Opinion

Commentary: Give terminally ill right to choose medical aid in dying

As a lifelong New Yorker, I have never been jealous of our neighbors across the Hudson — until now. On Thursday, New Jersey's new medical aid-in-dying law, signed by Gov. Phil Murphy in April, took effect. New Jersey becomes the ninth jurisdiction — including another New York neighbor, Vermont — to authorize medical aid in dying.

Should a ZIP code really matter when someone is dying of a terminal illness and suffering at the end of their life?

I don't think so. Yet, that is the case since New York legislators failed this session to pass the Medical Aid in Dying Act. Apparently, it's OK in the Garden State but not in the Empire State.

That's wrong and it has to change — and change quickly.

I have been fighting for my life for the last quarter century.

In 1994, I was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, an autoimmune disease of the white blood cells for which there is no cure.

More Information Ida Schmertz lives in Manhattan.

Subsequently I developed idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which causes my immune system to attack my blood platelets, increasing the risk of internal bleeding. I also developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia, in which my immune system tries to kill its own red blood cells.

In short, all major components of my blood are under attack by my own immune system.

I am fortunate to live in New York, where we have some of the world's foremost hematologists and oncologists. I have been under the care of two incredibly smart and dedicated doctors, as well as received massive support from so many health care professionals.

Over the past 20-plus years, I have taken every medication known for treating these diseases, including numerous rounds of chemotherapy, and I've been in and out of seven hospitals in the U.S. and Europe.

My brilliant physician says I should be dead by now, but for the continuing advances in immunotherapy research: immunotherapy drugs are helping for now.

I plan to continue to be active and live my life fully, as long as I possibly can. I'm prepared to seek additional treatment options when needed, And I am a strong supporter of palliative and hospice care for pain management and end-of-life care, when the time comes.

But when CLL reappears — as it invariably will — and I run out of medical options or find the pain unbearable, I want the right to have medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option. I want the right to say I have suffered enough. I want the right to die at home, surrounded by family and loved ones, at a time of my choosing.

I have witnessed the prolonged and excruciatingly painful deaths of friends and family. I do not want that for me. And that should be my decision, but in New York, it is not an option I currently have.

I've heard the arguments of opponents. They claim that medical aid in dying will encourage people to stop seeking care to extend their lives. As someone who has spent 25 years fighting a terminal illness with every ounce of strength I could muster, I can assure you that's not the case.

Opponents argue that authorizing medical aid in dying would relieve our state of the need to improve access to palliative care and hospice. The opposite is true. Oregon, which has allowed medical aid in dying for more than two decades, has some of the best palliative and hospice care in the nation.

New York must continue to improve and expand hospice care and palliative care. That's crucial. But providing the option for medical aid in dying for those with terminal illnesses approaching the end of life is also crucial.

Congratulations, New Jersey. I only hope that the New York Legislature is watching and will act before it's too late for me.