This bill amends current law regarding the process for qualified terminally ill patients to receive a prescription for medical aid in dying. Specifically, it waives the 15-day waiting period between the initial and second oral requests, as well as the waiting period between the initial oral request and the issuance of a prescription, if the attending physician determines, with reasonable medical certainty, that the patient is not expected to survive for 15 days. In such cases, the requirement for a second oral request may be waived, and at least 48 hours must elapse between the initial oral request and the writing of the prescription.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the attending physician document the medical basis for the determination that the patient is not expected to survive for 15 days. Other existing requirements, such as the 48-hour waiting period between the receipt of the written request and the issuance of the prescription, remain unchanged. The bill aims to provide timely access to medical aid in dying for patients facing imminent death, while ensuring that proper documentation and patient care protocols are followed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 26:16-10