2020 Insights and Annual Fundraising

Act 39 Tune-ups - Step Up to the Challenge

​“In person.” “Face to face.” “Physical presence.” Meeting these sorts of requirements was once accepted as routine, but no longer in the Covid era. Fortunately, in healthcare, Covid-19 has accelerated adoption of telemedicine.

No such option currently exists for those seeking medical aid in dying in Vermont.

Vermont’s Medical Aid in Dying law (Act 39) requires both of the patient’s two oral requests to receive aid in dying to be in the physical presence of their doctor. As a result, many patients have found that the Act 39 process has become long and at times tragically arduous in the Covid-19 era.
 
The process need not be so difficult. Many meetings between patients and doctors during the Act 39 process are conversations, not examinations – the sort of provider-patient consultation that is well-suited to the strengths and efficiencies of telemedicine. For example, in states such as California, aid-in-dying consultations can be by telemedicine, providing great relief, especially to dying patients who are in pain or have difficulty moving.

We’re on it. The PCV board is now exploring corrections and tune-ups for Act 39.

Improvements can be achieved only by amending Act 39. In the process, we look forward to educating a new generation of state legislators and further solidifying Act 39 in the fabric of how Vermonters approach end-of-life care and decision-making. Updating Act 39 will require careful consideration, grass-roots support, and funding well above the budget level PCV has raised in the past few years.

Please help support this work. PCV is totally financed by people like you.

As one organization that donated to PCV explained:
"You have helped re-shape how Vermonters understand end-of-life options and built their respect for individual personal end-of-life decisions. Thank you for the important impact you have had in educating all Vermonters."

PCV is the only Vermont organization focused on medical aid in dying. 

We provide the only aid-in-dying hotline to both doctors and patients in Vermont. The PCV website PatientChoices.org provides the most comprehensive set of resources on medical aid in dying in Vermont

​​Our educational programs, while currently somewhat curtailed, are vital. In January, the PCV program at the Dana Medical Library at UVM and the Grand Rounds conducted at the UVM Medical Center together drew more than 300 doctors and other medical professionals, with standing room only. Clearly more patients are asking about aid in dying, and more doctors are turning to PCV to help learn how to handle these conversations.

Your role remains very important. Every time you share your story, or simply inform a friend or candidate about your thoughts on end-of-life choice, you help bring deeper recognition to this important civil right. Please help us make sure that all Vermonters have access to the choices they may want to make. You may be surprised at how heart-warming our videos are. These are a great way to introduce friends to end-of-life conversations.

 The PCV 2020 Voter Guide (479 kb PDF) is now available online. 

We purposely avoided fund-raising last spring, understanding that our supporters were providing assistance to those in critical need. However, people with terminal illnesses continue to need our help. 

Please consider what End-of-Life Choice means to you. 

Legislative initiatives are far more expensive than the largely volunteer educational work PCV has funded in the past few years. 

Your Support is Vital | Click to Donate

Please donate online at PatientChoices.org/donate. You can also provide your support via stock donations or gifts in honor of anyone for whom end-of-life choice has been important. 

If you prefer, you may also send a check by mail to:

Patient Choices Vermont
P.O. Box 671
Shelburne, VT 05482


Your donation helps ensure that Vermonters have access to aid in dying. PCV is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your contributions are tax-deductible. Please consider a donation of $30, $60 or, if you are able, $175, $500, or $1,000.

Many thanks for all donations, small and large, and all your messages of gratitude and encouragement. End of life is a deeply sensitive and personal time, one in which we all wish for peace, freedom, and connection. Considering aid in dying makes our last conversations open, intentional, and meaningful.