A new bill, AB 346, has been introduced in Nevada to legalize medical aid in dying for terminally ill patients. The bill includes strict eligibility criteria, such as being at least 18 years old, diagnosed with a terminal condition with six months or less to live, and making an informed and voluntary decision. Providers are not required to prescribe the medication but must provide information. The bill also prohibits life insurance policies from cancelling or posing additional charges due to a medication request.
The bill’s co-sponsor, Assemblymember Joe Dalia, shared a personal story about his father’s painful death, highlighting the need for more end-of-life care options. This bill is not new, as similar versions have been introduced since 2015, with the most recent one being vetoed by Governor Joe Lombardo in 2023 due to concerns about medical advancements and the lack of similar policies in other states.
Opponents of the bill, including right-to-life groups and individual physicians, argue that it lacks safeguards and goes against the Hippocratic Oath. Supporters, on the other hand, including patient advocacy groups and physician organizations, believe it provides more care options for eligible adults at the end of their lives. The bill is currently being discussed in the Assembly Select Committee on End-of-Life Care, where supporters and opponents shared their perspectives.
For more information, please contact McKenna Ross at mross@reviewjournal.com. Follow @mckenna_ross_ on X.
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