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.

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.

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.

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.

The Senate Judiciary Committee is considering a bill that would allow patients to get medication to end their lives. The so-called "death with dignity" bill has been controversial in the Statehouse, and its prospects for passage remain uncertain.

Vermont is once again facing a debate over whether terminally ill patients should have the right to end their own lives with help from a doctor.  Supporters of legislation being considered in the House call it "Death with Dignity", while opponents call it "physician-assisted suicide."

Supporters call it "Death With Dignity" and opponents call it "Physician-Assisted Suicide." For both sides, the debate over whether physicians should be able to help people die is emotional and contentious.

A New Hampshire House committee is starting work on legislation to legalize assisted suicide for the terminally ill.

A state lawmaker wants New Hampshire to become the first state to legalize assisted suicide by an act of the Legislature.

A lawmaker is proposing a bill that would make New Hampshire the third state to allow physician-assisted suicide.

A group advocating for a so-called death with dignity law is welcoming a report to the Vermont Legislature. The Vermont Legislative Council's report is based on the experience of Oregon and the Netherlands, which have differing laws that allow versions of assisted suicide or euthanasia.

Legislative leaders say it's unlikely that a bill to legalize assisted suicide will pass this year. The chairmen of both the House and Senate Health and Welfare Committees are leery of the legislation. But proponents say the issue deserves attention in the Statehouse.

The Vermont Medical Society met in a closed door session Tuesday night, to further discuss a vote among its members from a few weeks ago on the question of physician assisted suicide. Mitch Wertlieb talks with VMS President Dr. James O'Brien about the results of the meeting.

The Vermont Medical Society has taken up the controversial issue of physician assisted suicide. VPR's Mitch Wertlieb talks with Steve Larose, communications director of the Vermont Medical Society.

The Vermont Medical Society has taken up the controversial issue of physician assisted suicide, but a vote taken by its members on Wednesday produced two resolutions that appear to contradict each other. Mitch Wertlieb talks with Steve Larose, communications director for the Vermont Medical Society, about the results of the vote.

Legislation has been introduced at the Statehouse that will allow doctors to prescribe life ending medications to terminally ill patients. Supporters refer to it as "the Death with Dignity" bill, while opponents call it "physician assisted suicide."