Access to MAiD should not cater to faith-based interests
Summary
This article criticizes the B.C. Ministry of Health's plan to accommodate MAiD services at St. Paul's Hospital. The author argues that the proposed solution (which involves creating a separate space for MAiD services due to the hospital's Catholic affiliation) is unconstitutional. The article highlights concerns about patient suffering caused by forced transfers, challenges to patient-centred care, and the infringement of constitutional rights in faith-based healthcare settings. There is an emphasis on redesigning the plan to prioritize patient needs over religious considerations.
Relevance
This article comes from two prominent scholars on MAiD in Canada, acting as a call to governments across Canada, urging them to reconsider policies that allow religious hospitals to refuse MAiD services and impose forced transfers. It calls for a more comprehensive and compassionate approach to end-of-life care that respects individual rights and minimizes unnecessary suffering. This comes in conflict with Faith-based organization’s rights to Conscientious Objection.