Death with Dignity
Recently, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of states considering death with dignity laws. Sometimes called “right to die” initiatives, these laws make it possible for terminally ill patients to use prescribed medication to end their lives peacefully rather than suffering a painful and protracted death.

In 2013, Vermont passed the Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act, a law that is very similar to Oregon’s Death With Dignity Act (DWDA). With its passage, Vermont became the third state (after Oregon and Washington) to enact a death with dignity law, and the first state to pass the law through legislation rather than by a voter-approved ballot initiative. The Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act went into effect immediately after receiving the governor’s signature on May 20, 2013.

Death With Dignity Requirements in Vermont

To request a prescription for life-ending medication in Vermont, the patient must be:
  • at least 18 years old
  • a Vermont resident
  • mentally capable of making and communicating health care decisions, and
  • diagnosed with a terminal illness that will result in death within six months.
A patient who meets the requirements above will be prescribed aid-in-dying medication only if:
  • The patient makes two verbal requests to their doctor, at least 15 days apart.
  • The patient gives a written request to the doctor, signed in front of two qualified, adult witnesses. (You can find the required Request for Medication form on the website of the Vermont Department of Health.)
  • The prescribing doctor and one other doctor confirm the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis.
  • The prescribing doctor and one other doctor determine that the patient is capable of making medical decisions.
  • The patient has a psychological examination, if either doctor feels the patient’s judgment is impaired.
  • The prescribing doctor informs the patient of any feasible alternatives to the medication, including care to relieve pain and keep the patient comfortable.
  • The prescribing doctor asks the patient to notify their next of kin of the prescription request. (The doctor cannot require the patient to notify anyone, however.)
  • The prescribing doctor offers the patient an opportunity to withdraw the request for aid-in-dying medication before granting the prescription.
To use the medication, the patient must be able to take it on their own. A doctor or other person who administers lethal medication may face criminal charges.

To read the law, see 18 Vermont Statutes Annotated § § 5281 and following.

Learn More
For more details about Vermont’s Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act, see the extensive list of Frequently Asked Questions and other Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act Resources on the website of the Vermont Department of Health.
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To find out more about the history and current status of death with dignity laws in the United States, visit the website of the Death With Dignity National Center.

Cost: $4500 all inclusive. Entire state of VT. No travel charge.
Call (802) 293-2929 or email [email protected]