New York enacts Medical Aid in Dying Act
New York recently enacted the Medical Aid in Dying Act, which permits eligible terminally ill adults to request medication to end their lives under specified conditions. This article outlines the law's eligibility criteria, procedural safeguards, and documentation requirements, as well as the responsibilities and protections afforded to physicians, advanced practice clinicians, pharmacists, and healthcare institutions. The article also discusses issues such as informed consent, conscientious objection, recordkeeping, liability protections, and compliance with professional standards, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals and regulators to develop policies and guidance that support consistent implementation while balancing patient autonomy, ethical considerations, and public protection.