Governor’s Approval of Assisted Suicide Puts Most Vulnerable at Risk
From the Office of Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski,
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski said that Governor Kathy Hochul has announced that she will sign assisted suicide – the so-called Medical Aid in Dying Act – into law. Sempolinski stated that this law will put the most vulnerable New Yorkers, those with disabilities and chronic illnesses, at mortal risk and that Governor Hochul’s decision proves she is unfit for office.
“Tragically, Governor Hochul has decided to sign assisted suicide into law in the State of New York,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “This is an abominable decision that I fear will lead to the destruction of the most vulnerable among us, especially the developmentally disabled. Every Republican in the state legislature and many Democrats of conscience voted against this legislation. What a horribly sad, disgraceful day for New York State. The Governor is unfit for her office.”
As Ranking Member of the Assembly Mental Health Committee and a member of the People with Disabilities Committee, Assemblyman Sempolinski is a steadfast defender of the disabled and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
During the legislative session, Assemblyman Sempolinski spoke out against the assisted suicide bill, arguing that the assisted suicide law will result the disabled and chronically ill being coerced into choosing medically assisted suicide.
His daughter, JoJo, has Down Syndrome and multiple congenital heart defects. Assemblyman Sempolinski said he can sadly now envision a future where, one day, a medical provider may convince JoJo as an adult to end her life.
“As the father of a daughter with a developmental disability, I fear that legalized assisted suicide will eventually be abused to harm the disabled,” he said. “I can see a day when someone will induce, trick or coerce my daughter into killing herself. Once this option is created, it will be abused. The terminally ill need access to quality hospice and palliative care, but the answer is not suicide. I stand for life.”
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski represents the 148th New York Assembly District, which consists of all of Cattaraugus and Allegany counties and portions of Steuben County. For more information, visit Assemblyman Sempolinski’s website.
