Background
Vermont, with a population of 623,050 people has a suicide rate that is above the national average. Although every year more people die nationally from suicide than from homicide, the difference between the number of suicides and homicides in Vermont is far greater than throughout the nation. In Vermont, suicide deaths outnumber homicide death by more than 6-1. [CDC, National Vital Statistics Reports, Apr. 24, 2008]
According to the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services, “about 1 in 20 elders are victims of violence and abuse” and “elders and people with disabilities are, as a group, at high risk for violence, abuse and exploitation.”
Current law regarding assisted suicide
Assisted suicide is a common law crime in Vermont.
Latest attempt to permit doctor-prescribed suicide fails
On February 16, 2011, H. 274, titled “An Act Relating to Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life,” was introduced in the House. (Analysis of H. 274) On March 28, 2011, an identical bill, S.103, was introduced in the Senate.
On May 9, 2011, Vermont’s 2011 legislative session ended. Although assisted-suicide activists had predicted that an Oregon-style law would pass easily and Governor Peter Shumlin had raised expectations of proponents by campaigning on a promise of legalization, doctor-prescribed suicide did not become law in Vermont.
Because Vermont has a 2-year session, the final status of doctor-prescribed suicide in the state is still pending in 2012.
Failed attempts to transform assisted suicide into a medical treatment in Vermont
H. 274, S.103 (2011); (Analysis of H. 274)
S. 144, H. 455 (2009); Analysis of S. 144 (View as PDF)
H. 44, S. 63 (2007)
H. 168 (2005-2006)
H. 318 (2003-2004)
H. 493 (1999)
H. 109 (1997)
H. 335 (1995)
Articles
“Will Death with Dignity see debate this session?”
(WCAX — January 25, 2012)
Advocates hoping to pass a bill giving Vermonters the right to end their own lives may have to wait until 2013. State senators tell WCAX New that support for this controversial bill is dwindling.
“Senate Democrats Wrangle Over Death Wish Dignity Bill”
(VPR News — January 23, 2012)
A bill that would allow terminally ill patients to get medication to end their own lives faces an uncertain prospect in the Vermont Senate. As VPRs John Dillon reports, two key Democrats are opposed to the measure, and they say lawmakers have more important priorities.
“Family Says Mallary Followed Convictions On Death With Dignity”
(Vermont Public Radio — January 4, 2012)
The family of former House Speaker Richard Mallary says he followed his convictions on death with dignity when he took his own life last fall….Ed Paquin, executive director of Disability Rights Vermont, thinks the bill is a threat to disabled people who could find themselves under pressure to end their lives. “I don’t think it’s good public policy that doctors be allowed to prescribe lethal medication, which is then administered in an unsupervised say.”
“Digger Tidbits: Survey results mixed on ‘end-of-life’ bill”
(Vermont Digger — January 3, 2012)
Disability groups oppose “end-of-life” legislation that would enable patients with terminal illnesses to use prescription drugs to commit suicide….According to Sarah Lauderville, executive director of the Vermont Center for Independent Living, “With too many uncertainties and risk around physician-assisted suicide, VCIL stays committed to continue the fight against this becoming a public policy.”
“Letter: State can’t oversee doctor assisted suicide”
(Burlington Free Press — December 22, 2011)
A state government that is unable to investigate a known backlog of 300 reports of abuse and neglect of the elderly, the disabled, the sick — and to prevent such abuse in the first place — is demonstrably untrustworthy to safely implement doctor-prescribed death!
“Physician-Assisted Suicide or Death with Dignity”
(Montpelier Bridge — December 15, 2011 — See Article on page 12)
Based on survey results, 71 percent of those who responded said “the issue of assisted suicide should not be a legislative priority for 2012.”
From the survey, it appears that those who oppose assisted suicide oppose it with greater vehemence than those who support the idea. And the Vermont Center for Independent Living, an organization with daily experience in working with people who have disabilities and are often vulnerable, opposes assisted suicide.
“Control At End Of Life: A Complicated Matter”
(Vermont Standard — November 22, 2011)
Nancy Niedzielski has told her compelling story many times…As gut-wrenching as Niedzielski’s chronicle is, it’s insufficient to win over opponents….The plight of Oregonian Barbara Wagner, for example, illustrates a component of the vulnerability inherent in condoning physician-assisted suicide, according to some of its opponents.
“Here we go again”
(Times Argus — November 1, 2011)
Out-of-state forces are once again pressuring our governor and key legislators to take up assisted suicide legislation in the 2012 session….It would be a mistake for the legislators to waste time, energy and taxpayer funds on such a divisive issue as doctor-prescribed death. Our resources are limited, but our focus must be on getting our state on the road to recovery.
“My Turn: Social justice, doctor assisted suicide don’t mix”
(Burlington Free Press — September 6, 2011)
“However, the message was clear: Part of the motivation behind doctor prescribed death is cost control…I dread to think about how aggressively insurers might ration people into choosing doctor prescribed death. I dread to think how a state could contemplate adding to the distress of its most vulnerable citizens — those with a terminal diagnosis, by offering them doctor prescribed death, especially in these economically distressed times.”
“Physician-assisted death in Vermont in 2012?”
(Burlington Free Press — August 16, 2011)
Last week at his news conference, Gov. Peter Shumlin indicated legislation to legalize physician-assisted death would not be ready for takeoff next year. “As you know, the votes are not there in the Senate,” he said.
