By James J Brodell

The popularity of abortions, now called by proponents women’s health, has at least deadened the public’s abhorrence to murder. Opponents to killing babies in the womb frequently argued that acceptance of this activity might quickly expand to other groups in society, perhaps the elderly or infirm.

Now, New York lawmakers have passed an assisted suicide bill. If Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the measure, New York will join 11 other U.S. states or districts that already have a similar law.

Supporters in the New York Legislature characterize the bill as one of compassion to end pain.

Canada also has such a bill, but it only applies to those eligible for health services funded by a province or territory, or the federal government, according to a government summary.

The states and districts in the U.S. where assisted suicide is legal to some extent are California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont and Washington. Lawmakers in some 18 more are considering a similar measure, according to the organization Death with Dignity, which says its mission focuses on improving how people with terminal illness die.

The organization adds “Our goal is to ensure people with terminal illness can decide for themselves what a good death means in accordance with their values and beliefs, and that should include having an option for death with dignity. We won’t stop until that is a reality.” That’s pretty much the argument of those who support such a measure. No one says they approve to reduce government spending on old sick people.

The Death with Dignity website contains many suggestion for those seeking death, including how to write their own obituary and help for thorny issues like what to do with pets.

Just like in Canada, the New York bill applies only to individuals who must have at least consulted with a physician. The New York measure requires those seeking death to be terminally ill. Canada does not, although those seeking to end their life there must at least experience unbearable physical or mental suffering from an illness, disease, disability or state of decline that cannot be relieved under conditions that the individual considers acceptable, according to the government.

One study, Medical Spending of the US Elderly, reported that U.S. medical expenses more than double between ages 70 and 90 and that they are very concentrated: the top 10 per cent of all spenders are responsible for 52 per cent of medical spending in a given year. In addition, those currently experiencing either very low or very high medical expenses are likely to find themselves in the same position in the future. The 2016 study, reported on the National Institute for Health website, also found that the poor consume more medical goods and services than the rich and have a much larger share of their expenses covered by the government.

Overall, the government pays for over 65 per cent of the elderly’s medical expenses, the study added in an abstract.

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James Brodell, A.M. Costa Rica editor emeritus, is a retired journalism professor and a New York Metro area newspaper editor. He has studied U.S. open records and open meeting laws extensively. He can be reached at JBrodell@jamesbrodell.com or Jay@amcostarica.com.

Check out Brodell literary offerings here at 5440north.com or JamesBrodell.com  -Copyright James J. Brodell 2025 -

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The views or opinions expressed in this article are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinion of A.M. Costa Rica.

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