ITHACA, N.Y. (WHCU) – Tompkins County leaders will learn more about a potential bill for end-of-life care options.

If passed, the 2023 New York Medical Aid in Dying Act would allow mentally competent, terminally ill patients to request medication that would accelerate death. The medication would need to be prescribed and self-administered. The bill has protections written into it for physicians who prescribe medicine for a patient. Proponents say it allows people to die with dignity and avoid costly hospice care. Legislator Dan Klein says it’s an idea that’s gaining traction in the state and across the country.

The bill is currently in committee in the State Senate and would need to pass through multiple other levels of the legislature to be passed.

Credit: nysenate.gov

Discussion will happen at the October 16 meeting of the Tompkins County Health and Human Services Committee.