Disability groups sue New York and Illinois over doctor-assisted suicide laws

A coalition of disability-advocacy organizations filed federal lawsuits Thursday seeking to block doctor-assisted suicide laws in New York and Illinois. The complaints, lodged in the U.S. Eastern District Court in Brooklyn and in Illinois federal court, argue that the statutes discriminate against people with disabilities by making lethal medication available only to those certified as terminally ill.

Laws and effective dates New York’s statute, signed February 6, takes effect August 5 and permits terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request medication to end their lives. The state Health Department issued implementing rules earlier this month. Illinois maintains a comparable statute that likewise authorizes physician-assisted death for qualifying patients.

Plaintiffs’ arguments The suits contend the laws violate the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fourteenth Amendment’s equal-protection and due-process guarantees by denying disabled individuals the same suicide-prevention and supportive-care services provided to others.

One plaintiff, Jose Hernández of the United Spinal Association, said his mother survived Stage IV ovarian cancer for 13 years after physicians estimated she had six months to live; he stated he was grateful assisted suicide was unavailable at the time.

Hochul said the administration could not comment on pending litigation but described the New York measure as allowing terminally ill residents to make a voluntary, informed decision. The governor previously stated the legislation safeguards bodily autonomy for those facing terminal illness. State Attorney General Letitia James’s office, which will represent the state, declined to comment.