A virtual rally for a bill to allow terminally-ill New Yorkers to end their lives featured former public radio talk show host Diane Rehm, who is among those advocating for the Aid in Dying Act. Rehm’s husband, who had late-stage Parkinson’s disease, in 2014 stopped eating and drinking in order to hasten his death, a painful act that took ten days. The Rehms lived in Maryland, which like New York, does not allow medical aid-in-dying. She says the COVID-19 pandemic, where over half a million Americans have lost their lives, has made people even more aware of end of life issues.
“Now, people realize more than ever that dying could come at any time,” Rehm said. “And we must be prepared for it. We must talk to our friends, our relatives, our doctors, our loved ones about what we want and take that conversation to the state legislature.”
The bill, sponsored by Senator Diane Savino and Amy Paulin in the Assembly, has not yet advanced to the health committee in either house. Supporters say many lawmakers already back the bill, and they say they hope they can convince enough other members to see it become law. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo has already said he backs the concept. Opponents include the Catholic Church and some conservative groups.
