Proceeding down this path would be both a moral and practical failure, violating the sanctity of life and leading to a further erosion in the health and well-being of society’s most vulnerable.
At a time that New York State is struggling to address the spiraling numbers of “deaths of despair” resulting from alcoholism, substance abuse, and suicides, this legislation is a giant step in the wrong direction.
What we need is a whole-of society effort to provide “Medical and Social Aid in Living,” to build hope and enhance care and treatment for the terminally ill and for the physically, emotionally, and economically vulnerable, young and old. 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.
We well understand that not all New Yorkers share the religious community’s perspective on the sanctity of life and that those facing death from terminal illness may seek to avoid a prolonged dying process. That does not justify legalizing a practice that has proven in Canada and elsewhere to be the ultimate slippery slope, where 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. That is why this legislation is opposed by the Center for Disability Rights and why the American Medical Association sees physician-assisted suicide as “fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer.” With the provision of the easy and accessible option of assisted suicide, will we ever see the long-overdue investment in enhancing care and treatment for those suffering?
Under any circumstances, the current bill before the NYS legislature is fundamentally flawed as it glaringly and unconscionably omits any requirement to screen the patients for depression, only requiring confirmation of decision-making capacity.
We call upon our elected representatives not to use our mandate to sign their names on legislation that will lead our society down a treacherous path that will ultimately have adverse effects on the lives of all New Yorkers. And should the legislation proceed, we strongly urge Governor Hochul to hear the voice of the faith community and use her veto power to protect us all.
Please click here to email your New York State Senator NOW. A phone call is even better than an email, click here to find your Senator’s number.
Sincerely,
Mitchel Aeder, President
Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President
Rabbi Dr. Josh Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer