Overview
- New York became the 13th state to allow medical aid in dying after Gov. Kathy Hochul signed the law on Feb. 6, permitting physicians to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients.
- Advocacy group Compassion & Choices is screening short films and hosting discussions across Connecticut as supporters, including death doula Deltra James, seek to build momentum.
- Judiciary Committee co-chair Sen. Gary Winfield says the compressed session and competing priorities, including judicial nominations and other major bills, could block action this year.
- Opponents such as the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference argue the practice violates moral principles and point to Canadian data showing 16,499 assisted deaths in 2024, roughly 1 in 20 deaths, with some cases tied to mental health reasons.
- A Daily Wire opinion piece condemns New York’s law as unethical and economically risky, warning of potential scope creep and urging greater investment in hospice, palliative care, and in-home support.