National Resources
Organizations and research from across the country that inform New York's debate over physician-assisted suicide and support for patients and families facing serious illness.
National Coalitions
Patients' Rights Action Fund
A national organization working to oppose the legalization of physician-assisted suicide. J.J. Hanson, who has been associated with the New York effort, has served as its President.
Allied Advocacy Groups
National coalitions and partner organizations contribute research, legal analysis, and public commentary that the Alliance draws on when addressing assisted suicide proposals in New York.
Research and Reports
Across the country, national organizations have formed to provide research, legal analysis, and public commentary on the issue of physician-assisted suicide. These groups work diligently to inform state-level debates with evidence-based perspectives on the risks and ethical concerns surrounding assisted suicide laws. Their contributions help legislators, medical professionals, and the public understand the full implications of such legislation, particularly for vulnerable populations who may feel pressured to end their lives prematurely. The collective work of these national coalitions ensures that the conversation remains grounded in patient protection and the preservation of compassionate care alternatives.
Patients facing serious illness deserve access to comprehensive support systems that affirm the value of their lives. National resources exist to connect families with palliative care options, pain management specialists, and counseling services that address the emotional and spiritual dimensions of suffering. These networks emphasize that effective end-of-life care does not require assisted suicide, but rather robust investment in hospice services, mental health support, and community-based care. By strengthening these alternatives, patients can receive dignified care that respects their autonomy without exposing them to the dangers of legalized assisted dying.
The alliance between state-level advocacy groups and national partner organizations creates a powerful network for sharing best practices and legislative strategies. These partnerships allow local efforts to benefit from nationwide research on the outcomes of assisted suicide laws in jurisdictions where they have been enacted. Concerns about inadequate safeguards, diagnostic error, and the subtle coercion of elderly or disabled individuals are documented and disseminated through these collaborative channels. Such coordination ensures that the lessons learned in one state can inform and strengthen opposition efforts in others, building a unified front for patient protection.
Medical ethics organizations and disability rights groups have emerged as critical voices in the national conversation about assisted suicide. These stakeholders highlight how legalization can fundamentally alter the physician-patient relationship, shifting the medical profession's role from healer to provider of death. Disability advocates particularly warn that assisted suicide laws disproportionately threaten people with disabilities, who already face societal devaluation and limited access to healthcare. Their perspectives underscore the importance of protecting all patients from a system that might view assisted suicide as a cost-saving measure rather than a last resort.
National research initiatives continue to examine the real-world impact of assisted suicide laws, providing objective data that informs policy debates. Studies have raised questions about whether legal safeguards are effectively enforced and whether the practice remains truly voluntary in all cases. This body of evidence helps lawmakers understand potential unintended consequences, including the expansion of eligibility criteria over time and the normalization of assisted suicide as a routine medical option. The ongoing collection and analysis of this data remains essential for states considering legislation, ensuring decisions are made with a full understanding of the risks involved.
National organizations have published research and commentary cited in New York's debate, including analysis submitted during Myers v. Schneiderman, the case in which the New York State Court of Appeals ruled on September 7, 2017 that there is no constitutional right to assisted suicide. Groups such as Agudath Israel of America filed an amicus curiae brief in that case in April 2017.
These materials cover topics such as safeguards in existing aid-in-dying laws in states including Oregon, Washington, Vermont, and Montana, as well as arguments for strengthening hospice and palliative care as an alternative.
For New York-specific statistics, hospice data, and additional background, visit our Facts section.