End Of Life Debate Decided By Handful Of Senators

The Vermont Senate voted Tuesday afternoon to advance legislation that allows terminally ill patients to end their lives with prescription drugs. A number of senators who were undecided on the issue made up their minds to support it over the weekend.
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Full Senate To Take Up End-of-Life Debate

The Vermont Senate Tuesday turns to end-of-life choices. As state senators debate a bill that would give patients with less than six months to live the choice to end their lives with doctor-prescribed drugs, Vermont has emerged as a key battleground in the national debate over the issue.
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Analysis: Pertussis Prompts Review Of Immunization Exemption Law

Lawmakers are reconsidering the philosophical and religious exemption to the childhood immunization law in the face of a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. They’re also set to discuss the contentious end-of-life bill next week. VPR’s Bob Kinzel talks with Peter Biello about the week in legislative news.
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The End-of-Life Rights Debate

We hear the debate over end-of-life rights after a week of hearings at the State House, VPR’s John Dillon provides analysis on wind power issues and we listen back to the voices in the week’s news.

Hearings Begin On Assisted Death Bill

Witnesses ranging from former Gov. Madeleine Kunin to Vermont’s current health commissioner, Dr. Harry Chen, are scheduled to testify to a state Senate committee about legislation that would allow physicians to help terminally ill patients end their own lives.