Two stories were in the Vermont news this week that highlight a very real conflict of interest over suicide in this State. Vermont Public Radio aired an interview with JoEllen Tarallo-Falk, Director of the Vermont Suicide Prevention Center (VTSPC), on suicide prevention: http://digital.vpr.net/post/more-funding-needed-suicide-prevention-advocates-say Meanwhile, several … [Read more...] about Vermont’s Suicide Conflict of Interest
Vermont Legislature
Why Some People’s “Peace of Mind” Does Not Justify Legal Assisted Suicide
Assisted suicide should never be legal because some families are like this one: http://medicalfutility.blogspot.com/2015/01/bad-healthcare-surrogates-kill-patient.html. Though this is not an assisted suicide case, but one of withdrawal of life support and possible killing under the guise of "comfort care", we don't have to imagine how a similar scenario would play out with … [Read more...] about Why Some People’s “Peace of Mind” Does Not Justify Legal Assisted Suicide
Very Very Good News in the Vermont Elections
Endorsements and donations from Patient Choices, the VT pro-assisted suicide group backed up by the nationwide group Compassion and Choices, do not seem to have paid off in the 2014 VT elections. The most spectacular defeat for a Patient Choices-endorsed legislator was that of Linda Waite-Simpson, about whom we have written several times. Waite-Simpson was instrumental in … [Read more...] about Very Very Good News in the Vermont Elections
How Legislators Voted on Act 39, Which Made Assisted Suicide Legal in Vermont
True Dignity Vermont cannot endorse candidates in next week's elections, which will determine, at least in the short term, whether assisted suicide stays legal in Vermont or is repealed as we hope. We can, however, provide information, for your discernment. Here are the names and party affiliations of those who voted for and against assisted suicide (or who stayed away) when … [Read more...] about How Legislators Voted on Act 39, Which Made Assisted Suicide Legal in Vermont
Patient Choices Vermont 2014 Candidate Endorsements
Election Day is upon us, and it should be obvious that the fate of assisted suicide in Vermont is entirely dependent on the choices we make that day. While True Dignity does not endorse candidates, we are providing, for your information and discernment, the list of legislators endorsed by Patient Choices, the organization that successfully lobbied for assisted suicide in … [Read more...] about Patient Choices Vermont 2014 Candidate Endorsements