Letter to the Editor: Death decisions rest with individuals

Published: Thursday, March 1, 2007
As someone who has worked long and hard to strengthen end of life choices, recent comments by those individuals opposed to the current patient-directed dying bill in the Vermont Legislature is tough to witness. My request is that before you write -- do your homework!

1. Contrary to those who misunderstand the legislation, no doctor is required to comply with a request for a prescription. The patient must initiate the process, must make three requests over a period of 15 days, and must be able to self-administer the medication.

2. The proposed legislation specifically states that euthanasia is illegal. The patient must be able to take the oral medication, unaided.

3. More than 600 doctors and nurses in Vermont have told Death With Dignity Vermont that they support the proposed legislation.

4. Eight years of documented experience with essentially the same law in Oregon indicated no abuse of the law. During that time, Oregon has become a leader in the nation for palliative care improvement and hospice utilization. Passing the legislation is not an "either/or" proposition. In Oregon, in 2005, 92 percent of those who used the law were in hospice care.

Simply, decisions about death belong to the individual who is dying, this legislation is about strengthening that principle.

MARK FURNARI
South Burlington

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