Patient Choices Vermont plans several meetings to promote suicide for Vermont patients. The advocates for Death with Dignity support a bill that would make it legal for healthcare personnel to assist patients in killing themselves. George Eighmey will join Board Member David Babbott, M.D. to lead discussions on (H. 274) the physician assisted suicide bill.
Patient Choices Vermont calls Eighmey “instrumental” in passing Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act. The first meeting will be Wednesday at the St. Albans Historical Museum. Additional events are scheduled in Middlebury, Manchester, and Hardwick on Thursday and Friday.
Choices
We know what pro-choice means when it comes to abortion: the loss of 56,488,348 babies since January 22, 1973 when abortion was legalized. What will pro-choice mean for suicide? Opponents and advocates of suicide alike don’t expect such high numbers for suicide, however opponents fear legalizing suicide will increase suicide rates not just for the terminally ill, but also for at-risk groups.
At risk
True Dignity Vermont states, “Suicide is never death with dignity, and assisted suicide legislation threatens true patient choices at the end of life.” The organization reports that teens, the elderly, and people with disabilities are at risk: “Elders and people with disabilities are, as a group, at high risk for violence, abuse and exploitation.” (Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services.)
Comments