BELLOWS FALLS — Vermont “end of life” bill has passed the Senate with heavy amendments, and will go on to the House of Representatives. I will be reading it closely when the full text is available.
I do think the bill should be renamed “an act to decriminalize end-of-life suicide for terminally ill patients.” At least now, suicide is legal, and doctors and family won't be criminals for witnessing it.
On the other hand, this is not really advocating patient choice, so much as decriminalization of a previously criminal act of “allowing” terminally ill people to die of suicide.
Several potential problems with the wording might render the bill more harmful than good, inspiring this valid question from Sen. Sally Fox, D-Chittenden: “Does immunity from liability include gross negligence?”
The bill as introduced would have put in place many protections for patients which the current bill lacks due to the extensive and hastily created amendments designed by and created to win the conservative half of the vote.