Understanding Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)/Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) and Calvary’s Non-Participation

About Medical Aid in Dying
The NYS Medical Aid in Dying law, Article 28-F of the Public Health Law, takes effect on August 5, 2026. This refers to a process in which an attending physician prescribes medication that a qualified individual may choose to self-administer to bring about their death.

Calvary uses the terms Medical Aid in Dying and Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS) together. While New York law uses the term Medical Aid in Dying, Calvary’s Catholic moral tradition understands the practice as assisted suicide or an action intended to hasten death.

Calvary does not participate in any step of the MAiD/PAS process.

Compassionate Care Rooted in Faith

Consistent with the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs), Calvary upholds that human life is sacred from conception until natural death and, therefore, does not participate in any step of the MAiD/PAS process.

Navigating the advanced stages of a serious illness can feel overwhelming, and making profound healthcare decisions during this time is deeply personal. We believe your choices about end-of-life care require clear, honest, and accessible information. Please use this information as a foundation for dialogue with our clinical team, social workers, and chaplains who are here to accompany you.

Our Mission
Our mission reflects and affirms the inherent dignity of every human person. We are committed to reverence for human life, compassionate care, and accompaniment of patients and families at every stage of illness. We provide:

Palliative care to relieve pain and manage symptoms.
Hospice care focused on comfort and quality of life.
Proportionate, appropriate treatment based on each patient’s needs and goals.
Emotional and psychological/ psychosocial support for patients and families.
Spiritual care including chaplaincy, prayer, and access to the sacraments.

Understanding Calvary’s Role

Important information
Calvary does not participate in any step of the MAiD/PAS process:

MAiD/PAS medication may not be self-administered on Calvary premises.
Calvary personnel do not prescribe, order, dispense, store, facilitate, coordinate, witness, arrange, or otherwise participate in any step of the MAID/PAS process.
Calvary does not recommend or refer patients to MAiD/PAS providers.

Our role is to affirm each patient’s dignity, worth, and autonomy in decision-making:

We respond respectfully and do not mislead, coerce, retaliate against, or abandon patients who ask about MAiD/PAS.
We maintain compassionate presence and non-abandonment.
We provide comfort and relief of suffering.

We encourage open, respectful conversations about your goals, values, wishes, symptoms, and concerns. Staff will explain Calvary’s non-participation policy, offer appropriate palliative, hospice, symptom-management, spiritual, psychosocial, and mental-health support, and connect you with the appropriate clinical lead.

Contact Us

For support or questions about MAiD/PAS, please contact us:

Calvary Hospital at 718-518-2365
Calvary Hospice at 718-518-2465

Calvary’s full policy on Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)/Physician Assisted Suicide (PAS) is available here.

FAQs

Under New York law, Medical Aid in Dying, or MAID, is the process through which an attending physician prescribes medication that a qualified individual may choose to self-administer to bring about death. New York Public Health Law Article 28-F takes effect on August 5, 2026.

“Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD)” is the term used in New York law. Consistent with our Catholic moral tradition, Calvary also uses the term “Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS),” because the practice involves an action intended to hasten death. In these FAQs, and on this page, the combined term MAiD/PAS is used to acknowledge both the legal terminology and Calvary’s religious and ethical understanding.

No. Consistent with Calvary’s Catholic identity and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services, Calvary does not participate in the clinical MAiD/PAS process. Calvary upholds the dignity of every human person and the sacredness of human life from conception until natural death.

Calvary staff do not:

Prescribe or order MAiD/PAS medication.
Dispense, obtain, prepare, or store MAiD/PAS medication.
Facilitate or coordinate the MAiD/PAS process.
Serve as witnesses for a MAiD/PAS request.
Arrange appointments with or recommend MAiD/PAS providers.
Participate in the administration or self-administration of MAiD/PAS medication.

MAiD/PAS medication may not be self-administered on Calvary premises.

You will be treated with dignity and respect. We will:

Listen to your questions and concerns.
Explain Calvary’s non-participation policy honestly and clearly.
Discuss your goals, values, wishes, symptoms, and care concerns.
Offer palliative, hospice, symptom-management, spiritual, psychosocial, and mental-health support.
Connect you with the appropriate Calvary clinical lead.
Calvary will not mislead, coerce, retaliate against, or abandon a patient for asking about MAiD/PAS.

No. Asking about MAiD/PAS will not cause Calvary to abandon you or withhold appropriate care. Calvary will continue to provide compassionate care, relief of suffering, and support for you and your family consistent with your clinical needs, goals of care, and Calvary’s mission.

Yes. Calvary respects each patient’s dignity, worth, and role in healthcare decision-making. Calvary will provide clear information about the care we can offer and the services in which we do not participate. Patients will be treated respectfully regardless of the questions they ask or the decisions they are considering.

Calvary provides comprehensive care intended to relieve suffering and support quality of life, including:

Palliative care to relieve pain and manage symptoms.
Hospice care focused on comfort and quality of life.
Proportionate and appropriate treatment based on each patient’s condition, needs, and goals.
Emotional, psychological, and psychosocial support for patients and families.
Spiritual care, including chaplaincy, prayer, and access to the sacraments.

No. Calvary does not recommend or refer patients to MAiD/PAS providers and does not coordinate the MAiD/PAS process. Calvary will comply with applicable legal requirements and organizational policies concerning a patient-requested transfer of care and the transfer of relevant medical records.

Calvary personnel may not witness MAiD/PAS or participate in, facilitate, or coordinate the MAID/PAS process. MAiD/PAS medication may not be self-administered on Calvary premises.

Calvary recognizes that end-of-life decisions can be difficult for the entire family. We can provide:

Meetings with the clinical team.
Social-work or psychosocial support.
Chaplaincy and spiritual care.
Assistance discussing goals, concerns, grief, and family needs.
Information about palliative and hospice services.

Patient privacy and authorization requirements will be respected when information is discussed with family members or other individuals.