Results displayed after France’s lower house approves a bill allowing lethal medication for adults with incurable illnesses. Image: Stephane de Sakutin/AFP.
(The Post News)– On May 27th, France’s lower house of parliament conducted a National Assembly to vote on the assisted dying bill, which President Emmanuel Macron had introduced as a proposal draft more than a year ago. The bill will allow adults suffering from incurable illnesses to access medically assisted dying, provided they meet strict eligibility criteria.
The aim of the bill is to reshape France’s end-of-life care policy by offering more compassionate choices for those facing unbearable suffering. The government has insisted that it is not a new freedom or right but rather an alignment between personal autonomy and respect. The vote was passed with 305 lawmakers in favour and 199 opposed, with the opposing largely being conservatives and religious groups.
With over 90% of French citizens in support, the legislation is expected to pass after going through multiple stages of parliamentary review. Under the proposed law, assisted dying is defined as allowing eligible patients to receive lethal medication, either taken on their own or administered by a doctor or nurse if they are physically unable.
Eligibility Criteria:
The proposed law sets strict criteria for access to assisted dying. Individuals must be at least 18 years old and either French citizens or residents.
A panel of healthcare professionals must confirm that the person has a terminal or advanced illness causing unbearable and untreatable suffering and that the request is made freely and voluntarily. People with severe psychiatric disorders or neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s would be excluded.
The process requires the patient to formally initiate and later reaffirm their decision after a period of reflection. If approved, a physician can prescribe life-ending medication, which may be taken at home or in a medical setting.
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