On May 28, 2015

Shumlin signs death with dignity bill

By Erin Mansfield, VTDigger.org

Gov. Peter Shumlin signed into law Wednesday, May 20, a bill that makes permanent a series of protections in the state’s death with dignity law, otherwise known as physician-assisted suicide.

The law passed the Legislature in 2013 and became Act 39, but the procedural requirements and additional safeguards in the bill were set to sunset in 2016 without legislative action.

Shumlin signed S.108, “an act relating to repealing the sunset on provisions pertaining to patient choice at end of life,” at a natural foods store owned by Katy Lesser, whose sister, Maggie Lake, was one of the first in Vermont who used the law to end her life, one of up to six people who have so far. Lake suffered multiple bouts of cancer over a nine-year period before requesting a lethal prescription.

“A person who was not going to recover, who had less than six months to live, who suffers greatly, had a choice in the way she died,” Lesser said of her sister. “My family is ever so grateful that we got to use Act 39.”

Lake, from Putney, was a close friend of Shumlin and his family. He read a text message from Lake’s son, Hayden Lake, thanking him for signing Act 39 in 2013 to help terminally ill Vermonters end their lives.

Patient Choices of Vermont, House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morristown, and several other lawmakers joined Lesser at the store she owns, Healthy Living, to watch the bill become law. However, the measure remains controversial among lawmakers, advocacy groups and some doctors.

The Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare issued a statement after the bill signing vowing it would fight to repeal the law, saying the legislation pressures people into choosing physician-assisted suicide when they are terminally ill.

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

Rutland sets example of how to grow local housing

November 27, 2024
By Angelo Lynn Editor’s note: Angelo Lynn is the editor and publisher of the Addison Independent, a sister publication to the Mountain Times.  An important concept in building new housing was recently articulated by Devon Neary, executive director of the Rutland Regional Planning Commission. “Housing,” he said, “doesn’t just pop up out of nowhere. I…

Progressives call out Governor Scott for refusing to call a special legislative session

November 27, 2024
Dear Editor, Like many others, I am disappointed, though not surprised, that Governor Scott will not call a special legislative session to evaluate and respond, as needed, to incoming President Donald Trump’s destructive policies. After all, Scott’s wait-and-see attitude is similar to how he engages in the legislative process: waiting until time is running out…

KSAR gives thanks to the Killington community

November 27, 2024
Dear Editor, The Killington Search and Rescue Team and the KSAR Foundation would like to thank the greater Killington community for their support during this year’s fundraising drive. Between The Blast Off Party and the town of Killington’s July 4th celebration, we raised over $6,500 for the KSAR Foundation. We also received donations from businesses…

Let’s all pardon the turkey

November 27, 2024
Dear Editor, This week, President Biden will pardon two turkeys at the White House, a symbolic gesture of mercy. Yet, over 224 million turkeys endure a far grimmer fate every year in the U.S. These gentle birds are raised in overcrowded sheds thick with toxic fumes, their beaks and toes clipped to prevent stress-related aggression.…