Alex Schadenberg
Executive Director, Euthanasia Prevention Coalition
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| Governor Kathy Hochul |
We were wondering what was happening to the New York assisted suicide bill since the bill had not yet reached her desk for signing.
An article by Jimmy Vielkind that was published by the Gothamist on December 3 is reporting that Governor Hochul is negotiating with the sponsors of the assisted suicide bill to amend the bill. According to Vielkind:
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul wants to add a requirement that people videotape their requests for physician-assisted deaths, one of several conditions she’s put forward to sign the hotly debated Medical Aid in Dying Act.
The Democratic governor proposed the amendments to the Legislature late last month, according to two people briefed on the negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly about them. Talks are ongoing, the people said.
Hochul is seeking a waiting period and to restrict the bill to New York residents. Vielkind wrote:
Hochul is also pushing to create a seven-day waiting period for terminally ill patients who seek life-ending drugs from physicians. Another proposed provision would require all patients who ask doctors to help end their lives to undergo a mental health evaluation by a psychiatrist.
The governor also wants to restrict the practice to New York residents. And instead of having the bill become law immediately after her signature, she has proposed delaying its effective date by a year.
Vielkind reported that:
Assemblymember Amy Paulin and state Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, the bill’s sponsors, said they couldn’t comment about the bill’s status. Hochul’s spokesperson Kara Cumoletti said the governor “continues to review the legislation.”
The Euthanasia Prevention Coalition is urging all of its supporters to call New York Governor Kathy Hochul at: 518-474-8390 and urge her to veto the assisted suicide bill.
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