(This is a mid-session update, with the first vote on the bill expected this afternoon)
The Senate came into session today and quickly got to work on the Assisted suicide bill.
The head of the Health and Welfare committee started by giving a report on why the H&W committee voted for the bill citing various parts of the testimony that was given before the H&W committee.
Following her, Senator Dick Sears gave a report bringing up the reservations that the Judiciary committee had with the bill, and why the Judiciary Committee voted against it.
Senator Sears put forth a question to the floor that if voted on affirmatively by the senate, would kill the bill.
A senator in support of the bill then asked if the floor was open for debate and debate began.
Several good questions have been put forth by several senators, including
“Why does the primary care provider not required to have any role in the counselling of a patient who wants Assisted Suicide? Especially when the senate went out of the way to ensure that the primary care provider was involved in the counselling and prescribing of Medical Marijuana.”
“How long does a person have to be a resident before they can avail themselves of Assisted Suicide?” The answer was there is no length of time required so long as the person provides proof of “residency”
Which according to the bill can be any of the following:
(A) a Vermont driver’s license or photo identification card;
(B) proof of Vermont voter’s registration;
(C) evidence of property ownership or a lease of residential premises in Vermont; or
(D) a Vermont personal income tax return for the most recent 2 tax year;)
The have been many unanswered questions or answers that are open to abuse, which we hope the undecided Senators are listening to. This bill has is open to grave abuse and should be killed.
Well debate continues.
You can read the original draft of the bill here