The bill on “end of life” and “assisted death” has been sent to the State Council

The “Bill on Support for Patients and End of Life”, which establishes “assisted death” in conditions for patients suffering from a “serious and incurable condition”, has been sent to the State Council.

“To gain access to assisted death,” a person must simultaneously fulfill five conditions, according to a government text, a copy of which was obtained by AFP this Monday: “to be at least 18 years old,” “to have French citizenship or to reside in a stable and regular place.” in France”, “the ability to freely and consciously express one’s will”, “suffering from a serious and incurable disease affecting life’s prognosis in the short or medium term”, and “a present persistent or intolerable physical or psychological illness”. suffering associated with this condition.”

The bill, whose outlines Emmanuel Macron revealed a week ago, is due to be presented to the Council of Ministers in April before it arrives at the National Assembly plenary on May 27 for its first reading.

According to the language adopted by the Executive Branch, “assisted death consists of the administration of a lethal substance by the person himself or, when the person is physically unable to do so, by a doctor, nurse or volunteer.” appointed by them.

The patient asks “the doctor” for this, who examines his file, taking advice from at least another doctor, “who does not know the person, a specialist in human pathology, if he does not know himself,” and “a paramedic.” medical worker”, if possible, in contact with the patient.

Fifteen day period

But then the physician alone decides, “after fifteen days,” whether he will allow access to assisted death. The patient must then “confirm his wishes” after a “period of reflection” of at least two days.

The doctor then prescribes a “deadly substance.” The patient will be “accompanied” through this process by a doctor or nurse, even if he or she administers the drug alone. Any guardian may decline to participate in this end-of-life care.

According to the bill, only a patient who is denied “access to assistance in dying” can challenge that decision “in administrative jurisdiction.” President Macron raised the possibility of an “appeal” by family members, which was ultimately not accepted.

There is another part of the text aimed at “strengthening supportive care and patient rights.”

This new concept of “supportive care” would replace “palliative care” in the law with a broader definition: it would be “comprehensive care for an ill person to preserve his or her quality of life and well-being, and through the support of others.” their.”

The text also lays out the legal framework for the creation of “support homes”, one of the priorities of a ten-year plan to strengthen palliative care, which the executive branch is due to unveil by the end of March.