Key facts
- France's National Assembly is expected to give final approval to an assisted-dying bill.
- The bill permits adults with incurable, life-threatening illnesses and unbearable suffering to receive lethal medication.
- Strict conditions include being at least 18, a citizen or resident, and experiencing physical suffering not solely psychological.
- The Senate previously rejected the bill, but the National Assembly's vote is decisive.
- The Constitutional Council will conduct a final review to ensure compliance with the constitution.
- Associated costs will be covered by France's national health insurance system.
France's National Assembly is poised to grant final approval to legislation that would permit adults with incurable illnesses to receive lethal medication, marking the conclusion of a multi-year debate on end-of-life care. The bill, initially proposed by President Emmanuel Macron over three years ago, allows patients to self-administer lethal medication under strict conditions, with assistance available for those physically unable to do so.
Key conditions for eligibility include being at least 18 years old, a French citizen or legal resident, and diagnosed with a serious and incurable illness in an advanced or terminal stage. Patients must be experiencing unbearable or unrelievable pain, and the request must be voluntary, with psychological suffering alone not being a qualifying factor. The Senate had previously rejected the bill, but under France's legislative process, the National Assembly holds the final decision-making power.
Following parliamentary approval, Senate President Gérard Larcher intends to refer the bill to the Constitutional Council for a review of its constitutional compliance. The law will only take effect after this review is completed. France's national health insurance system is set to cover all costs associated with the procedure. Public opinion polls indicate a growing majority of French citizens support legalizing end-of-life options, with advocacy groups like the Association for the Right to Die With Dignity supporting the measure as a means to respect individual autonomy in medical decisions.