Medically Assisted Deaths
Legalizing Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) is the most significant change in health care. MAID is an End-of-life policy in Canada and legalizing it was a challenge. Under the criminal court, the federal MAID law is legal if the eligibility criteria and procedural safeguards are met. For an individual to be eligible for legislation, the law requires that the person is at the end of life. The act has set rules regarding who can administer the assistance. Additionally, it has set rules for punishment for the failure to comply with the regulations and safeguards. Meeting the eligibility criteria means the patient can get medical help in dying. Medically assisted death also known as suicide means prescribing a substance to an individual by a medical practitioner so that it may cause their death (Dalhousie’s Health Law Institute, N/D). It can be referred to as euthanasia whereby a medical practitioner administers a substance that causes death to a person at their request. However, the law protects the person providing medical assistance from being guilty of the offense.
Doctor-assisted deaths should be meant to relieve suffering and hasten death. Although assisted suicide and euthanasia are legal and tolerated by the court, people have different views on the policy. To the majority, the act is acceptable while others are attempting to change the code. Some people may find it necessary to alter the course of life to help patients put to an end to life unbearable suffering. On the other hand, some individuals do not accept the bill due to their faith-based beliefs. The current issues of MAID comprise a discussion of its challenges and issues. Some individuals are advocating for stricter limits while others are advocating for its expansion and availability even in faith-based institutions. Some argue that some specific terms in the law are putting the Canadians at risk in various ways since eligibility may narrowly or broadly be determined. Others argue that there is a need for greater oversight since the number of deaths has risen. Further to the debate, the report, there is a possibility of expansion of MAID to embrace requests, advance requests, by mature minors and other requests where underlying medical attention involve mental disorders. Along with the court challenges, the Canadians have introduced legislation which addresses concerns of protecting the right of medical doctors.
The issue of doctor-assisted deaths is long debated in Canada. In my perspective, I find the law necessary since unbearable life suffering can be put to an end. the council of. The bill should be expanded to improve legal access to human rights on a fairness basis in accessing MAID. Expanding the law will also allow patients suffering from chronic pain and psychiatric conditions to request for MAID. The federal law is significant and according to me, the bill is not enough since some people are unable to access the policy provider where some interpret the law differently. Faith-based institutions should also be encouraged to accept the law and allow it to be done in their institutions.
References
Dalhousie’s Health Law Institute. (N/D, N/D N/D). Assisted Dying. Retrieved from End-of-Life Law $ Policy in Canada: http://eol.law.dal.ca/?page_id=236