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PUBLIC SQUARE is a VPT initiative addressing
issues of concern to Vermonters. Mixing documentary footage, thoughtful
insight, in-depth panel discussions and more, we’ll keep you
informed about local events and issues that affect your lives. |
Death With Dignity?
Thursday, Feb. 15, at 8 pm
 Whether it's called death with dignity or doctor-assisted suicide, the legal option for a terminally ill patient to end his or her own life is the subject of debate across the state.
This live program will include a video story on the issue and a discussion with advocates and opponents of a bill before the state legislature that would allow "a mentally competent person diagnosed with less than six months to live to request a prescription which, if taken, would hasten the dying process."
Joining host Kristin Carlson will be:
- Cal Blessing from Randolph, who was diagnosed with cancer eight years ago and told he had only a short time to live;
- Alec Hastings, a teacher from Randolph whose wife died of cancer four years ago;
- David Babbott, M.D., of Shelburne, a member of the board of Death With Dignity Vermont; and
- Joe Nasca, M.D., of St. Albans, secretary of Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare
Viewers are encouraged to call in with questions. A toll-free number will be announced during the program.
Community Resources
Compassion & Choices
1-800-247-7421
info@compassionandchoices.org |
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Compassion & Choices is a nonprofit organization working to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. As a national organization with over 60 chapters and 30,000 members, Compassion & Choices helps patients and their loved ones face the end of life with calm facts and choices of action during a difficult time. Compassion & Choices also pursues legal reform to promote pain care, advance directives and legalize physician aid in dying. |
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Death With Dignity Vermont
Contact: Dick Walters, 802-985-9473
info@deathwithdignityvermont.org |
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Death with Dignity Vermont works to guarantee legal end-of-life choices to all mentally competent Vermont adults. |
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End-of-Life Choices Vermont
1-800-247-7421
info@choicesvermont.org |
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The Vermont chapter of Compassion & Choices, End-of-Life Choices Vermont supports, educates and advocates choice in dying, believing that everyone is entitled to a full range of choice at the end of life. |
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Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare
info@vaeh.org |
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The Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare promotes the provision of excellent health care at the end of life in an ethical manner and opposes efforts to legalize physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia in Vermont. |
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Vermont Center for Independent Living
802-229-0501 (voice/tty)
1-800-639-1522
vcil@vcil.org |
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The Vermont Center for Independent Living (VCIL) works to promote the dignity, independence, and civil rights of Vermonters with disabilities. VCIL is against physician-assisted suicide and Vermont H. 44. |
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Vermont Ethics Network
802-828-2909
ven@vtethicsnetwork.org |
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The mission of the Vermont Ethics Network (VEN) is to increase understanding of ethical issues, values and choices in health and healthcare. VEN does not have a position on physician-assisted suicide, rather offers a variety of materials to help Vermonters engage in dialogue about this important ethical issue. Online resources include pros and cons, definition of terms and questions to help you evaluate how you feel. VEN also offers a variety of information about advance directives, including forms, publications and the Department of Health’s new Vermont Advance Directive Registry. |
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| Vermont Medical Society |
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The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) has been providing services to Vermont physicians for more than 200 years. Along with providing assistance, information, and lobbying services on legislative and regulatory matters, the VMS offers its members a host of personal and professional services. The VMS policy on physician-assisted suicide was adopted on December 2, 2003. |
Information on Advance Directives & Living Wills
The Vermont Ethics Network (VEN) offers information about advance directives, including an advance directive form, the Vermont Statutes relating to advance directives, worksheets and checklists to assist you in making decisions about medical care, and a map of health care systems and hospitals in Vermont.
- Taking Steps: Planning for Critical Health Care Decisions
A publication of the Vermont Ethics Network, "Taking Steps" is a booklet about making choices for your medical care in the age of modern technology. It covers your rights as a patient, common treatment in critical and end-of-life care, and advance directives.
- When You Must Make Medical Decisions for Someone Else
This publication of the Vermont Ethics Network focuses on the role and concerns of the family member, health care agency (proxy) or guardian when confronted with the responsibility of making decisions at the bedside. Resources include a listing of probate courts and several key publications that may help decision-makers understand the issues and treatments involved.
Patient Choice and Control At End of Life (Bill H.0044)
The State of Vermont Legislature website provides the text of bills, a bill tracking system and database, and contact information for representatives.
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