Support for the New York Medical Aid in Dying Bill

BILL INFORMATION

A.136 (AM Paulin) / S.138 (Sen. Hoylman-Sigal) – Relates to the medical aid in dying act (NYS 2025)

OUTCOME

Signed by the Governor, Chp. 714, Approval Memo 89 – February 6, 2026

REPORT

Submitted via email
Brian Mahanna
Counsel to the Governor
New York State Capitol Building
Albany, NY  

Re: Comments on NY Medical Aid in Dying Bill 

The New York City Bar Association, through its Bioethical Issues Committee, is in support of A.136, the Medical Aid in Dying Act, and we recommend that the Governor sign the bill.   

We commend lawmakers for including the requirement that physicians inform patients about palliative care and hospice. Access to palliative care and hospice varies. Improved access to both should occur concurrently with the implementation of medical aid in dying. 

We recommend the state initiate steps to ensure that all who qualify for and wish to engage in medical aid in dying have such access. For example, while federal programs including Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical aid in dying, California provides coverage of the cost through Medi-Cal without using federal funds.    

Respectfully,  

Anne Zimmerman, Co-Chair
Bioethical Issues Committee  

Emily A. Beer, Chair-Elect
Bioethical Issues Committee