The Peru Gazette

 Assemblyman Cashman votes for Medical Aid in Dying (A9515), February 2025

Plattsburgh, NY, August 6, 2026 –  “The Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act has finally gone into effect in New York State. After a multi-decade long fight for this change, New Yorkers meeting specific, carefully curated criteria will have this option available to them.”

“I have spent many years traveling to Albany alongside advocates from throughout the state to promote this legislation and have been a supporter of MAID for far longer. Meeting with fellow advocates and their families who have shared their stories as to why this legislation is so important to them, combined with my own lived experiences, have continuously reaffirmed my support of MAID. New Yorkers at large know the importance of providing this option, as polling consistently showed widespread support of MAID’s passage.”

“I am especially glad to see the many safeguards in place to prevent abuse or coercion for those making the decision to partake in medical aid in dying. Many shared their concerns about these potential abuses of MAID, and during the 2025 bill vote we were able to clarify and address these justified worries. The law accounts for clear patient consent and understanding, prevents financial encouragement for partaking in MAID, as well as providing various care plan paths before MAID is presented as an option.

“Terminally ill patients deserve compassion, dignity, and respect, especially in their final moments. MAID provides just that. Everyone should have the ability to determine what is best in their final moments, and I am proud to have supported MAID’s final vote during the most recent legislative session.

“I thank Assembly bill sponsor Assemblymember Paulin for her continued dedication to this issue and all the advocates who tirelessly fought for this bill to come to a final vote.”

Some of the safeguards included in this legislation include:

• Patients must be mentally capable adults with a prognosis of six months or less to live, as verified by two independent physicians; and
• Patient must have a mental health evaluation to determine that they have decision making capacity; and
• Patients must make a verbal request for medical aid in dying, as well as submit a written request; and
• Such request must be witnessed by two individuals, neither of whom can be a relative, heir, or affiliated with an owner, operator, or employee of the health care facility where the patient is receiving care; and
• The witnesses must have no financial interest in the patient’s estate; and
• Patients must record an audio or video request for medical aid in dying; and
• A prescription for medical aid in dying medication may not be filled until 5 days after the prescription is written; and
• Patients must be capable of self-administering the medication, ensuring that the final act is a voluntary and deliberate choice; and
• Physicians are required to inform patients of all available end-of-life care options, including hospice and palliative care.