STOCKTON ISLAND, N.Y. — The Medical Aid in Dying Act (M.A.i.D.) is on the verge of a significant legislative breakthrough in New York.
During a recent closed-door meeting, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie disclosed that there are sufficient votes to pass the M.A.i.D. Act, according to a source familiar with the conversation shared with the Advance/SILive.com.
It is anticipated that the Assembly may conduct a vote as early as next week, marking the first time the bill has reached the floor for a vote since its inception by then-Staten Island state Senator Diane Savino during the 2015-2016 legislative session.
However, the timeline for a Senate vote remains uncertain, leaving many wondering whether Governor Kathy Hochul will endorse the bill if it passes through the legislature.
A spokesperson for the governor assured that Hochul would carefully review the legislation upon its passage in both houses.
The M.A.i.D. Act aims to empower mentally competent, terminally ill patients over the age of 18 to self-administer prescribed medication for dying. The legislation restricts requests to individuals diagnosed with medically confirmed terminal illnesses that provide a life expectancy of six months or less.
Notably, eligibility is not contingent solely on age or disability, and the legislation does not provide a predefined list of qualifying medical conditions.
If enacted, health care providers who oppose the process will have the option to decline participation without fear of repercussions.
Currently, 11 jurisdictions across the United States have legalized medical aid in dying. These areas include Oregon, Washington, Montana, Vermont, California, Colorado, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, New Jersey, Maine, and New Mexico.
After passing a measure in 2024, Delaware’s law was vetoed by ex-Governor John Carney; however, it has since been passed again and is expected to be approved by Governor Matt Meyer.
Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat and current prime co-sponsor of the M.A.i.D. Act, expressed optimism about the Assembly’s potential vote, calling it a critical first step.
She has previously stated her commitment to pushing the measure across the finish line.
Advocates believe that the time could be ripe for the legalization of medical aid in dying in New York due to myriad heartbreaking personal stories that have surfaced, shedding light on the desperate need for legislative action.
An emotional account comes from Brian Moffett, a founding member of the Westerleigh Folk Festival and an ardent advocate for the M.A.i.D. Act, who passed away at 66 years old from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Moffett had a deep desire to be the first individual in New York to legally utilize medical aid in dying, forcefully encouraging officials in Albany to support the bill from April until early June of last year.
Unfortunately, when the legislation failed to pass, Moffett expressed his disappointment, aware that he would not live to see the next legislative session and could not access the option to die with dignity.
His son, Jake Moffett, reflected on the bill’s potential progress being a comfort for those who will eventually need to consider medical aid in dying.
“We’re all going to die,” stated Jake Moffett. “You can romanticize it, thinking you’ll pass peacefully at age 99, surrounded by loved ones. But the truth is, the end can often be uncomfortable and even painful.”
He continued, “If M.A.I.D. passes, it signifies that there will be a choice. Those with six months to live facing agony can elect to depart peacefully and retain dignity at the end.”
Jake emphatically noted that opposing the act is often rooted in religious convictions rather than genuine concern regarding a suicide crisis in the state.
He expressed hope that the passage of the M.A.I.D. Act would allow individuals to make end-of-life choices based on their preferences, eliminating the unnecessary suffering experienced by his father.
Another poignant advocate for the M.A.i.D. Act is Daren Eilert, whose daughter Ayla, a Manhattan resident, tragically succumbed to complications from cancer at the age of 24.
Ayla, throughout the harsh battle against her illness, repeatedly expressed her desire for medical assistance in dying, according to statements made by her parents.
Despite the heartbreak, Amy Eilert, Ayla’s mother, articulated mixed feelings about the potential legislative movement, noting that it provides little comfort in the face of her daughter’s tragic passing.
“Regardless of the outcome, it doesn’t bring my daughter back or change my experience with what she endured,” Amy declared.
However, she remarked that the possibility of legalizing M.A.I.D. could influence her decision to reside in New York, echoing that it may lead to an improvement in healthcare and end-of-life care.
Amy highlighted the reality that, while healthcare professionals can manage many things, they cannot avert every suffering associated with inevitable death.
From a more activist perspective, Carey, senior campaign director for the New York and New Jersey chapter of Compassion & Choices, expressed enthusiasm regarding the impending vote.
“Our campaign is focused on ensuring terminally ill New Yorkers are equipped with a complete spectrum of end-of-life options,” Carey remarked.
She noted that her group is collaborating with six individuals battling terminal illnesses who are banking on the legislature to pass the bill this year, alongside the families of 28 individuals who have died in recent years urging for legislative relief.
The overarching sentiment advocates are urging is clear: It’s time for New York lawmakers to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act and alleviate the suffering of those in their final days.
image source from：https://www.silive.com/news/2025/04/ny-may-soon-take-major-step-toward-legalizing-medical-aid-in-dying.html
