eighmey of Death with Dignity National Center, and David Leven of End of Life Choices New York. Senator Diane Savino and Assembly members Amy Paulin and Richard N. Gottfried spoke in favor of the legislation. Also, advocates Scott Barroco (Rochester) and Dr. Margaret Craven Snowden (Voorheesville) shared their personal reasons for supporting the bill. A full account of the news conference is available at compassionandchoices.org/news/organizations-supporting-medical-aid-dying-join-forces-creating-new-alliance-push-passage-new-yorks-medical-aid-dying-act/
(In the photo, from left to right: Corinne Carey and Amanda Cavanaugh of Compassion & Choices New York; Richard N. Gottfried, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee; Dr. David Pratt of Schenectady; and Bonnie Edelstein of Death with Dignity–Albany.)
A video news report is available at spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/news/2018/04/16/new-alliance-for-medical-aid-in-dying-legislation