ALBANY, NY (WENY)--FOR NEARLY A DECADE A BILL TO LEGALIZE MEDICAL AID IN DYING HAS BEEN STALLED IN ALBANY.  

TEN OTHER STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA HAVE PASSED THIS LAW.  

SOME LAWMAKERS SAid WHILE NEW YORK LEADS THE WAY ON HEALTH POLICIES RELATED TO BODILY autonomy LIKE ABORTION, IT LAGS BEHIND ON MEDICAL AID IN DYING.  

“We can no longer say we’re for choice unless we are for all choices. All choices. This is a choice that its time New York understood,” said Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D-Assembly District 88).

ADVOCATES TRAVELED FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO COME TO ALBANY AND FIGHT FOR THIS legislation’s PASSING. 

ONE ADVOCATE -- A DOCTOR FROM WASHINGTON D.C. WHERE MEDICAL AID IN DYING IS LEGAL – ARGUED THIS IS A WELL-THOUGHT-OUT OPTION FOR END-OF-LIFE CARE AND ENDS unnecessary SUFFERING FOR PATIENTS.  

“I always encourage, and I inquire why wait? What are we waiting for? Why wait to see how many more people have to suffer at their end-of-life care?” said Dr. Sonja Richmond, MD.

THE LEGISLATION IS CURRENTLY IN SENATE AND ASSEMBLY COMMITTEES.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PAULIN SAid THE LEGISLATION HAS GROWING SUPPORT IN THE LEGISLATURE -- AND THEY ARE WORKING HARD TO ADDRESS OTHER MEMBERS' OPPOSITION BY MAKING AMENDMENTS.  

SOME ADVOCATES SAid IF PASSED, THE LEGISLATION WILL HAVE AN extraordinary IMPACT FOR NEW YORKERS. 

“This is a measure that will cost the state nothing, but it will mean everything to dying individuals in New York and their families,” said Corinne Carey, campaign director for Compassion & Choices.