Assisted dying: advanced phase, psychological suffering... MPs debate access criteria

The text provides for five cumulative conditions, such as suffering from "a serious and incurable condition, whatever the cause, which is life-threatening, in an advanced stage" or "terminal." But the notion of "advanced stage" has been a matter of debate among MPs for several weeks, with some deeming it too vague.

The government adopted an amendment on Monday based on a definition adopted by the French National Authority for Health (HAS), characterizing the "advanced phase" as "the entry into an irreversible process marked by the worsening of the sick person's state of health which affects their quality of life."

But it was another condition that caused a stir in the chamber: in the version issued by the committee, the text stipulated that the patient must "present physical or psychological suffering" which is "either resistant to treatment or unbearable depending on the person" when they have chosen not to receive or to stop treatment.

But for several parliamentarians, this wording would suggest that "psychological suffering" alone could open the way to assisted dying.

Horizons, Liot, and LR MPs have thus had amendments adopted emphasizing that psychological suffering must be "constant" and, above all, that "psychological suffering alone cannot under any circumstances qualify for assisted dying." "In certain cases, schizophrenia could be included in the criteria," warned Philippe Juvin (LR), believing that repeated suicide attempts could be "life-threatening."

"That makes no sense," retorted rapporteur Olivier Falorni (MoDem group) sharply. "I totally refuse to create a hierarchy of suffering," he stated more broadly, opposing the rewriting of the text, like Health Minister Catherine Vautrin. "I would especially not want anyone to think [...] that we would only look at psychological pain," she insisted.

On Saturday evening, MPs had already debated the age criterion, retaining the minimum age limit of 18. On Monday morning, the condition of French nationality and "stable and regular" residence in France was discussed. Here again, MPs did not change it.

On Monday evening, they began discussions on the last criterion: "being able to express one's wishes freely and in an informed manner."

Relatively calm, the discussions occasionally became tense over the number of amendments tabled by MP Gérault Verny (Éric Ciotti's UDR group). "More than a hundred amendments" to the article, the chairman of the Social Affairs Committee, Frédéric Valletoux, criticized, calling for "avoiding obstruction," while the debates are theoretically due to end at midnight on Sunday.