it already provides that nobody is compelled to participate in a patient's decision to end their life. The lawsuit is about the religious orders' desire to counsel patients not to participate, not about being compelled to do so.

There are a number of supposed safeguards built into the law -- for example, two separate physicians must confirm the terminal diagnosis, the prognosis, and the patient's voluntary decision-making, plus there must be a mental health evaluation -- but to me it's just not a good idea to open that door.

But, it is clear that the nuns would not have been compelled by the State of New York to participate.