Overview

• The French National Assembly commission has unanimously approved a proposal establishing a legal right to palliative care and mandating the creation of specialized end-of-life care facilities.
• The legislative agenda has been split into two proposals: one focusing on palliative care and the other on assisted dying, allowing separate votes on these distinct issues.
• An amendment to the assisted dying proposal expands patient choice, allowing either self-administration or professional administration of lethal substances under strict conditions.
• Eligibility criteria for assisted dying include being over 18, residing in France, having a severe incurable condition causing unbearable suffering, and providing informed consent.
• Ethical and legal concerns persist, with critics warning about reduced oversight in euthanasia decisions and potential risks of misjudgment or abuse.