Proposal to legalize the right to euthanasia in Spain

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would recognize the right of people to request and receive medical help to die, through euthanasia or medically assisted suicide, in public and private healthcare settings, including at home.
2. It could be requested by adults (or legally emancipated minors) who are terminally ill or suffer pain they consider intolerable, in writing at least twice, 15 days apart. It could also apply if stated in an advance instructions document.
3. Death by euthanasia would be considered equivalent to a natural death for all purposes, including life insurance.
4. The responsible physician would have several duties: inform the patient, verify the request is voluntary, obtain a report from a consulting physician, and notify the Evaluation Commission within 4 business days. Denied requests would also have to be reported.
5. The service would be included in the basic portfolio of the National Health System. Healthcare staff directly involved could object on grounds of conscience, but public institutions would have to guarantee this does not block access to the right.
6. Evaluation commissions would be created in each Autonomous Community, plus a State Monitoring Commission, to oversee compliance and issue annual reports. The Penal Code would also be amended so that causing or cooperating in the death of a person who expressly, unequivocally and repeatedly requested it would not be punishable.

Who it affects

• People with terminal illnesses or suffering they consider intolerable: They could request and receive medical help to die, meeting the requirements in the bill.
• Physicians and nursing staff: They would have specific duties when handling requests, and could object on grounds of conscience.
• Public health services: They would have to guarantee access to the service and include it in their service portfolio.
• Autonomous Communities: They would have to create evaluation commissions and draft access plans within 3 months.

Words worth knowing

Eutanasia (euthanasia)

Action by a physician to cause the death, quickly and painlessly, of a person with a serious illness or suffering they consider intolerable.

Suicidio médicamente asistido (medically assisted suicide)

The person ends their own life using means provided by a physician, who attends them during the process.

Objeción de conciencia (conscientious objection)

An individual right to refuse to do something that goes against one's own moral beliefs.

Documento de instrucciones previas (advance instructions document)

A document in which a person states in advance their wishes about care and treatment for when they can no longer express them.

Cuidados paliativos (palliative care)

Health care that seeks to relieve the suffering and pain of seriously ill patients, without curing the illness.

It summarizes the text as it was introduced. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries