Bill to legalize euthanasia and medically assisted suicide

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The bill would regulate the right of people to request medical help to end their life, and what it proposes would also apply to medically assisted suicide.
2. Anyone over 18 (or an emancipated minor) who is terminally ill or suffers unbearably could request it, in writing at least twice, 15 days apart. It would also be allowed if the person left an advance directive and can no longer decide.
3. The request would be made in writing, signed before the responsible physician and kept in the medical record, and the person could withdraw it at any time.
4. Death by euthanasia would be considered equivalent to a natural death for all purposes, including life insurance.
5. The responsible physician would have to inform the patient, verify the request is voluntary, get a second consulting physician, and report each case to the Evaluation Commission within 4 business days, or report denied requests.
6. The service would be added to the basic coverage of the National Health System, evaluation commissions would be created in each Autonomous Community, and the Penal Code would be amended so that cooperating in or causing death in these cases is not punishable. Directly involved health workers could object on grounds of conscience, but without blocking access for those who request it.

Who it affects

• People with a terminal illness or unbearable suffering: They could request euthanasia or medically assisted suicide if they meet the requirements.
• Physicians and nursing staff: They would have specific duties and could object on grounds of conscience.
• Public health services: They would have to guarantee access to the service and include it in their coverage.
• Evaluation commissions: They would check compliance with the law and keep the records of each case.

Words worth knowing

Eutanasia (euthanasia)

A physician's action to cause a rapid, painless death at the request of a person with a serious illness.

Suicidio médicamente asistido (medically assisted suicide)

The person ends their own life using means provided by a physician, who stays with them through the process.

Fase terminal (terminal phase)

An advanced, irreversible stage of an illness, with a life expectancy of weeks or months.

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 directive)

A document in which a person states in advance how they want to be cared for if they later cannot decide.

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