Celebrating one year with EOLCNY

Update on Medical Aid in Dying Implementation

Medical aid in dying implementation has been going well in New York. We have worked with residents from over 22 counties in this state who are seeking information about this option. This is incredibly encouraging news as our fear was that the law would pass but no one would know about it. And although there is certainly more work to do done, we are encouraged by the initial interest from patients, doctors, healthcare facilities and other senior-serving organizations. In addition to this, here are some additional encouraging stats:

• Over 100 people have inquired about end of life options since August. 5, 2026. This has tripled since the same time last year. These inquiries were not all about medical aid in dying, and not everyone who was interested in it will qualify, but the fact that they are reaching out for support is good news.
• We are aware of approximately 20 patients that have completed the process of medical aid in dying. We have not heard of any complications and all deaths were reportedly peaceful. There are likely at least 10-15 additional patients that have completed the process with hospitals and private doctors that did not come directly through EOLCNY.
• We have been working with 14 independent physicians who are able to provide this care. That is significantly more than several other states surrounding NY that have had access to this law for several years. That is due to our outreach and the eduction we have been able to provide these physicians. We will continue to do more outreach to make it even more accessible. These physicians are independent, so this does not include several healthcare facilities that have staff physicians who are also willing and able to provide this care.
• There are at least 8 compounding pharmacies around the state providing the needed medication. The pharmacies have been very easy to work with and they have been shipping the medication around the state, so patients even in rural areas are able to get them. The medication is not covered by insurance and can cost up to $1000 which can certainly be challenging for some people. We are working on ways to lower the cost of the medication and would like to see Medicaid cover the cost as well.

If you are a patient needing coordination of services, please complete this intake form and we will work to make the needed referrals. EOLCNY also created a comprehensive guide to medical aid in dying in NY that can be accessed on our website and/or downloaded if needed.

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.

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.