After years of debate over end-of-life care, France’s National Assembly has given final approval to a landmark assisted death bill that would allow adults suffering from incurable diseases to receive lethal medication under strict conditions.The lower house passed the measure 291-241, completing Parliament’s work on the law announced by President Emmanuel Macron more than three years ago. The bill was rejected three times by the Senate, but under France’s legislative procedure, the National Assembly has the final say when the two houses disagree.Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said he would send parts of the bill to the Constitutional Council for scrutiny before it becomes law, saying the review could take up to a month.
Strict conditions for assisted death
The bill primarily provides for medically assisted suicide, allowing patients to obtain and self-administer lethal medication under strict conditions. Only those people whose physical condition prevents them from doing so will receive assistance from a doctor or nurse.Patients must be at least 18 years of age and either a French citizen or legal resident. They must have a “severe and incurable” life-threatening disease in the “advanced or terminal stage”, accompanied by persistent physical or psychological suffering that is unbearable or resistant to treatment.Psychological suffering alone does not qualify a person for an assisted death. People suffering from severe mental disorders or neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s will not be eligible.Patients will initiate a request, it will be reviewed by health professionals within 15 days, and then confirmed after a two-day reflection period. On the date chosen, the doctor or nurse will verify that the person still wishes to proceed.France’s national health insurance system will cover all associated costs.
Supporters and opponents respond
The Association for the Right to Die with Dignity said the law would allow people “freely and with full awareness to choose to end unbearable suffering.” Opponents argue that the measure could put pressure on older people and those living with illness or disability.Polls show that a majority of French people support giving terminally ill people the option of palliative care or assisted death.
Constitutional review and next steps
Lecornu has asked the Constitutional Council to focus on three aspects: a two-day reflection period, which opponents argue is too short; The ability of patients to obtain free and informed consent under legal protection; and the role of health facilities in providing assisted dying services.The law will come into force only after the Constitutional Council’s review is completed. France will join European countries including the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland that have legalized some form of assisted dying.