ALBANY — Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he would support legislation enabling terminally ill people to request life-ending medication.

In his first public comments on the issue, the governor told WAMC's Alan Chartock on Tuesday that he would sign legislation if lawmakers were to pass it, and encouraged the Legislature to take up the issue.

"I say pass the bill," he said. "It's a controversial issue, it's a difficult issue, but the older we get and the better medicine gets the more we've seen people suffer for too, too long."

A bill to legalize medical aid in dying, also known as physician-assisted suicide, has kicked around the Legislature since 2016 but had been opposed by the Republican majority in the Senate. The Democratic takeover of the chamber last fall has given some hope to proponents of the law.

Sponsored by Amy Paulin in the Assembly and Diane Savino in the Senate, the New York Medical Aid in Dying Act would allow terminally ill adults with a prognosis of six months or less to request life-ending medication from their physician.

The request must be documented before two witnesses, and at least two doctors must confirm the patient is eligible for medical aid and capable of making an informed decision about their own health care. Additionally, the patient must be able to take the medication themselves.

In discussing his support, Cuomo noted that his father, former New York Gov. Mario Cuomo, started a Death in Dying commission.

"Way ahead of his time as usual," Cuomo told Chartock.

"I think it's a situation we have to address, definitely," he added.

The governor's comments elicited both positive and negative reactions Tuesday.

Compassion and Choices, a nonprofit that advocates for aid in dying, said the governor's endorsement should "turbocharge" lawmakers' efforts to pass legislation this session, and pointed to the recent passage of a bill in New Jersey to legalize the practice.

"There's no reason New Yorkers should not have the same option to peacefully end needless suffering this year that New Jerseyans will have in just a few months," said Corinne Carey, New York and New Jersey campaign director for the group.

Seven states and Washington, D.C., have laws on the books safeguarding the practice. The New Jersey bill is awaiting the governor's signature.

The Catholic Church remains opposed to the practice, saying it sends a "dangerous message" to society that suicide is OK at a time when youth suicide rates are climbing. The New York State Catholic Conference has argued that a law could also threaten seniors and individuals with disabilities, who may be pressured by family or others to end their lives once deemed a "burden."

The conference used the governor's comments as a rallying cry on its Facebook page Tuesday.

"It is more important than ever for Catholics to fight this dangerous attack on the sacredness and dignity of human life," it said, sharing a link to its advocacy page.