France moves towards legalizing medically assisted dying under Macron’s reform agenda

French President Emmanuel Macron has announced a significant step towards legalizing medically assisted dying in France, signaling a change in the country’s approach to end-of-life care. The new legislation, which Macron supports, aims to enable mentally capable adults with threatening prognoses, such as final-stage cancer, to request medically assisted dying under strict conditions. This marks a move towards more progressive end-of-life care policies in a country that has seen opposition from various religious groups.

Macron’s approach distinguishes the legislation as “help to die” rather than labeling it euthanasia or assisted suicide. The bill contains provisions to ensure that only those who are eligible can access this option, excluding minors and individuals with specific conditions like Alzheimer’s. Family members of the person requesting assisted dying will also have the right to appeal the decision.

The announcement comes in the context of France’s recent constitutional enshrinement of the right to abortion, further highlighting Macron’s agenda as a social reformer ahead of the European parliamentary elections. The decision to move forward with this legislation was influenced by a citizens’ debate that showed majority support for some form of end-of-life assistance.

Scheduled to be presented to the French legislature in April, with the first reading in May, the bill’s introduction has spurred discussions and calls for policy changes in other countries, including the UK. Campaigners there are urging for accelerated debates on similar legislation, citing a survey by Dignity in Dying that shows a majority of Britons in favor of legalizing assisted dying for terminally ill individuals. The survey also pointed to the potential for safer, more equitable end-of-life care options compared to the current system and highlighted the financial and access disparities associated with seeking assisted dying services abroad.