Governor Hochul Signs ‘Medical Aid in Dying Act’, Bringing Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide to Troubled New York State
Dems like Hochul have a commitment to the culture of death.
Another U.S. state is preparing to implement legislation related to what is commonly called “Medical Aid in Dying,” a term used to describe laws that allow certain terminally ill patients to request medication to end their lives under specific conditions.
This topic has been widely debated in recent years, particularly in light of developments in Canada, where eligibility for medical assistance in dying has expanded and the number of cases has grown significantly.
In the United States, New York has now joined the list of states permitting the practice. According to CBS6 News, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on Friday, making New York the 13th state — and the 14th U.S. jurisdiction including Washington, D.C. — to authorize the practice.
JUST IN – New York Governor Kathy Hochul signs Medical Aid in Dying Act, making New York the 13th state in the U.S. to authorize human euthanasia for terminally ill adults, effective August 5 — CBS pic.twitter.com/9flMl1aGLw
— Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) February 6, 2026
Under the law, eligible terminally ill adults may request a prescription for medication that they can choose to self-administer if they decide their suffering has become too great.
Governor Hochul spoke about the personal nature of the issue for her, referencing her mother’s battle with ALS and the emotional difficulty of witnessing her suffering. She said the law was the result of years of discussion with lawmakers, medical professionals, advocates, and families who have experienced similar situations.
“Our state will always stand firm in safeguarding New Yorkers’ freedoms and right to bodily autonomy, which includes the right for the terminally ill to peacefully and comfortably end their lives with dignity and compassion,” Hochul said. She added that she believes the law gives people the option to reduce suffering at the end of life.
I did not come to support Medical Aid in Dying lightly. But it isn’t about shortening life — it is about shortening death for those who are terminally ill. pic.twitter.com/a4A32FPyts
— Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) December 18, 2025
Critics of similar laws in other places have raised concerns about how safeguards are enforced in practice, pointing to developments in Canada as an example. Some argue that oversight can weaken over time and that vulnerable individuals may feel pressure, subtle or direct, to consider this option.
Supporters, on the other hand, maintain that strict eligibility requirements, psychological evaluations, and multiple medical approvals are designed to ensure that the decision is voluntary and carefully considered.
As more states consider similar legislation, the debate over medical aid in dying continues to raise difficult ethical, legal, and medical questions across the country.
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