Guest Column: Medical aid in dying is now legal in New York State
September 21, 2026 | Patricia C. Marcin | |For years, people with terminal illnesses had no choice but to live out their remaining time, with no hope of recovery and often in severe pain. While 13 states and territories have statutes permitting aid in dying, New York lacked such a measure. That all changed last month.
As of Aug. 5, terminally ill New Yorkers may request medical aid in dying through self-administered medication under New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID) — provided they meet the law’s eligibility requirements. Qualified patients may use MAID to hasten death and avoid potentially painful final days. For many, the law offers relief and the dignity of choosing not to endure prolonged suffering before an underlying illness causes death.
