New York Governor Kathy Hochul has agreed to sign a landmark Right-to-Die bill, making physician-assisted suicide legal in the state. This new law permits terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live to request medication to end their lives. It requires the approval of three doctors and includes several safeguards, such as a mental health evaluation, a video request, and a five-day waiting period.

Governor Hochul, who is Catholic, acknowledged the religious conflict she faced in making this decision. She emphasized that the law is about providing options for the 20 million residents of New York. "I watched my own mom die from A.L.S.," she shared in an essay, highlighting her personal connection to the issue.

The bill, known as the Medical Aid in Dying Act, aligns New York with twelve other states and Washington, D.C., which have similar laws. However, it has faced opposition from religious groups and some disability-rights advocates. The New York State Catholic Conference described the bill as "egregious," arguing it abandons vulnerable citizens.

According to The New York Times, the law includes amendments to address concerns about potential coercion, requiring a psychiatrist or psychologist to confirm the patient's decision is voluntary.

The measure is expected to take effect six months after signing, with some exceptions for urgent cases. Governor Hochul's decision follows a decade-long debate, with proponents arguing for the right to end suffering on one's own terms.

While the law has been met with mixed reactions, a recent Siena University poll indicates that 54 percent of New Yorkers support the legislation. Governor Hochul's amendments aim to ensure that the decision to end one's life is made with full autonomy and without external pressure.

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