Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes terminally ill patient's to request for and use of medication for medical aid in dying in New York.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “medical aid in dying” as the medical practice of a physician prescribing medication to a qualified individual that the individual may choose to self-administer to bring about death (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that qualified patients must be at least 18 years old (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the patient seeking medication for medical aid in dying to make an oral request and submit a written request to their physician (Sec. 2). 

• Requires two physicians to confirm that at least one of the following statements are true of the patient (Sec. 2):

• They have an irreversible and incurable disease; or

• They have a condition with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live.

• Requires two additional witnesses to sign as witnesses to the patient’s request, who may not be any of the following (Sec. 2):

• A relative of the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption;

• An individual in line for inheritance;

• An employee at a nursing home where the patient receives care; or

• A domestic partner of the patient.

• Requires the patient’s physician to refer the patient to a mental health professional if they have reason to believe the patient making this request may lack the decision-making capacity to make an informed decision (Sec. 2). 

• Requires that the patient ingest the medication on their own (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the patient to reverse their decision at any point in the process by rescinding their request (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies the written language that shall be used in the official written request for medication to end life, as well as the declaration of witness (Sec. 2). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes terminally ill patient's to request for and use of medication for medical aid in dying in New York.

Highlights:

• Establishes the Medical Aid in Dying Act in New York (Sec. 1). 

• Defines “medical aid in dying” as the medical practice of a physician prescribing medication to a qualified individual that the individual may choose to self-administer to bring about death (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that qualified patients must be at least 18 years old (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the patient seeking medication for medical aid in dying to make an oral request and submit a written request to their physician (Sec. 2). 

• Requires two physicians to confirm that at least one of the following statements are true of the patient (Sec. 2):

• They have an irreversible and incurable disease; or

• They have a condition with a prognosis of 6 months or less to live.

• Requires two additional witnesses to sign as witnesses to the patient’s request, who may not be any of the following (Sec. 2):

• A relative of the patient by blood, marriage, or adoption;

• An individual in line for inheritance;

• An employee at a nursing home where the patient receives care; or

• A domestic partner of the patient.

• Requires the patient’s physician to refer the patient to a mental health professional if they have reason to believe the patient making this request may lack the decision-making capacity to make an informed decision (Sec. 2). 

• Requires that the patient ingest the medication on their own (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the patient to reverse their decision at any point in the process by rescinding their request (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies the written language that shall be used in the official written request for medication to end life, as well as the declaration of witness (Sec. 2). 

Full Bill Text