Summary of Act 39
Act 39, Vermont’s Patient Choice and Control at End of Life law, adopted in 2013, gives adult Vermonters who are terminally ill and who are capable of making their own decisions the option to receive medical aid in dying (MAID) to be self-administered to bring about a peaceful death if and when the patient chooses. Vermont is among the eleven states that have similar laws providing end-of-life choice, covering 22% of Americans. Based on more than eight years of experience in Vermont, legislation (S.74) has been introduced to make minor adjustments to Act 39.
Safeguard System
Fundamental to Act 39 is a comprehensive set of requirements and a carefully defined process. These procedures assure that legalized aid in dying is available only to those who are near death, competent to decide, and who have made the decision to request this assistance. The safeguard system is comprised of:
Since its passage in 2013, Act 39 has worked well and delivered peace of mind to Vermonters.
Safeguard System
Fundamental to Act 39 is a comprehensive set of requirements and a carefully defined process. These procedures assure that legalized aid in dying is available only to those who are near death, competent to decide, and who have made the decision to request this assistance. The safeguard system is comprised of:
- A strict set of five qualification requirements
- A mandatory eight-step process
- Documentation by the doctor filed with the Vermont Department of Health
Since its passage in 2013, Act 39 has worked well and delivered peace of mind to Vermonters.
- The Vermont Department of Health reported that as of June 30, 2021, 116 people qualified to receive terminal medication and about two-thirds of them are known to have used it.
- 77% of those who qualified were due to cancer; 16% were due to neurodegenerative diseases; the remainder were due to other illnesses.
- The Vermont Department of Health has received no complaints of abuse related to Act 39.
- Doctors have prescribed end-of-life medication to patients in all parts of the state.
PCV Resources
Patient Choices Vermont provides educational resources on Vermont's Act 39, end-of-life choice, and medical decision-making. Please see the following pages:
Text of Act 39: Provides the text of Vermont's Patient Choice at End of Life law.
Act 39 Overview and Explanation: Summarizes the requirements of Act 39 and where to go for forms and other information.
PCV Guides: Patient Choices Vermont provides the following guides:
Pharmacists: Important information for pharmacists.
Resources for Doctors: Includes important links and sources for information.
Book Reviews and Reading List
Text of Act 39: Provides the text of Vermont's Patient Choice at End of Life law.
Act 39 Overview and Explanation: Summarizes the requirements of Act 39 and where to go for forms and other information.
PCV Guides: Patient Choices Vermont provides the following guides:
- A Vermonter's Guide to Medical Aid in Dying and End-of-Life Decision Making: Provides a concise outline of the basic requirements of Act 39.
- How to Talk to Your Doctor: Discusses the importance of early conversations with your doctor about medical aid in dying under Act 39 and offers suggestions on how to have those conversations.
- Frequently Asked Questions: Answers questions that people often ask about Act 39.
- Glossary of Terms: Provides definitions of terms related to end-of-life choice.
- Guide to Medical Decision-Making: Suggests a decision-making process and questions to guide you in case of serious illness.
- Guide to Advance Care Planning for Dementia: Offers directives that can be included in advance directives to address the possibility of dementia.
Pharmacists: Important information for pharmacists.
Resources for Doctors: Includes important links and sources for information.
Book Reviews and Reading List
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