New York bill permits medical aid in dying for terminal illnesses including neurodegenerative disorders

The New York Legislature convened on April 29, 2025, to discuss significant legislative proposals, including a bill concerning medical aid in dying. The meeting focused on the parameters of the proposed legislation, which stipulates that individuals must have a terminal illness or condition, defined as an incurable and irreversible illness confirmed by medical professionals, with a prognosis of death within six months.

Advocates for the bill frequently reference terminal cancer as a primary example. However, the legislation also draws parallels to New Jersey's medical aid in dying statute, which includes various terminal conditions such as neurodegenerative disorders—Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Concerns were raised regarding the potential classification of conditions like anorexia nervosa as terminal, which could complicate the application of the law.

During discussions, it was noted that approximately 25 percent of medical aid in dying cases in New Jersey involved neurodegenerative disorders. Yet, advocates assured that these conditions would not qualify under the New York bill due to the difficulty in certifying death within the six-month timeframe. This raised questions about the reliability of the six-month estimate, with some suggesting that it could be subject to manipulation by physicians to accommodate patient desires.

The bill also lacks specific requirements regarding patient residency in New York, the mode of physician examination—whether in-person or via telehealth—and the handling of prescriptions for lethal medications, which could potentially be sent out of state. Additionally, there is no mandate for the presence of witnesses at the time of death, raising concerns about the emotional impact on family members who may discover an unattended death and the ambiguity surrounding the cause of death.

The meeting concluded with a recognition of the complexities surrounding the proposed legislation, highlighting the need for further discussion and clarification on these critical issues as the bill progresses through the legislative process.