A resolution supporting the Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York

Whereas New Yorkers deserve the full range of medically appropriate options for care at the end of life;

Noting that we fully support hospice care as an option for all patients approaching the end of their lives;

Appreciating that New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.2694/S.03947) would authorize medical aid in dying for terminally ill adults with less than six months to live and found by two doctors to be mentally capable to make this medical decision;

Noting that the law would give eligible patients the option to request a prescription for medication they can take to shorten a difficult, painful dying process;

Noting that a majority of Americans, including physicians, support Medical Aid in Dying legislation

Noting that Medical Aid in Dying legislation proposed for New York is similar to laws that have been in effect in eight legal jurisdictions (California, Colorado, Montana, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state, Hawai'i and Washington, D.C.) without abuse or coercion or any criminal or disciplinary charges filed.

Appreciating that both Representative Seawright and Senator Kreuger are among the growing number of co-sponsors of the Medical Aid in Dying Act that is now before the NY legislature and that Governor Cuomo has publically supported passage of the bill;

Now, therefore, the Four Freedoms Democratic Club supports the passage of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.2694/S.03947).