An update on Implementation

Mandi Zucker

August 20, 2026

Live How You Like, Leave How You Like

Two weeks into medical aid in dying implementation and we can confidently say that all of the work we have been doing over the past year to be prepared for this moment has been worth it. We have physicians ready to provide care, pharmacists able to dispense medications, mental health providers able to provide capacity evaluations, volunteers willing to be with patients at the bedside and witnessed for necessary documentation. And in fact, many of these people have already been called on. We are aware of at least one person that has utilized the law already, and were told the process was incredibly smooth and peaceful. We have many others that are preparing for this possibility as well.

Dozen of people have called us in the past few weeks looking for service. And fortunately, we have not had to turn anyone away. We have been able to connect every eligible person that has called with a clinician that has been able to provide care. We are so grateful to all of the professionals that have partnered with us, willing to be as flexible as possible to make sure each patient gets the care that they deserve, aligned with their own values and wishes.

As you may know, we had a campaign to raise $80,526 by 8.05.26- and I already announced that we were able to raise those funds. Today I can announce that we exceeded our goal and actually raised $105,368! These funds allow us to answer the phone and spend a significant amount of time with people who are calling with a lot of questions. Each call can take up to one hour, and we are proud to be able to provide the needed education and support to each family that calls. That is because of your generosity, and I just wanted to make sure you know how appreciative we are to be able to do that.

Sincerely,
Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT
Executive Director, End of Life Choices New York

In the News

Recent Events

We have been very busy educating the community about medical aid in dying. watch, listen or read some of the presentations, interviews and educational events we have been engaging in lately:

Medical Aid in Dying Act Takes Effect: EOLCNY Board Member John Spiro spoke with ABC News 10 to share the story of his mom who used medical aid in dying in Vermont last year.
Medical Aid in Dying in NY: A Changing Medical and Legal Landscape for Terminally Ill New Yorkers and Healthcare Professionals: An in-depth article published by New York State Bar Association examines the legal and ethical dilemmas related to this option.
Capitol Pressroom: Terminally Ill New Yorkers can now Seek Medical Aid in Dying: Program Director Nathalie Chara spoke with David Lombardo to discuss the implementation of medical aid in dying.
Pix11 New York’s Controversial Medical Aid in Dying Law Takes Effect Amid Legal Fight: Executive Director Mandi Zucker spoke with Geovany Dias on Pix11 News to talk about the law and highlighted a patient who used medical aid in dying in another state before the law was implemented.
Brian Lehrer Radio Show: Medical Aid in Dying Takes Effect: Senior Consultant David Leven was interviewed with Assemblymember Amy Paulin about the passage of the medical aid in dying bill.

Upcoming Events

We have several upcoming events that we encourage you to join. Find one, or several, options that you connect to and join us!

Meet-n-Greet. There is no meet-n-greet in August. Mark your calendar for the next one on September, 14th at 3 PM. Registration link will be available in the next newsletter in two weeks.
End of Life Choices New York’s End of Life Binder Making in Manhattan! “Essentials: Emergency and End of Life Binder” is a customizable collection of documents that serves as a guide to making your wishes and values known for emergency situations and the end of your life. August 27 at 10 AM. Register here.
Medical Aid in Dying Peer Support Group (on Zoom): Are you considering using Medical Aid in Dying? Is a family member or friend considering Medical Aid in Dying? Join End of Life Choices New York for a Medical Aid in Dying Peer Support Group where we support and affirm each other as a community. Join us on September 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Register for this free support group here.
Medical Aid in Dying Community Presentation: MAiD is an option for terminally-ill patients who meet eligibility criteria to hasten their death. Join End of Life Choices New York on September 2, 2026 at 11 AM as we host a community education session to inform you about MAiD and answer your questions. Register for the free presentation here.
Dying (to) Talk: A Conversation about Medical Aid in Dying: September 18 from 12- 5 PM. Mandi Zucker will be speaking at this in-person event in Rochester, NY to learn, reflect and connect with others about a conversation many of us long to have but don’t know where to begin. Register here

Update on Medical Aid in Dying Implementation

We have been honored to speak to dozens of individuals and families over the past two weeks who are seeking aid in dying care. While we continue to provide support to New Yorkers as they call, we are also connecting with more and more clinicians that are interested in providing this care. We have connected with several doctors who will provide this service and have different business models to meet the needs of many different patients. We have, up to this point, been able to connect every patient with a doctor that meets their needs, and we are incredibly proud that we have been able to do that. If you are a patient needing coordination of services, please complete this survey and we will work to make the needed referrals. We are continuing our outreach and developing stronger relationships with hospices around the state who will provide some or all of the necessary care for their patients. We are working with them to fill in any gaps in service, as well as connect them to the needed education so they can provide excellent care if they chose to do so. If you are meeting with your doctor in the next few weeks or months, don’t forget to ask them if they will be providing aid in dying care! If they are interested, please make an introduction so we can provide them with all the support they need! Share this flyer with them or ask if they’d be open to a conversation about medical aid in dying with End of Life Choices New York and The Academy of Aid-in-Dying Medicine. We would be happy to schedule a call to introduce them to the practice and provide resources for them to feel competent and capable to practice in this area.

We are meeting with the Department of Health this week to clarify some outstanding questions and provide any support we can as well. We will let you know of any significant developments as soon as we know of any!

We have also been able to connect patients with family members of people who used medical aid in dying in other states, so they can begin to learn what the process was generally like (although it will be slightly different in each state) and ask questions that only family and friends will be able to answer. We are honored to be able to coordinate this part of the process. If you are in need, please reach out to us!

If you learn of trainings in your community, please forward them to us so we can reach out and let them know about the support we can provide. We are thrilled that we have been seeing trainings popping up and we want to support any organization to provide the best quality care possible.

We continue to receive many requests by major media outlets to interview people who are considering this option when it becomes available. This is an important way we can use the media to bring more awareness about this option. If you have been diagnosed with a terminal illness and will likely be eligible to use medical aid in dying in the next 6-12 months, and you’d be willing to talk to the media either in print or on TV, please let me know. I can put you in touch with very sensitive reporters and producers who want to help share your story in a compassionate and dignified manner.

Ask Us Anything

Q: Since much of the process for medical aid in dying is not covered by insurance, I am afraid I will not be able to afford it. Can you help me?

A: We have cultivated relationships with all sorts of doctors, some of whom provide a very comprehensive service for a fee, and others who also provide excellent care at more budget-friendly prices. If you are concerned about finances, please reach out to us and we will do what we can to connect you with providers who can work with your budget.

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

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