This week saw Democratic lawmakers in the New York state Senate pass a controversial bill which aims to legalize assisted suicide.

Breitbart noted that if signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, it will make New York the 13th jurisdiction in which doctors can help kill the sick. 

Six Democrats joined with Republicans in opposing bill

Under the provisions of S138, physicians would be permitted to prescribe lethal drugs for those who are expected to pass away within six months or less.

According to Breitbart, the bill passed on Monday by a vote of 35 to 27, with six Democratic legislators joining with Republicans to oppose it.

They are Sens. Senators April Baskin, Siela Bynoe, Cordelle Cleare, Monica Martinez, Roxanne Persaud, and Sam Sutton.

Breitbart observed that Hochul has not yet indicated whether she intends to sign the bill, and is being asked not to do so by critics like the New York Alliance Against Assisted Suicide.

Critics warn that bill "is only the beginning"

"The Governor still has the opportunity to uphold New York’s commitment to suicide prevention, protect vulnerable communities, and affirm that every life—regardless of disability, age, or diagnosis—is worthy of care, dignity, and protection," Breitbart quoted the group as saying in a statement.

Dennis Poust serves as executive director of the New York State Catholic Conference, and he released a statement which predicted that "this is only the beginning."

“For the first time in its history, New York is on the verge of authorizing doctors to help their patients commit suicide,” Poust said.

"Make no mistake – this is only the beginning, and the only person standing between New York and the assisted suicide nightmare unfolding in Canada is Governor Hochul," he warned.

American Medical Association opposes assisted suicide

Meanwhile, the American Medical Association (AMA) has long voiced opposition to letting doctors participate in assisted suicide.

thank you to the American Medical Association (AMA) and its board of trustees for affirming that “the profession of medicine should not support the legalization or practice of physician assisted suicide or see it as part of a physician’s role.” pic.twitter.com/ihJMYcFXpo

— Kristin M. Collier, MD (@HSRdirector) June 9, 2025

As statement on the group's website maintains that "permitting physicians to engage in assisted suicide would ultimately cause more harm than good."

"Physician-assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician’s role as healer, would be difficult or impossible to control, and would pose serious societal risks," it insists.

Doctors are instead urged to "aggressively" address "the needs of patients at the end of life," including by providing "adequate pain control."