MAID advocates could be excused if they were demonstrating elation as last year drew to a close. After all, 2025 had been one for the record books: after having Nevada's bill which passed in both chambers in 2023, only to be vetoed by GOP Gov Lombardo on June 5, 2023, despite 82% state-wide support, and Delaware's bill which passed in both chambers in 2024 only to see lame duck Governor John Carney veto the bill on Sept 20, 2024, advocates were hopeful 2025 would bring a change in fortunes.
And it certainly did. In the US, in quick succession, Assisted Dying Bills passed in Delaware when newly elected Governor Matt Meyer signed the Ron Silverio/Heather Block End of Life Options Act on May 20, 2025. The law came into effect on Jan 1, 2026.
In Illinois, parallel bills were introduced in the House and Senate under the name End of Life Options for Terminally Ill Patients Act, passing in the House 63-42 in May 2025 and in the Senate 30-27 in October., On Dec 12, 2025 in a Christmas gift to terminally ill Illinoisans, Govt J. B. Pritzker signed SB 1950, called Deb's law in honor of Deb Robertson, a terminally ill Illinoisan advocate. The law comes into effect Sept 12, 2026. The law parallels the procedures and safeguards of the original Death with Dignity Act of Oregon in 1997.
Finally, a perfect trifecta came to fruition in New York. After years of stalled efforts, the Assembly passed the Medical Aid in Dying Act in April 2025, followed shortly thereafter in June by the State Senate companion bill, sending the legislation to Gov Hochul for signature. Had this bill been enacted as passed, it would have been without a doubt the most accessible law in the land and given to North Carolinians a rare opportunity to expeditiously access MAID with the possibility of returning to NC to take the medicine surrounded by their loved ones in the comfort of their home, the ultimate wish of every dying patient.
And this is where the reaction began to set in: Gov Hochul, facing fierce opposition from the usual suspects-- her GOP opponent in her upcoming gubernatorial election, the concerted effort of a united Catholic hierarchical front with op eds from bishops across the state; virulent extremist disability rights' advocates claiming falsely that this law somehow diminishes their worth. In order to placate these outspoken opponents, Gov Hochul insisted on several amendments before she would sign the bill: a 5 day waiting period (whereas the bill originally had none); a requirement that only state residents were eligible (whereas before anyone from NC (or any other state) could fly up to LGA or JFK and immediately apply); a mandatory psychiatric evaluation for all applicants, as if only an individual with severe mental liabilities would wish to shorten a death sentence. The law goes into effect August 5.
An equally grievous and far reaching blow came in the lawsuit of Bryman v NJ, a challenge to New Jersey's residency requirement in its Assisted Dying law. A unanimous 3-judge panel affirmed a lower court decision which found the residency requirement despite the obvious language and intention of the Constitution's Privileges and Immunities clause, which had led both Oregon and Vermont to abolish their state residency requirement. Judge Bibas' convoluted logic supposed a Pennsylvania patient had a prescription filled in New Jersey and then returned home to Pennsylvania where Assisted Dying is illegal: could the New Jersey doctor and pharmacist find themselves in legal peril. Of course, the simple solution would be to require any out of state patient to remain in state to take the medication. The Bryman case was a grievous blow to the practice of medicine itself, as no other procedure limits access to state residents.
Abroad, while 2025 felt like Western Europe was endorsing MAID seriatim, as in quick succession Slovenia, France, England and Scotland all passed measures adopting MAID/Euthanasia, the worm was in the apple.
In France, on May 27, 2025, the Assembly, the lower chamber approved a long-debated law allowing Euthanasia for those suffering from a terminal illness 305-199 with only the Far Right parties opposed, on Jan 28, 2026 the Senate rejected the measure 181-122 with 38 abstentions. The bill now goes back to the Assembly in what is colloquially known as a game of ping-pong.
Similarly in England and Wales, a bill allowing the Terminally Ill to have access to euthanasia, passed on its 3rd reading on June 20, 2025 by a close vote of 314-291. The House of Lords voted the measure down in early 2026.
Finally in Slovenia, the Parliament approved a bill for Euthanasia 50-34 on July 18, 2025 for adults suffering unbearably with no reasonable prospects of recovery. However, opponents were able to muster the 40,000 signatures necessary to invoke a national referendum, at which by 53% to 46%, the 41% of voters who participated voted the law down. Parliament cannot take the measure up again for another 12 months.
Some reaction or backlash had to have been expected, as opponents are as convinced of the righteousness of their beliefs as are advocates. Appeals to fear, prejudice and the wrath of God are enough to galvanize a coalition of opponents, from the religious right, to the hoary medical die-hards to the embittered disabled extremists. They are fighting history, biology and modern science. But in the meanwhile, they are having their hopefully brief day in the sun.
