On June 10, the New York State Senate passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act (S.138) with a majority of 35 to 27. This bill allows the prescribing of lethal drugs for patients who have been diagnosed with six or fewer months to live by two physicians, and have been referred for a psychiatric evaluation by their physician if necessary.
The Orthodox Union (OU) and Agudath Israel of America released statements expressing their disappointment in this legislative decision.
“Since time immemorial, civilized societies have drawn a hard line on the issue of suicide. Taking one’s own life is a tragedy of untold proportion,” said Rabbi David Zwiebel, Agudath Israel’s executive vice president, in a statement. “Allowing physicians—whose calling is to heal—to serve as active accomplices in bringing about this tragedy of taking human life is a profound moral and practical misstep.”
Rabbi Yeruchim Silber, Agudath Israel’s director of New York government relations, spoke out as well. “For the last decade, Agudath Israel has been an important part of a coalition of religious and disability rights groups opposing this legislation. We have met dozens of legislators on this issue, testified publicly and sent out numerous action alerts. We are deeply disappointed at today’s vote and strongly urge Governor [Kathy] Hochul to veto this bill.”
The OU posted a statement on their official X account, commenting on how this is a misplacement of priorities by the New York State Senate. “New Yorkers do not need assisted suicide; they need a whole-of-society effort to provide ‘Medical and Social Aid in Living’…That effort needs to be led and supported by the government, medical and mental health providers, educators and the faith community. Instead, the government is leading the way in validating, accepting and accelerating despair,” the statement read in part.
The statement added that while the OU understands not everyone in New York shares their religious perspective, it has been seen in places like Canada that “… the ‘right to die’ morphs into an obligation not to burden family, medical facilities, insurers and society by continuing to live with terminal illnesses, mental illnesses and disabilities.” and that “Governor Hochul is the only person between us and this slippery slope.”
