Catholic Groups Sue to Block New York Aid-in-Dying Law

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks and Catholic ministries challenge the Medical Aid in Dying Act in federal court in Albany.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Catholicism

Catholic Groups Sue to Block New York Aid-in-Dying Law

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Should terminally ill adults be legally allowed to obtain medical aid in dying?

On October 29, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks, the Archdiocese of New York, and ArchCare joined four orders of nuns and other ministries in a federal lawsuit challenging New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act. A temporary restraining order currently protects the nuns and ministries from the law.

Why it matters

The lawsuit tests whether religious providers can be exempted from a law that requires terminal-care staff to inform patients about their option to end their lives. The case comes as a similar restraining order in Illinois covers most Catholic health workers in that state.

The Medical Aid in Dying Act took effect August 5 and covers terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live. The lawsuit names Letitia James, New York's attorney general, and was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York in Albany.

The players

Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks

Archbishop of the Archdiocese of New York, who is seeking a temporary restraining order for ArchCare and other Catholic providers.

Letitia James

New York state's attorney general, named as the defendant in the lawsuit challenging the Medical Aid in Dying Act.

Becket

A religious liberty law firm based in Washington that is handling the case for the Catholic plaintiffs.

The details

The lawsuit, titled Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm v. Letitia James, was amended to include the Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne, the Missionary Sisters of St. Benedict, and the Little Sisters of the Poor. Becket, a religious liberty law firm based in Washington, is handling the case for the plaintiffs.

August 5, 2026: New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act took effect.
September 12, 2026: Illinois physician-assisted suicide law took effect.
October 29, 2026: Catholic plaintiffs joined the lawsuit in federal court.

Legal Context

The challenge follows a similar temporary restraining order in Illinois, which covers most Catholic health workers in that state after its physician-assisted suicide law took effect September 12. Together these cases test how far religious providers can be exempted from aid-in-dying statutes.

Terminally ill New Yorkers with less than six months to live may encounter providers who are legally obligated to discuss aid in dying, while Catholic-run facilities may be shielded by the restraining order. Patients should ask their care team which options and counseling their provider is required to offer.

The takeaway

The outcome of this case could determine whether religious healthcare providers in New York can decline to participate in aid-in-dying counseling. Readers following end-of-life care policy should watch for the court's next ruling on the restraining order.