In an interview at the Ministry in Paris on April 4, 2024, Catherine Vautrin, the Minister of Labor, Health, and Solidarity, discussed the proposed law on end-of-life care that will be presented in the Council of Ministers on April 10. The significant feature of this law is the introduction of “assisted dying” as part of a set of measures aimed at ensuring access to palliative care for all patients. The government seeks to strictly regulate the use of assisted dying, with the requirement of a medical opinion before it can be carried out, alongside a commitment to ensuring access to palliative care for those who need it. President Emmanuel Macron has pledged a ten-year plan to develop palliative care, with the details of this plan and its funding being revealed by Minister Vautrin.
The success of the government’s initiative to provide relief to patients, particularly in addressing pain which often leads to requests for assisted dying, will determine the credibility of their commitment to ensuring access to palliative care for all who need it. By announcing this plan, the government hopes to counter opposition to the proposed law on assisted dying, which is set to be discussed in the National Assembly starting on May 27. Minister Vautrin emphasizes the importance of quickly implementing the development plan for palliative care to demonstrate the government’s dedication to supporting those seeking assistance in end-of-life decisions.
The development plan for palliative care aims to ensure access to these services for all patients, including children, with a focus on alleviating physical discomfort and psychological suffering. Despite France’s strong standing in public health, the country lags behind in palliative care compared to other OECD nations, with only 30% of minors and 50% of adults in need of these services having access to them. The plan emphasizes the need to increase resources and coordination among all stakeholders to ensure equitable access to palliative care across the country, drawing on recommendations from Professor Franck Chauvin’s report.
The proposed law on end-of-life care, which includes components of the development plan for palliative care, is based on two main pillars. The first pillar involves expanding the concept of palliative care to include comprehensive support services and early intervention, as well as provisions on patient rights such as visitation rights in nursing homes and hospitals. The second pillar focuses on assisted dying, with the Council of State providing detailed guidance on the process. The government will review this advice before presenting the draft law to the Council of Ministers. The proposed law represents a balanced approach to addressing end-of-life care, with a commitment to both palliative care and assisted dying.
