Since New York’s Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) law took effect in early August, approximately 20 terminally ill patients have chosen to end their lives under the state’s assisted suicide program, according to an expert familiar with its early implementation. David Hoffman, an assistant professor of professional practice in bioethics at Columbia University, based this estimate on communications with physicians, hospitals, and organizations involved in the program, including the Completed Life Initiative.
The MAiD law, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul in February and enacted August 5, makes New York the 14th state nationwide to legalize physician-assisted death. The legislation was passed amid significant debate, receiving an 81-67 vote in the State Assembly and a more narrowly divided 35-27 approval in the State Senate earlier this year.
Under the law, terminally ill patients 18 years or older with a prognosis of six months or less to live may request a prescription for medication intended to hasten death. Eligibility requires confirmation from two physicians regarding the terminal diagnosis and the patient’s mental and physical capacity to self-administer the medication. Patients must also undergo a psychiatric evaluation and submit an audio or video recording making the request. Unlike some states such as Oregon, New York requires residency as a condition for access. The law includes a mandatory five-day waiting period between prescription and dispensing.
The state Department of Health is charged with compiling annual reports detailing program usage, but it has not released specific data yet on how many patients have utilized MAiD. Hoffman noted that while doctors are required to report prescriptions to the department, there is no obligation to confirm whether the medication was ultimately ingested, and some physicians may choose not to report at all. A spokesman for the Department of Health reiterated that a public annual report will provide relevant statistics as stipulated by law, but declined to offer real-time participation numbers.
Assemblyman Andrew Molitor, an opponent of the legislation, has called for greater transparency, arguing that the public deserves timely information on how many individuals have requested and used the program. He suggests that data should include patients’ socioeconomic status, insurance coverage—whether private or Medicaid—their diagnoses, the timing of prescriptions, and locations of administration.
Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald emphasized that decisions about end-of-life care remain deeply personal and are best made in consultation with patients’ medical providers and loved ones. He stated that the department has worked carefully to establish regulations that ensure dignity and comfort for those who choose to use Medical Aid in Dying while protecting against misuse.
Despite the law’s recent implementation, some legislators remain unsettled by the lack of immediate public data. Senator George Borello, who opposed the bill, expressed frustration with having to wait for the first official report, underscoring ongoing political debates surrounding the law’s transparency and oversight.