A Hard Fought Win!

Mandi Zucker

May 1, 2025

Live How You Like, Leave How You Like

The past few days have been exhilarating! Heart-warming at times, a bit scary at times as well. I, like many of you, have been glued to my screen as I watched A.136 pass through two committees and the full Assembly in NY. This has been a long-sought victory and we are enjoying this moment to celebrate. While we will be looking to the Senate, and then the Governor next, I hope you will join me in relishing this moment. We have all played a part in this success and I am so proud to stand with all of you as we made this happen!

Next week, I hope you will join me in Albany for a spring Lobby Day. We need to show the Senate that we stand firmly behind this bill and expect our representatives to do what’s right for terminally-ill New Yorkers. Please join me on Tuesday, May 6th at the capital building in Albany.

I also just want to say that as difficult of a road it has been to get to this moment, we know the Senate is even more challenging. We still do not have the votes needed to bring this bill to the floor. We are spending a ton of resources to target specific senators that we think we can convince but we need your help. Every dollar is being spent on this priority right now. If you have ever considered supporting this organization, now is the time! Digital ads, postcards, texting services, paid advocates — all of it costs a lot of money. We are here because of all of your support, but if you have any additional funds that we can put towards this cause, please consider making a donation today. I usually try to make a gentle ask for donations when needed, but honestly– this is just too important. I can’t be more clear about the need to fund this effort. Please be as generous as you can.

Mandi Zucker, LSW
Executive Director

Recent Events & Updates

Join us in June for our Annual Meeting

Mark your calendars for June 5th for our in-person Annual Meeting. We will be recapping our successes over the past year, sharing our bold strategic plan for the future and filling you in on ways you can be part of this mission. We will also be unveiling a few surprises and I can’t wait to share them with you! The meeting will take place in Manhattan but we will have an online option as well. More details to follow but we’d love to see you if you can make it in person! There is so much to celebrate and we can’t wait to do it with you!

Join our Team: We are Hiring

Are you looking for an exciting new role in programming? Are you looking for a role that will allow you to creatively work with volunteers, families, agencies and advocates? Do you enjoy networking, outreach and marketing, and some database management? Are you able to manage your time independently, stay organized, keep others informed and meet deadlines? If you think this sounds like you, let’s talk! We are hiring a new Program Director to catapult our support, education and volunteer programs and you may be just the person to do it!

We are looking for a social worker, nurse, educator, end of life doula, public health expert, or someone with a similar background. If you’ve had a few years of experience in nonprofit work, end of life care, public speaking, volunteer management, or other skills and talents that you believe would be valuable, I want to speak to you! Reach out to me at mandi@eolcny.org for an informational meeting. We are working on a formal job posting but if you have any interest in the meantime, please let me know.

Barbara Swartz End of Life Choices Lecture

The Barbara Swartz Annual Lecture is only a day away! Please join us tomorrow to hear from renowned bioethicist and legal scholar Thaddeus Pope, who will both review and expand upon the latest information regarding Medical Aid in Dying, end of life healthcare, and the legal and ethical principles of a dignified death. Following Dr. Pope, Carol Abolafia will share about her family’s experience supporting her mother, Barbara Goodfriend, through the decision to die on her own terms. We will also share any updates on the legislation as it is rapidly moving forward. You will not want to miss these thoughtful presenters. The event starts at 6:00pm EST.

Medical Aid in Dying Campaign Update

After over ten years of effort, the New York State Assembly finally passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act on Tuesday by a vote of 81-67. The bill was debated for over 4 hours, with our sponsor, Assemblywoman Amy Paulin, offering a stellar defense of the need for MAID. Over those four hours, Republican opponents criticized the bill on numerous fronts: it is poorly drafted; it will enable unethical individuals to push the vulnerable to their death; enacting it would violate their religious beliefs; and evidence around the world shows that this is just the first step towards allowing anyone for any reason to legally end their life. In the end, every Republican voted no, which was expected. A few Democrats also voted no, with the few Democrats who spoke in opposition expressing religious concerns or a fear that the history of racial discrimination in the health care system could lead to abuses if MAID were to become law. As legislators explained their votes, many lauded the efforts of MAID advocates who over the years have persistently and respectfully advocated for the passage of this bill – so kudos to all of you for your efforts!

The bill now moves on to the Senate, where a vote is still uncertain to happen. Kate Lisa of Capitol Tonight asked if the Senate planned to bring the Medical Aid in Dying bill (S.138) to a vote. Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the Senate Majority leader, said she would have to gauge her conference’s thoughts on the policy after the Budget had been officially passed, noting it was something members had begun “to look at this in a more curious way” in the last year. While she said she planned to have a conversation about Medical Aid in Dying with her members she added it would only reach the Floor if she was sure of having the votes to secure its passage. To that end, please continue to reach out to your senators and let them know that you want this bill passed. If you don’t know who your senator is, you can find out here.

Ask Us Anything

Q: Does the proposed medical aid in dying bill allow people with mental health issues as a primary diagnosis to avail themselves of this option?

A: There must be an incurable, physical illness with a prognosis of six-months or less to qualify for medical aid in dying. If a physician is concerned that a patient does not have the capacity to make that decision, they must refer the patient to a mental health provider.

If you have a question you’d like answered, send it here!

Stay Connected

Get latest news and updates from End of Life Choices New York in your inbox.

By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to the information highlighted in our Privacy Policy.