Join us in Castleton, Vermont on December 3
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These are the words that a grateful supporter used to describe her husband’s death with medical aid in dying. The couple’s minister, who was also present, described it as “a quiet natural moment.” The public is cordially invited to attend a free community discussion to learn more about Vermont’s medical-aid-in-dying law, Act 39 which enables adult, state residents who are facing a terminal illness to obtain a prescription allowing them to choose their time of death.
On Monday, September 30, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Putney Community Cares, Inc., Patient Choices Vermont, and Brattleboro Area Hospice will co-sponsor Your Options, Your Autonomy, at End of Life. The discussion will take place at the Putney Meadows Common Room, 17 Carol Brown Way in Putney and will be led by Diana Barnard, M.D., Betsy Walkerman, Esq., and Susan Gillotti. Attendees are invited to engage in a life-affirming and empowering discussion - ask questions, find answers, and share stories. Dr. Diana Barnard, M.D., is a Palliative Care physician at UVM Medical Center and on the Board of Patient Choices Vermont (PCV); Betsy Walkerman is President of PCV; Susan Gillotti is an Advisory Board member with PCV whose husband used Medical Aid in Dying (Act 39). Information on medical aid in dying and Vermont’s Act 39 are available at www.PatientChoices.org. RSVP to reserve your seat by emailing info@PatientChoices.org. Putney Community Cares is dedicated to building and maintaining a vital, healthy Putney community by strengthening family and community bonds. They foster wellbeing and independence of all members of their community, from newborns to seniors; 802.387.5593; www.putneycommunitycares.org Brattleboro Area Hospice (BAH) is an independent, non-profit organization that provides non-medical support to dying and grieving community members and volunteer-staffed assistance with Advance Care Planning. BAH is 100% locally funded, provides services free of charge, and is located at 191 Canal Street in Brattleboro. 802.257.0775; www.brattleborohospice.org. We are pleased to help publicize this upcoming event hosted by The Northeast Kingdom Palliative Care Initiative.
Patient Choices Vermont (PCV) will be among the exhibitors at Age Well's Senior Day on Tuesday, August 27. We encourage you to visit with us on this special day of the annual Champlain Valley Fair, an event which typically welcomes more than 300 Vermont seniors to enjoy a luncheon (now sold out), live music, and all-day access to the fairgrounds. Adults age 50 or older will save $3 off their admission ticket with I.D. at the gate – Valid only on Senior Day. …that’s up from 13 million when Vermont’s Act 39 was passed.
Our persistent work in Vermont to make sure people have access to end-of-life choice is having an impact across the country. Nine jurisdictions have medical-aid-in dying laws providing end-of-life choice. Maine may soon become the eighth, having just voted to approve the Maine Death with Dignity Act. Twenty-four more states are considering the legislation. In their order of adoption, these seven include: Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Colorado, California, Hawaii, and New Jersey plus the District of Columbia. Perhaps you came across the May 13, 2019 opinion piece in the New York Times entitled, "Can Doctors Refuse to Treat a Patient?" which goes on to answer its rhetorical question with, "The Trump administration says they may, if treatment would violate their religious views." The Times article discusses a proposed new federal rule from the US Dept of Health and Human Services. We want to take this opportunity to confirm that… The proposed new rule will change nothing here in Vermont regarding Act 39. PCV watches for rules like this in case there is action that needs to be taken. Background: Since the 1970's numerous laws have been adopted that enable medical professionals to decline to provide specific medical services including abortion and medical aid in dying. These laws were adopted under both Republican and Democratic administrations. The new proposed rule would give stronger enforcement capability to the Office of Civil Rights of the US Dept of Health and Human Services. In other words, medical professionals who have religious or moral objections to providing certain kinds of services will have a strong ally in the US government to help them avoid any consequences from refusing to provide services that conflict with their beliefs. Act 39: Vermont’s Act 39 already makes it voluntary for physicians to prescribe medical aid in dying for patients. Therefore, the proposed new rule would have no impact. Federal Laws Relevant to Act 39:
Alarming Nevertheless: The proposed rule is focused on abortion, but it also relates to medical aid in dying and contraception. Certain definitions may be expanded to allow less coverage for women’s health by insurers and employers. The rule is alarming because it puts doctors’ beliefs ahead of patient needs with the result that patients have to be even more vigilant to make sure that they learn of all their options and are prepared to advocate for their health care needs. A good in-depth analysis is provided by Health Affairs journalist Katie Keith in "Trump Administration Prioritizes Religious and Moral Exemptions for Health Care Workers." Today we are recognizing National Healthcare Decisions Day, intended to empower and inspire people to prepare or review their advance directives. An advance directive, sometimes called a living will, is a legal document that outlines your health care preferences in the event that you become unable to make or communicate those choices. As part of the document, you choose a person, your “health care agent,” who will advocate for you during times when you so not have decision-making capacity.
We frequently receive questions about advance care planning and Act 39 (Medical Aid in Dying) in the context of dementia or severe cognitive decline. People ask us whether they can direct the use of medical aid in dying in advance, specifically in the case of dementia. The short answer is no. However there are steps you can take to help avoid prolonged life with severe dementia. We receive a variety of messages from our supporters that let us know our work has had a significant impact on their lives. Here's a recent example:
"I watched every video on the PCV website. It gave me great comfort and knowledge about what to expect as my husband and I navigated the Act 39 process." ...from a recent thank-you note. Watch: One of the most-watched videos (with over 500 views) is that of Peggy and Samantha Stevens in our Living While Leaving series, sharing their loving memories of Eric Stevens during his journey using medical aid in dying. |
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