Newsweek - New York has recently joined a number of other U.S. states that have made assisted dying legal. The state's Senate approved a bill on Monday allowing constituents with terminal diagnoses to end their lives on their own terms, and the legislation is now headed to Governor Kathy Hochul for her to sign into law.
There are currently 10 states, as well as the District of Columbia, that have passed laws making medical assistance in dying (MAID) legal, according to Death With Dignity, and a number of others are considering similar legislation this year.
Assisted dying laws are extremely divisive and are being considered and sworn into law in various countries across the globe.
Those in favor say the legislation allows terminally ill individuals to seek medical assistance in ending their lives under specific conditions, promoting personal autonomy and a relief from suffering.
Critics have voiced concern over suicide contagion, a phenomenon where increased exposure to suicide is believed to trigger suicidal behavior in others, and what the legislation means for the deaths of patients struggling with depression.
In the U.S., California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington all have legislation in place that enables those in the states to access MAID.
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