New York legalizes assisted death with additional protection and will take effect in July

New York.- New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law this Friday that legalizes assisted death for terminally ill people with less than six months to live, with additional protection than expected, and which will come into effect in July. The original project included provisions to ensure that “no patient is forced to choose medical aid to die” and neither is any healthcare professional or clinic “affiliated by religion” forced, but Hochul and lawmakers have added new ones, according to a statement. “The governor worked with the legislature to add additional protections that will ensure that no one will take advantage of anyone, while ensuring that terminally ill New Yorkers have the option to die comfortably and on their own terms,” it indicates.

We recommend reading: New York Democrats reject Trump’s proposal to put his name on Penn Station

Assisted Death in New York

New York will thus join thirteen other US states that offer this medical route for a dignified death after Oregon became a pioneer in 1994. Hochul, who is Catholic and in the past acknowledged facing a “religious conflict” on this issue, considered today that the “right decision” has been made for residents after “years of intimate discussions with the sponsors of the law, health experts, activists” and above all affected families. Among other things, the law will now consider mandatory a waiting period of five days from the prescription is signed and fulfilled, a video or audio recording of the patient requesting this assistance, and a prior mental evaluation by a psychologist or psychiatrist. Also, anyone who may financially benefit from a patient’s death is prohibited from witnessing their oral request or acting as an interpreter. The law will come into effect six months after this signing “to allow the Department of Health to establish the necessary regulations” and ensure that hospitals “can prepare and train their staff adequately to comply with it,” the note adds.