Law No. 2016-87 of February 2, 2016 creating new rights for the sick and later life persons: A new decisional balance?

Adopted after a tumultuous legislative process, the Act of 2 February 2016 complete the Leonetti law of April 22, 2005. Without going to legalize active help to die, this law does include some notable developments. It increases patient autonomy, including the consecration of mandatory advance directives and extends the right to refuse care. It specifies the role of the support person in the decision process and extends the scope of the collegiate procedure. Finally, it recognizes a right to care for the suffering and diversified palliative care modalities, particularly through the introduction of continuous deep sedation until death. Some aspects of the law relating to the mandatory advance directives or the process of sedation are however asked to be specified by regulation. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.