Alberta seeks to set limits on use of medically assisted dying

Legislation to restrict medical assistance in dying (MAID)

The Alberta government has proposed legislation to limit the use of medically assisted dying (MAID) to cases where a patient’s death is reasonably foreseeable, typically within one year. This measure aims to ensure that MAID is only accessible in end-of-life circumstances.

Key restrictions under the proposed law

• Patients with incurable conditions may not be eligible unless their death is reasonably foreseeable.
• Doctors are prohibited from unilaterally raising the threshold for MAID requests.
• Public advertising of MAID services is banned in healthcare facilities.

Public consultation and government engagement

The government is currently seeking public input on the proposed MAID policies through an online survey, which will remain open until December 2024.

Context within Canadian law

Under the federal Criminal Code, eligible adults in Canada can request medical assistance in dying, but provincial regulations may impose additional restrictions. Alberta’s proposed law aligns with broader efforts to strengthen oversight and safeguards around assisted dying.

來源：https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c8d5d54glreo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss