Bill 18 may restrict MAID access in Alberta

Clinicians involved with medical assistance in dying in Alberta say the proposed Bill 18 would limit eligibility to people in the final 12 months of life, excluding many with chronic conditions and most people with dementia, and they have asked the government committee reviewing the bill to reconsider.

Clinicians who provide medical assistance in dying (MAID) across Alberta have written that they oppose the proposed Bill 18, called the Safeguards for Last Resort Termination of Life Act. They say the bill would narrow eligibility by limiting MAID to people described as being in the final 12 months of life. The authors report this would exclude many people with chronic, life-limiting illnesses and most people living with dementia. They also raise concerns about changes to referrals and coordination that they say could affect access and clinician participation. What the clinicians report: - The proposed bill would limit MAID eligibility to people in the final 12 months of life, as described in the legislation. - They say this restriction would exclude many people with chronic progressive conditions such as COPD, kidney failure, or heart failure, and would exclude most people with dementia as the condition progresses slowly. - The authors state that MAID assessments are conducted carefully and under national curriculum and provincial practice standards. - They say mandates, sanctions, and changes to care coordination could deter clinicians from participating and could worsen access for rural, remote, and marginalized populations. - The authors offered to meet with the government committee reviewing the proposed bill to discuss their concerns. Summary: The clinicians argue the proposed changes would narrow who can access MAID and could reduce available care for people with chronic conditions and dementia. The bill is currently under review by a government committee, and the authors said they are willing to meet with that committee to discuss the measures.