We have confirmation from both these hospitals that they have chosen the exemption to Vermont’s assisted suicide law, but the spokesperson for Southern Vermont Medical Center added the cautionary phrase, “for now”.
We congratulate all the VT hospitals that are choosing the exemption, but our rejoicing is muted, both by that “for now” phrase that we keep hearing and by the limitations of the exemptions itself.
If we are to have this law in Vermont, the legislature at least needs to make itself clear on what it means for hospitals and doctors.