To the Editor:
In response to the recent op-ed ( “Will the Medical Aid in Dying Bill Become Law?,” December 2, 2025) in which the Long Island Coalition for Life (LICL) said, “LICL opposes the intentional killing of a human being through euthanasia, whether by active intervention or by omitting treatment.”
This is not killing. Rather, it is about allowing a terminally ill patient to self-administer life-ending drugs after two doctors have determined that the patient is likely to die within six months and has decision-making capacity.
Laws in 12 U.S. jurisdictions have worked well and proven that medical aid in dying is a safe, ethical medical practice that benefits patients and causes no harm to anyone. No serious problems have emerged.
This compassionate bill is about individual autonomy. If opposed, don’t use it, but patients with horrific suffering should be able to end their lives on their terms and achieve a peaceful death.
Gov. Hochul should sign the bill.
David C. Leven
Mr. Leven is the executive director emeritus and senior consultant of End of Life Choices New York.