Medical Aid in Dying: S8835 Rivera / A9515 Paulin

MEMORANDUM OF OPPOSITION

S8835 Rivera / A9515 Paulin
Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying

The above-referenced legislation would implement amendments to the yet-enacted, so-called Medical Aid in Dying Act, which would allow doctors to prescribe lethal drugs to a patient for the purpose of ending their life. The New York State Catholic Conference opposes this legislation and the bill it purports to fix.

Our relentless opposition to physician-assisted suicide exposed the awful truth: legalizing this practice is a dangerous, slippery slope that will harm the disabled, poor, marginalized and medically underserved. While we are glad that our efforts led lawmakers to reconsider many of the more terrible aspects of this bill, we know that the pro-suicide lobby will not stop here. As they have in other jurisdictions, they will fight to expand this law and tear down any supposed safeguards it contains.

Unless assisted suicide is stopped now, it will eventually lead us down the dark path of Canada and other areas, where assisted suicide is being offered to those seeking disability supports, or those with mental illness, anorexia, and other issues that could be addressed with the proper tools. You must reject this policy and any fruitless attempt to make it less dangerous. Despite her stated intent otherwise, we continue to urge Governor Hochul to veto the original bill, which is still unsigned, which would render these amendments in this legislation moot.