Quebec has adopted a new law that expands access to medical aid in dying and allows early requests for the procedure.
The law adopted Wednesday permits people with a serious and incurable disease, such as Alzheimer’s, to apply for a doctor-assisted death before their condition deteriorates and prevents them from consenting to one.
Bill 11 also grants access to the procedure to people with a severe physical impairment resulting in a significant and persistent disability.
A previous version of the bill had allowed people with “neuromotor” diseases to apply for medical aid in dying, but the government removed that language from the legislation.
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Medical experts had testified before the legislature that the word neuromotor — pertaining to diseases affecting muscles and the nervous system — was too broad.
The new law also allows Quebecers to receive a doctor-assisted death in places other than hospitals, such as funeral homes and long-term care facilities.
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