STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — As the legislative session in New York approaches its adjournment date of June 12, the Medical Aid in Dying Act is poised for a significant vote in the Senate, according to state Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.
Stewart-Cousins expressed optimism about the measure’s prospects, stating, “I do believe there are the votes, and it is likely it will come to the floor.”
The Assembly had previously passed the legislation on April 23, 2024, but uncertainty looms regarding whether Governor Kathy Hochul would sign it into law if it reaches her desk.
The proposed Medical Aid in Dying Act, with Staten Island state Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton as a prime co-sponsor, aims to provide mentally competent, terminally ill adults over the age of 18 the option of self-administering prescribed life-ending medication.
Only individuals with confirmed terminal illnesses and a prognosis of six months or less to live would be eligible to request this option. Importantly, the measure stipulates that age or disability alone does not qualify a person for its provisions, and there is no pre-determined list of qualifying medical conditions. Health care providers who opt not to participate in the program would be permitted to do so without fear of penalties.
Originally introduced by former Staten Island Senator Diane Savino during the 2015-16 legislative session, the measure had encountered significant delays until the Assembly’s vote this year. Prior to this recent development, it had remained in committee without progress in both chambers of the legislature.
Currently, medical aid in dying is permitted in just 12 jurisdictions across the United States, which include states like Oregon, Washington, and California, alongside others.
The push for the Medical Aid in Dying Act has gained momentum, with Manhattan Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who is also a supporter of the measure, indicating that it has garnered backing from 25 sponsors and co-sponsors in the Senate.
To successfully pass in the Senate, the act requires the support of 32 out of the 63 senators. A source revealed to the Advance/SILive.com that the measure would only be brought to the Senate floor when there is confidence it has enough votes for approval.
Support for the act has been strong, with numerous medical and legal organizations endorsing it, including the New York State Academy of Family Physicians and the New York State Bar Association.
Conversely, there are opponents of the legislation, including the New York Catholic Conference, various religious groups, and certain disability rights organizations.
Scarcella-Spanton, who represents Staten Island’s North Shore and a section of South Brooklyn, has described the passage of the Medical Aid in Dying Act as a matter of dignity and autonomy for individuals facing terminal illnesses.
“Passing this act means giving people the autonomy they deserve to make their own end-of-life decisions, and I won’t stop fighting until it’s written into law here in New York,” Scarcella-Spanton affirmed.
These discussions surrounding the act have personal ramifications for many New Yorkers. In April 2024, a series of articles by the Advance/SILive.com focused on individual stories related to the measure, highlighting the experiences of those with terminal illnesses.
One such story featured Ayla Eilert, 24, diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue in 2021. After undergoing extensive surgery and treatment, Eilert passed away less than seven months later. Her parents have since become strong advocates for the Medical Aid in Dying Act.
Additionally, Staten Islander Gina Luongo, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, expressed that while she might not utilize medical aid in dying if legalized, she wanted the option available. Luongo passed away in May 2025 at the age of 52.
Another poignant case is that of Brian Moffett, who was diagnosed with ALS in the spring of 2024. Moffett, aware that he might not see the passage of the act, expressed his desire to be the first person in New York to legally access medical aid in dying. Following the act’s failure to pass, Moffett criticized lawmakers for denying him the chance to ‘die with dignity.’
Before Moffett’s passing just weeks later, he invited reporters into his home to further discuss the urgent need for lawmakers to support the measure. His son, Jake Moffett, has since joined the advocacy efforts, calling upon state leaders to honor his father’s wishes and push for the law.
The issue resonates with many New Yorkers, prompting public discussions on the need for compassionate end-of-life choices. Advocates argue that empowering individuals with such options aligns with a humane approach to terminal illness.
As the legislative session’s end draws closer, all eyes will be on the New York Senate as it prepares to potentially vote on this pivotal issue.
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