Advocates for physician assisted suicide dismiss opposition from Catholic Church

New York Daily News, The (NY)

Jan. 28--The following is an expanded version of the third item from my "Albany Insider" column from Monday's print editions:

ALBANY -- With New York having strengthened and expanded abortion rights and set to pass the Child Victims Act over Church objections, the state Catholic Conference headed by Timothy Cardinal Dolan is now prioritizing blocking a bill to legalize physician assisted suicide.

But advocates for the measure say bring it on.

"As a Catholic, I have great respect for the Church and its leadership," said Corinne Carey, New York campaign director for Compassion & Choices. "However, the Catholic Church has been on the wrong side of so many important public policies for years."

She cited the church's longstanding opposition to expanding and strengthening the state's abortion laws, the Child Victims Act to make it easier for child sex abuse victims to seek justice, legalizing gay marriage, covering transgender New Yorkers in the state's anti-discrimination laws, and requiring insurance companies to provide free contraception coverage.

All have ultimately passed or, in the case of the Child Victims Act, is about to on Monday.

"While disappointing, it's not particularly surprising that the Catholic Church is wrong again by opposing a law to allow a compassionate option for dying New Yorkers," Carey said. "Just as the Legislature ultimately made the right decisions on CVA, marriage equality, and reproductive rights despite Church opposition, we're confident the Legislature will do the right thing on medical aid in dying."

Supporters of the bill say they believe that with the Republicans no longer controlling the Senate, the chances of the measure passing have grown.

A recent Quinnipiac University poll shows that 63% of New Yorkers support physician assisted suicide, including 51% of Republicans.

"The key is educating voters and sharing real stories from real New Yorkers -- dying New Yorkers, family members of New Yorkers who suffered horribly at the end of their lives, etc.," said one source close to the issue. "The Catholic Church and Conservative Party will always remain opposed but their views reflect the views of a minority of New Yorkers."

Dennis Poust, a spokesman for the state Catholic Conference headed by Timothy Cardinal Dolan, said physician assisted suicide "is not a Catholic issue."

"It's a human life issue," Poust said. "There are many opponents , including those who advocate for people with disabilities and patients rights and the elderly. We're proud to be in a coalition that stands up for those who may be exploited at the end of life."

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