“Queue is back for abused, vulnerable adults in Vermont”
(Vermont Digger — August 7, 2011)
Most incidents happen at home, cloaked in the kind of secrecy that mirrors domestic abuse. The perpetrators are often a member of an elderly person’s most intimate circle — a son or daughter, a parent, a grandchild,caregiver or neighbor….Incidents of illegal abuse, neglect or financial exploitation in the state are growing at an alarming rate.
VT official seeks to follow Oregon’s lead in doctor-prescribed suicide and health care rationing
“Political pragmatism is key to Vt.’s health care reform”
(Addison County Independent — July 18, 2011)
Steven Kimbell, commissioner of the VT Dept. of Banking, Insurance, Securities and Health Care Administration, recently spoke with the Addison County Independent about upcoming changes to the state’s health care system. Discussed, among the ways to contain costs of the new program, were:
“Passing a law that allows physicians to help end a patient’s life under very controlled circumstances, known as ‘death with dignity,’ is one such measure that could help….”
and
“Another is approving some type of rationing measures, as Oregon has done, that help control health care costs.”
“Assisted suicide bill fails transparency test”
(Burlington Free Press — April 17, 2011)
What could be more momentous for a society than to permit a doctor to prescribe a way to death? To suggest that the taking of one’s own life with the assistance of a doctor is anything short of suicide is nothing short of a lie. Is Vermont ready for an act when people are uncomfortable calling it what it is?
Leading Palliative Care Expert Discusses Assisted Suicide
April 5, 2011
Dr. Diane Meier who previously favored legalization of assisted suicide now opposes it. Speaking at a public forum in Vermont, she said, “What’s also interesting is that the movement to legalize assisted suicide is overwhelmingly driven by the ‘worried well’…Legalization of physician assisted suicide in a society like ours, which is entirely driven by overwhelmed, overextended doctors chasing the dollar, is pretty scary.”
“Has the Physician Assisted Suicide bill been euthanized?”
(True North Report — March 29, 2011)
Governor Peter Shumlin promised during his campaign that Vermont would pass a so-called “Death With Dignity” law in 2011. The bill was introduced in February and assigned to the House Human Services Committee. Rep. Topper McFaun, a member of the Human Services Committee, said that the committee hasn’t yet taken up the bill. “It’s still on the wall, he said. “We haven’t talked about it coming up.”
“Death with dignity forum emotional”
( Bennington Banner – - March 4, 2011 )
The Mark Skinner Library was the site of an emotionally charged but largely civil conversation on Vermont’s Death with Dignity bill, or H. 274, introduced in the House on Feb. 17. The event was organized by Patient Choices Vermont which supports the measure. More than 100 individuals attended, most wearing round yellow stickers reading, “I oppose physician-assisted suicide.”
“‘Death with dignity’ debate likely to be emotional”
( Seattle Post-Intelligencer – - February 20, 2011 )
National groups on both sides of the debate are watching Vermont closely to see whether it will follow Oregon and Washington which enacted physician-assisted suicide laws. Rita Marker, executive director of the Ohio-based Patients Rights Council which opposes the measure, said of national supporters, “They’re trying to gain a foothold in the Northeast.” The Oregon-based Death with Dignity National Center has pledged $100,000 to support the proposal.
“Physician-assisted death bill introduced but with slim prospects this year”
( Burlington Free Press – - February 18, 2011 )
Despite backing from the governor, the bill to provide an Oregon-style assisted suicide law in Vermont appears slim this year. The bill’s opponents include the Vermont Alliance for Ethical Health Care and the Vermont Center for Independent Living. Senate leader John Campbell, D-Windsor, said he didn’t think there could be sufficient assurances that a terminally ill patient opting to end his or her life was making a sound decision without influence.
“Physician-Assisted Suicide: A Recipe for Elder Abuse and the Illusion of Personal Choice”
by Margaret Dore, Esq. (Vermont Bar Journal – Winter 2011)
Legalization of assisted suicide is a recipe for elder abuse. It devalues people with disabilities. Its promise of individual choice is an illusion. Vermont has repeatedly rejected assisted suicide. Don’t make Oregon and Washington’s mistake.
“With a New Governor in Power, Will Vermonters Finally Win Their ‘Right to Die’?”
( Seven Days – - January 12, 2011 )
Supporters of an Oregon-style assisted suicide law have reason to believe they could win passage for a similar bill in VT. “Unlike in past years, when it failed to take hold in Vermont, ‘death with dignity’ now has an important ally: the governor. Newly sworn-in Gov. Peter Shumlin pledged support for right-to-die legislation during the 2010 campaign, and, as a state senator the year before, he cosponsored S. 144,’An Act Relating to Patient Choice and Control at the End of Life.’”
“Legislature’s now open for business”
( Bennington Banner – - January 6, 2011 )
Vermont’s legislative biennium beginning this week presents myriad opportunities for Democratic policy gains as Gov-elect Peter Shumlin takes office and both chambers maintain strong Democratic majorities. Supporters of a physician-assisted suicide bill believe such a law can pass under Shumlin’s leadership. He has said he supports such a law but not all Democratic lawmakers are on board with Shumlin’s wishes.
“Report: Not Enough Pain Management Training” (WCAX-TV, 1/29/09)
“Legislature Kills Assisted Suicide Legislation” (True North Radio, 5/8/07) Defeat of Vermont assisted-suicide bill was a victory of historic proportions.
Note: Assisted-suicide advocates in Vermont claim that there are no problems with Oregon’s assisted-suicide law (on which the Vermont proposal is based) and they claim that the Oregon law’s safeguards are protective, meticulously followed, and carefully monitored. However those claims are false. For document information about this, see “Ten Years of Assisted Suicide in Oregon.”
