French MPs kick off the examination of the end-of-life bill, which includes the provision of “assisted dying” for certain patients in France for the first time. The reform is both highly anticipated and a source of concern. The 71 members of the National Assembly’s special commission will spend a week reviewing the approximately 1,900 amendments submitted by lawmakers from all sides to modify the government’s text before it reaches the floor. The parliamentary process is expected to last at least until the summer of 2025, depending on the number of back-and-forth discussions with the Senate.
The bill introduces the concept of “accompanying care,” allowing certain patients to request assistance from a physician in ending their lives, either by self-administering a lethal substance or by having a third party administer it if they are unable to do so. The text also includes the provision of a “personalized support plan” for patients diagnosed with a serious illness. While the development of palliative care is widely supported, incorporating the topic into this bill has raised concerns, especially among MPs opposed to assisted dying.
Some lawmakers argue that the inclusion of assisted dying in the bill creates a continuum between palliative care and euthanasia, undermining the principle of the inviolability of human life. Others believe that the focus should have been on establishing widespread access to palliative care before addressing assisted dying. The debate on this issue is expected to go beyond traditional political divides, with MPs expressing a variety of viewpoints within their parties, as the bill raises profound societal questions that touch on personal beliefs and values.
Specific aspects of the bill, such as the criteria for accessing the assisted dying provision, will be vigorously debated. Points of contention include the age requirement, with some proposing lowering the age to 13 or 15 years, while others suggest raising it to 20 years. The prognosis of the patient being “engaged in the short or medium term” is also a contentious issue, with differing opinions on whether it is too restrictive or too broad. The role of a medical professional in administering the lethal substance and the use of advance directives will also be central to the discussions.
The bill allows a doctor, nurse, or a designated “volunteer” chosen by the patient to administer the lethal substance, but there are calls from MPs across the political spectrum to prohibit third-party involvement. Some propose excluding healthcare providers from administering the substance or restricting volunteers to non-related individuals. The rapporteur of the special commission acknowledges the complexity of the issue and the need for thoughtful consideration of the various perspectives involved in the debate over assisted dying. The discussions around this bill highlight the challenges and ethical considerations surrounding end-of-life decisions and raise important questions about individual autonomy and the role of healthcare professionals in these delicate matters.
