British lawmakers voted Friday to legalize assisted dying, approving a bill that allows terminally ill patients to end their lives.

The House of Commons passed the measure 330-275 after a lengthy debate. The bill still needs approval from the House of Lords and other stages before becoming official law. It would permit adults with less than six months to live to take life-ending medication, with approval from two doctors and a High Court judge.

If enacted, the UK would join countries like Canada, New Zealand, and Spain, as well as several U.S. states, in allowing assisted dying under strict conditions.

Debate Highlights

The vote sparked emotional debates among MPs, who were allowed to vote based on personal beliefs. Supporters say the bill offers dignity and relief to terminally ill patients. Labour MP Tristan Osborne, who voted in favor, said, “This is what I would want for myself or my loved ones.”

Critics raised concerns about potential risks and the underfunded state of Britain’s National Health Service. Labour MP Rachael Maskell argued the NHS must improve its palliative care services before such a law is introduced.

Public and Advocacy

Public support for assisted dying is strong, with advocates highlighting the suffering of terminal patients. Broadcaster Esther Rantzen, who has advanced cancer, urged MPs to act, saying current laws force patients to endure needless agony or seek help abroad.

The bill is modeled on Oregon’s law, limited to terminally ill adults, and excludes broader allowances seen in Switzerland or Canada. Assisting a suicide remains illegal in England and Wales, carrying up to 14 years in prison.

The bill now moves to the House of Lords, marking a critical step in the UK’s debate over end-of-life choices.

Is Assisted Dying Legal in the US?

On this side of the pond, medical aid in dying, more commonly known as physician-assisted suicide, is legal in several states, including New Jersey. Other states where the law exists are California, Colorado, Washington DC, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.