Euthanasia legalized in France ? What the government law really changes

The end-of-life bill continues its legislative journey. Exactly what does this text contain?

The bill on the end of life was adopted. present this Wednesday, April 10 in the Council of Ministers. It is part of the great reform of Emmanuel Macron's second five-year term, which wants to build “a French model”. Refusing à talk about euthanasia, which refers to the act of "ending someone's life, with or even without their consent" or assisted suicide "which corresponds to the free and unconditional choice of a person to dispose of their life", Emmanuel Macron prefers the term "d' help à die". But despiteé the distinction, in fact, it's indeed an assisted suicide' which is envisaged with exceptional recourse &agrav; euthanasia in certain cases.

Explanations: a patient may request this and it will be taken into consideration after a period of two days. The decision will then be made by a doctor after a 15-day reflection procedure where he will be able to consult other caregivers before rendering his verdict alone. If the doctor is supportive, the patient will be able to benefit from help with the treatment. die within three months. Even once the prescription has been made, the patient will be free “to withdraw" at any time", had specifiedé Emmanuel Macron. In the event of an unfavorable opinion, the patient may consult another medical team or proceed to further treatment. remedies".

To date, the Claeys-Leonetti law of 2016 authorizes the recourse & deep and continuous sedation until death when the patient's vital prognosis is compromised. &agrav; short term. It consists of  à put the patient to sleep and &agrav; stop hydrating and eating. This law will continue and will be supplemented by financial aid. die. 

The new bill divides. It is considered too weak by supporters of the legalization of assisted suicide. and &agrav; the opposite is dangerous by opponents such as religious people or certain caregivers. Nevertheless, according to an Ifop-Le JDD survey unveiled; on April 1, 70% of French people are in favor of the principle of promoting active aid for die.

After this presentation to the ministers, the text will be far from having finished its journey: it will arrive on May 27 before the deputies. eacute;s and final adoption could take until now. two years in the event of differences between the Senate and the National Assembly, according to BFMTV.

Precise conditions for access to help ' die

Help & Dying can only be offered to adults, as recommended by the Commission. the Citizens' Convention on the end of life in its conclusions delivered on April 2, 2023 as well as the Committeeé National Ethics Advisory Board in September 2022. They must also be born in France or have resided for a long time. Several other conditions regarding the state of health of the patient will determine access to the patient. help ' die. Patients will therefore have to be capable of “full and complete discernment”, which will deprive people suffering from psychiatric or neurodegenerative illnesses. Nerative diseases such as Alzheimer's help die, which will allow them to clearly express their will. They must be affected by an incurable illness, have a life-threatening prognosis, &agrav; short or &agrav; medium term and present psychological and/or physical suffering impossible in the long term. relieve.  No list of diseases concerned will be set. 

How will the lethal product be administered ?

After a favorable opinion from a medical team, a lethal substance will be prescribed to the patient who will be able to administer it himself. me, a situation close to assisted suicide. If, and only if, the patient "is not physically able to proceed" assisted suicide, he can be helped of a third party whether it is the "doctor or the nurse who accompanies' or a 'voluntary person that it designates when no constraint of a technical nature prevents this", according to the draft of law. A scenario comparable to that of euthanasia carried out with the consent of the patient. The administration of the lethal product may take place at home, in a health establishment. or in an Ephad.

Strengthened palliative care ? A promised ten-year plan

The bill on the end of life includes a part on assistance for the elderly. dying, which must be the last resort, and a part on supportive and palliative care which must not be forgotten according to Emmanuel Macron. ;quot;We will put palliative care back at the heart of support even before the law is promulgated, he promised. A ten-year strategy for the development of palliative care must be presented by the end of March. While 1.6 billion euros is dedicated to In support care currently, "we are going to invest 1 billion more", declared  the head of state.

"What is important is that, from the diagnosis and the start of treatment, the pain is taken care of and the # Human support intervenes. To do this, we must continue to deploy mobile teams which help hospital services to cope. better manage pain,” said Emmanuel Macron. Palliative care must also be developed in pediatric services for children who will not be able to qualify for treatment. help ' die, regardless of their state of health : "It is essential to improve pain management for infants and children".

Strengthening palliative care must also involve establishing a "continuum with community medicine" and investment on "support' home supported on healthcare networks". For this, "support homes which are the missing link between the hospital and the home" are in project. Above all, the head of state promises to provide the unit with of palliative care to the 21 departments which still lack it.