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The Ministry for Reforms has recently launched a public consultation on Voluntary Additional Contribution (VAE)<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Points to explore” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The points below offer prompts on what you might want to consider in your submission<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Personal experiences” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Personal<\/span> experiences<\/span> <\/span>of the end-of-life suffering of loved ones who would, or might have, chosen VAE if available<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Compassion” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Compassion<\/span> for those with no hope<\/span> – <\/span>VAE isn<\/span>\u2019<\/span>t murder<\/span>; it\u2019s <\/span>a<\/span>n option <\/span>for those <\/span>who can no longer bear <\/span>continuing to live<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Autonomy” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n People facing irreversible decline<\/span>,<\/span> intolerable physical suffering <\/span>and loss of all quality of life <\/span>should have the right to choose how and when their life ends<\/span>, on their own terms<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Conscience & Religion” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The sanctity of life, for those who uphold it and wish to live as long as possible, is not in question<\/span>.<\/span> But<\/span> <\/span>adults of sound mind should be able to <\/span>make <\/span>a<\/span> decision<\/span> based on their own values and beliefs<\/span>. A<\/span> pluralistic society must respect the moral autonomy of all<\/span>; laws must be for everyone<\/span>.<\/span> A<\/span>general prohibition on VAE binds all<\/span>, <\/span>patients and medical professionals alike<\/span>, <\/span>to one view. Legalisation, for those relatively few who need it, would enable everyone to act <\/span>a<\/span>c<\/span>cording to their own conscience. <\/span>Conscientious objection by professionals must be respected, but <\/span>mustn\u2019t<\/span> obstruct access to<\/span> lawful end-of-life options<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”The safeguards” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Clear safeguards and strict eligibility criteria<\/span> are crucial. But <\/span>s<\/span>uffering, not time, should<\/span> guide eligibility. The six-month prognosis rule is unreliable and risks excluding those in pain.<\/span> And e<\/span>ligibility <\/span>should<\/span> not exclude those with chronic but non-terminal conditions if they are experiencing enduring, intolerable suffering<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Palliative care” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Palliative care and VAE are complementary, not<\/span> competing. One does not <\/span>necessarily <\/span>undermine the other<\/span>, and t<\/span>here is no inherent reason for the introduction of VAE for the few necessarily having a negative impact on palliative care for the many.<\/span> L<\/span>egalising VAE often strengthens palliative care systems.<\/span><\/span>Palliative care will always have its limits<\/span>, <\/span>a<\/span>nd insisting on an (undefinable) improved system of palliative care before permitting VAE <\/span>is unrealistic and <\/span>overlooks the immediate needs of patients <\/span>now<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”\u2018Medical\u2019 Wills” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Living wills<\/span> <\/span>stating a patient\u2019s wishes <\/span>if<\/span> they become incapable of expressing themselves<\/span>, <\/span>should be <\/span>legally-enforceable<\/span>,<\/span> and <\/span>includ<\/span>e<\/span>, if the<\/span>patient<\/span> wish<\/span>es<\/span>,<\/span> the provision for<\/span> health proxies <\/span>to take decisions on their behalf<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_cta button_text=”Go to submission page” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#e4052c” background_enable_image=”off” link_option_url=”https:\/\/www.gov.mt\/en\/publicconsultation\/Pages\/2025\/NL-0019-2025.aspx” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ button_alignment=”center” button_bg_enable_color=”on” button_url=”https:\/\/www.gov.mt\/en\/publicconsultation\/Pages\/2025\/NL-0019-2025.aspx”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][et_pb_cta _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#FFFFFF” background_image=”https:\/\/humanistsmalta.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/transparent-background-Main_Logo_Large.png” background_size=”contain” background_position=”top_center” background_vertical_offset=”2%” custom_padding=”||0px|||” link_option_url=”https:\/\/humanistsmalta.org\/” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Would you like to make your voice hear? The Ministry for Reforms has recently launched a public consultation on Voluntary Additional Contribution (VAE)The points below offer prompts on what you might want to consider in your submissionPersonal experiences of the end-of-life suffering of loved ones who would, or might have, chosen VAE if availableCompassion for […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-17369","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"\nClick here once you’re ready!<\/h1>\n