VAEH to expand efforts as Governor signs S.77

May 19, 2013

Press Memo:Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare

The Vermont Alliance for Ethical Healthcare announced today that the organization will expand their efforts to include offering help to those who are feeling coerced or pressured into requesting lethal drugs under Vermont’s new physician-assisted suicide law.

Governor Peter Shumlin is scheduled to sign S.77 on Monday, May 20, 2013. Once signed, the law is effective immediately.

“This poorly-crafted bill has even fewer safeguards than the Oregon law,” stated Edward Mahoney, President of VAEH. “We fear that vulnerable Vermonters will feel pressured or coerced into making a request for a lethal dose of medication. Several problematic Oregon cases have been well-publicized, and those interested can find more information on our web site.” (www.vaeh.org)

For the past decade, VAEH has promoted the provision of excellent health care at the end of life, including the best of hospice and palliative medicine; and the organization has consistently warned of the dangers of legalized physician-assisted suicide. With the passage and enactment of S.77 VAEH saw the need to expand their efforts.

“When patients are feeling coerced or pressured into requesting lethal drugs to end their life, they need a place to turn for help.” added Mahoney. “With our broad network of concerned health care providers throughout Vermont, VAEH will seek to address the concerns of patients and try to help alleviate the pressures that are causing them to feel they have no other choice.”

Given that the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living has a history of being unable to respond to complaints of abuse in a timely manner, as well as the fact that the Governor, Attorney General and the Commissioner of Health all strongly advocated for physician-assisted suicide despite the known risks it poses, Mahoney thinks it is important for Vermonters to have a place to turn for help. “We now have state-sanctioned suicide in Vermont. If the State won’t protect Vermonters, we will try.”

 

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Shumlin will sign “Kill Bill” on Monday

May 17, 2013

by Robert Maynard

According to this Burlington Free Press article, Governor Peter Shumlin will sign the “Kill Bill” on Monday:

As of Monday afternoon it will be legal for doctors to start considering prescribing a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients with less than six months to live who request it and can self-administer the drug.

Gov. Peter Shumlin plans to sign the bill, which the Legislature finalized this week, at 2 p.m. Monday in his Statehouse office.

For those who oppose the active participation of the medical profession in bringing about the death of a patient, it would appear that the next step is to start recruiting candidates to run for office who would repeal, or amend this bill.

 

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Mark Donka to Rep. Peter Welch: Benghazi is about more than just politics

May 16, 2013

by Mark Donka I was appalled that Vermont Congressman Peter Welch would make the following statement regarding the Americans murdered in Benghazi. “It’s politics,” said Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., a member of the Oversight panel. “If it’s a fair-minded question of what we could do better (on security), that would benefit us all. But if it’s [...]

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Rep. Peter Welch, non-profits and the IRS scandal

May 16, 2013

by Robert Maynard Questions about Vermont’s lone Representative Peter Welch’s letters to the IRS Commissioner, and to President Obama, asking for closer scrutiny of non-profits provides a opportunity to take a closer look at what the real problem is.  It looks like Representative Welch is  not the only one who raised such concerns.  A number of [...]

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Vermont taxpayers’ privacy may still be in jeopardy

May 16, 2013

by Robert Maynard A previous TNR post may have jumped the gun a little in declaring that: Vermonters have dodged a major bullet for now.  As reported here: an item buried in the Senate Tax bill (H.528) that would put individual tax returns in the hands of legislative staff. Currently,the JFO can view tax data at [...]

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Lawmakers prepare to head or home: income tax reform to wait until next year

May 14, 2013

by Robert Maynard Vermonters have dodged a major bullet for now.  As reported here: an item buried in the Senate Tax bill (H.528) that would put individual tax returns in the hands of legislative staff. Currently,the JFO can view tax data at the Tax Department but not have individual returns. A good way to drive [...]

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UPDATE: VT House Passes “Kill Bill”

May 14, 2013

from VT Right To Life Last night, the Vermont House voted 75-65 to concur with the Senate version of S.77, doctor-prescribed suicide. While we were able to change some votes, it unfortunately was not enough. The bill now heads to the Governor for his signature. The Speaker of the House delayed action on the bill [...]

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Vermont’s high energy costs make it a poor place to retire

May 12, 2013

by Robert Maynard Vermont was recently rated as one of the 10 worst states to retire in.  (We are tied with Maryland for the 7th worst spot)  One of the factors cited was the high cost of living.  The cold weather was a factor as well, but their really is not much we can do [...]

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Vermont House passes “another foolish attempt to defy the constitution”

May 10, 2013

by Robert Maynard On March 7th an article was posted on this site pointing out that the Vermont House was considering “another foolish attempt to defy the constitution:” Vermont’s legislature appears poised to throw the advice of a constitutional law scholar from Vermont Law School out the window and pass yet another constitutionally questionable campaign finance law. [...]

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“Kill Bill” Vote Coming in Vermont House

May 10, 2013

by Vermont Right To Life Call the State House today to leave a message for your Representative(s) “Please Vote NO on S.77” Call the Sergeant-at-Arms office at 802-828-2228 to leave a message for your Representative(s). You will need to give the name(s) of your Representative(s), your name, town, and phone number, and the message “Please vote [...]

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