I’ll be a sponsor of death with dignity bill
By Representative Rick Hube

During the 2005-06 session, the Legislature was asked to consider a highly controversial bill allowing physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to terminally ill patients who request an end to their suffering. After two years of discussion, that so-called "death with dignity" bill, modeled after an Oregon law, failed to get out of the Human Service Committee on a 5-5 tie vote and did not come up for a vote on the floor of the House.

At that time, I was uncertain what position I would take when similar legislation emerged during the 2007-08 session, as I knew it would. This issue is terribly complex, personal and emotional, as well it should be, for it weighs the sanctity of life against the principle that people have a right to make critical end of life medical decisions for themselves.

There are medical, ethical, legal, moral and theological implications, but the final decision must be made in the political arena, i.e., the Legislature. Therefore, I decided to talk with my constituents and consider your counsel to help guide my path.

A new, almost identical "patient directed dying bill" is now being drafted and will soon be introduced in the House. Based on the input I have received over the past several months, and the dictates of my own conscience, I have decided to sign on as a co-sponsor of this legislation.

This was not an easy decision. The issue has divided the medical, legal and religious communities, and there are compelling arguments on both sides. I believe the bill includes adequate safeguards against abuse. Like the previous version, it specifies clearly that patients must be "mentally competent" to make such a request and must have been given no more than six months to live.

They must be Vermont residents, over 18 and under a doctor's care. A second opinion from a qualified physician would be required, and the request would have to be witnessed. The patient is the only one who may initiate the process, and the drug would be self-administered by the patient, not by a doctor. No physician would be compelled to prescribe such a drug.

As I said, this was not an easy decision. Election to public office carries with it the responsibility to make difficult decisions and take potentially controversial positions. I am enormously grateful for your input on this issue.

And, as always, I welcome your thoughts, your suggestions and your concerns. If anyone would like a copy of the bill, please contact me and I'll see that you receive one when it is ready. In the meantime, you can read the text of the 2005-06 version online at www.leg. state.vt.us.

RICK HUBE
Londonderry