France approves assisted dying law for terminally ill adults after years of debate
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France approves assisted dying law for terminally ill adults after years of debate
France's National Assembly to vote on assisted dying bill for terminally ill patients
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French lawmakers on Wednesday gave final approval to legislation permitting adults suffering from a serious and incurable, life-threatening condition to seek assisted dying.
The National Assembly approved the bill in a 291-241 vote, with 29 abstentions, following years of debate and consideration. When implemented, France would become the 14th nation worldwide and the ninth in Europe to permit some form of assisted dying, according to a European Parliament Research Service report.
President Emmanuel Macron, who vowed in 2022 to open a path to assisted dying, welcomed the lawmakers' approval of the bill. "With solemnity, humility and full respect for our democracy, that pledge has been fulfilled," Macron said in a social media statement. "My thoughts are also with everyone who appealed to me personally and share their stories, doubts, convictions and hopes. Their testimony profoundly shaped this legislation."
The bill stipulates that those seeking access to assisted dying must be at least 18 years old and either a French national, permanent resident, or a person who regularly resides in France. They must have a serious and incurable, life-threatening condition in an advanced, irreversible phase that affects their quality of life or be in the terminal phase. Psychological suffering alone does not qualify a patient for assisted dying. The patient must also be able to express their wishes "in a free and informed way."
According to the bill, after the patient makes their request to a practicing doctor, the doctor must explain the patient's condition, available treatments, support and palliative-care options, the assisted-dying procedure, and that the patient's right to withdraw at any time. The doctor would then convene a multidisciplinary panel and, after considering its advice, decide within 15 days whether to approve the request. If approved, the patient must wait at least two days before confirming the decision and selecting a date. On that date, a doctor or nurse would confirm that the patient still wishes to proceed and is not being coerced before preparing the lethal substance and supervising its administration to the patient. The patient may withdraw at any time, including on the day the procedure is scheduled.
The bill was previously rejected three times by the Senate, but the National Assembly had the final say. The passage of the bill marks the culmination of years of debate over end-of-life care in France.
"This has been the longest debate since the 1980s," said Yaël Braun-Pivet, the president of the National Assembly.
The National Assembly approved the measure after backing it in three previous readings. Macron announced the legislation more than three years ago, fulfilling a commitment he made in 2022.
"In 2022, I committed to opening this path with the French people," Macron said in a message posted on X. "With seriousness, with humility, and with full respect for our democracy, that commitment has been fulfilled."
The law allows patients to receive and self-administer lethal medication under strict conditions. It also permits doctors or nurses to administer the lethal substance if the patient is physically unable to do so themselves. Healthcare workers who do not wish to participate in the procedure can refuse on grounds of conscience.
The legislation has been described as one of the most significant social reforms in France since the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2012. However, the bill's journey is not yet complete. Opponents have indicated they will call for a review to determine if the law complies with the French Constitution.
The law is expected to come into effect in early 2027, according to some reports. France joins a growing list of countries that allow some form of assisted dying, including the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, and Canada.
The debate over assisted dying has been ongoing in France for several years, with the issue gaining prominence as the country's population ages and more people require care for chronic illnesses. The legislation aims to provide a legal framework for individuals who wish to end their lives due to unbearable suffering from incurable conditions.
The bill was supported by Macron's party and the left, while the right mostly opposed it. However, lawmakers on both sides were given the freedom to vote according to their consciences, reflecting the sensitive nature of the issue.
The final vote on Wednesday was the culmination of a long and often emotional debate in the National Assembly. The bill had been modified several times to address concerns from various quarters, including medical professionals and religious groups.
The passage of the bill has been welcomed by advocates for the right to die with dignity, who have long campaigned for such legislation. However, opponents, including some religious groups and medical professionals, have expressed concerns about the ethical implications of the law.
The Constitutional Council will now review the legislation to ensure it complies with the French Constitution. If approved, the law will come into effect, allowing eligible patients to seek assisted dying under the specified conditions.
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