The full details of the End Of Life Bill are now known, and MPs and peers will have time to study its contents ahead of making one of their most important decisions.
We have not had societal change like this since the Abortion Act of 1967.
Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has done some exhaustive research in preparing her bill, which is due to be published on Tuesday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
2:43
What is assisted dying?
It should go some way to allay fears around safeguarding the most vulnerable communities and to stop the “slippery slope” effect: when the bill identifies one particular cohort but is then changed – usually through legal challenges – to include more and more groups.
This is what has happened in other jurisdictions.
But the MP insists that only terminally ill patients with six months or less to live can qualify for an assisted death and that once passed, the bill cannot be changed or altered.
The application to die will only be allowed after being signed off by two independent doctors and a High Court judge.
More on Assisted Dying
Related Topics:
Leadbeater says it is the strictest safeguarding applied to assisted dying legislation anywhere in the world. That might help change the minds of some politicians who are still undecided.
However, the concerns around the further erosion in palliative care still exist.
Advertisement
Spreaker
This content is provided by Spreaker, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable Spreaker cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to Spreaker cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow Spreaker cookies for this session only.
Even the Health Secretary Wes Streeting said this is why he opposes the move.
This is a huge intervention and one that could decide the bill’s fate.
Leadbeater makes a powerful argument when she says the two: good palliative care and the option for some terminally ill patients to end their own lives, can happen simultaneously.
There is also some resistance from NHS staff who say the health service cannot cope with the extra burden. That is a valid concern that needs to be addressed.
It is a deeply complex and divisive issue, many people will have deep rooted opinions and will not be swayed by any argument in favour or against.
The rest now have an opportunity to study the detail and make up their own minds.
Scott Hartman reportedly said authorities in New York’s Southern District had filed “a lot of big cases” after a crypto market downturn but suggested it was petering out.