Dear Friends,

As you know, the New York State Assembly passed assisted suicide by a slim margin of 81 votes, only five above the required 76 for passage. With strong bipartisan opposition, the bill slinked its way to the Senate where it has sat for the last month. The New York assisted suicide bill, S. 138, has no residency requirement which means that anyone from around the country can get lethal drugs from a doctor they have no preexisting relationship with, in a state they may have never been to before.

We are now hearing that it may come up as early as TOMORROW (Monday) for a floor vote.
Because the New York bill does not have a residency requirement, all of our loved ones are at risk from the dangers of assisted suicide passing in New York State even if they don't live there. Remember, when assisted suicide bills pass, it is often by just one or two votes. Your voice really does make a difference! 

Here are the things you can do to prevent this from happening: 

• Call the legislators on the list below 
• Email the legislators on the list below
• If you are able, show up in Albany at 12pm on Monday, June 9th, to demonstrate against assisted suicide (For more information please check out the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide)
  
  

  Senator Name                               Email                                                 Albany Office                   

  Andrea Stewart-Cousins         [email protected]                           518-455-2585
  Andrew Gounardes                 [email protected]                        518-455-3270
  Brian Kavanagh                      [email protected]                          518-455-2625
  Jamaal Bailey                         [email protected]                   518-455-2061
  John Liu                                  [email protected]                                      518-455-2210

  Joseph Addabbo                     [email protected]                           518-455-2322
  Kevin Parker                           [email protected]                               518-455-2580

  Patricia Fahy                           [email protected]                                 518-455-2225
  Shelley Mayer                         [email protected]                             518-455-2031
  Toby Ann Stavisky                  [email protected]                             518-455-3461

   

  PLEASE ACT NOW! A sample script for phone calls can be found below. 
  
  Their push to legalize assisted suicide has not been easy- we have held it back until this final week of session. It is now all hands on deck to mobilize and make sure this session ends without legalizing state-sanctioned suicide. Grateful to be in this work with you!

Sample Script
Hello,
My name is [insert name], and I am calling to express my concerns regarding the Medical Aid in Dying Act and ask Senator [last name] to vote NO on S 138.
S 138 does not include mandatory psychological evaluations to screen for depression or a mechanism or
agency responsible for investigating coercion, which particularly puts people with disabilities at risk. This is opposed by every major disability rights organization; please listen to them and oppose this discriminatory bill. 

Question: Does Senator [last name] have a stance on this issue?
I am deeply concerned that this legislation is moving forward while New York ranks last in hospice usage. 
Please vote NO on S 138 and instead promote investment in accessible health care, including preventative, palliative, and hospice care. Thank you for your time.