Vermont became the second state in the nation Tuesday to allow terminally ill people from other states to travel there to die by suicide while under medical care.
The medically assisted suicide law that’s been around for decades in the state dropped its residency requirement after Republican Gov. Phil Scott signed the bill Tuesday.
The change was hailed by supporters of the law though critics warned it could lead Vermont to become a “death tourism” spot.
Kim Callinan, president and CEO of Compassion & Choices, said in a statement that the non-profit was grateful Vermont lawmakers realized that “a state border shouldn’t determine if you die peacefully or in agony.”
“Patients routinely travel to other states to utilize the best healthcare options,” she added. “There is no rational reason they shouldn’t be able to travel to another state to access medical aid in dying if the state they live in doesn’t offer it.”
Opponents of the suicide law slammed it.
“To be clear, Vermont Right to Life opposed the underlying concept behind assisted suicide and opposes the move to remove the residency requirement as there are still no safeguards that protect vulnerable patients from coercion,” said Mary Hahn Beerworth, the executive director of the Vermont Right to Life Committee.
Vermont made history Tuesday when it changed its assisted suicide law. AP
University of Massachusetts law professor Dwight Duncan told National Catholic Register in February dropping the residency rule could make Vermont a destination for death.
“And it opens up this idea of ‘death tourism’ — that you travel there as a place to be killed,” the law’s critic said. “It’s one thing to travel to Vermont because they have great ski slopes. It’s another thing to travel there because they have great undertakers.”
Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed the bill Tuesday dropping the residency requirement for the medically assisted suicide law that’s been around for decades. Phil Scott / Facebook
While Vermont is the first state to actually change the law to allow non-residents to end their life, Oregon previously agreed to stop enforcing the residency requirement that allowed terminally ill people to receive lethal medication as part of a court settlement. It also agreed to ask lawmakers to scrap it from the law.
Vermont is one of ten states to allow medically assisted suicide.
Before the bill’s passage, the state had reached a settlement with a Connecticut woman who has terminal cancer that allowed her to take advantage of the law.
Lynda Shannon Bluestein smiles during an interview in the living room of her home, Feb. 28, 2023, in Bridgeport, Conn AP
The woman, Lynda Bluestein, of Connecticut, and her doctor sued Vermont last summer, claiming the residency mandate violated the law.
She said Tuesday the change allows scores of other terminally ill people to die by suicide if they choose that path.
“I’m thinking even more importantly that this is going to cause other states, the other jurisdictions that have medical aid in dying, to look at their residency requirement, too,” Bluestein said.
With Post wires
Vermont becomes 2nd state to allow non-residents to use assisted suicide law
- Advertisment - 
Recent Comments
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports announces Matt Ryan will join NFL studio show. Longtime analysts Simms and Esiason depart
on Carlos Sainz’s Soccer Fanboy Emerges as Spaniard Shares Defining Moment With This Real Madrid Legend
on Biden: ‘At this point I’m not’ planning to visit East Palestine, Ohio, after toxic train derailment
on ‘Best Intention’: Chris Kirk Has Absolute Trust in Jay Monahan and PGA Tour’s Widely Debated Model
on Ahead of big sports weekend, dispute with Disney leaves millions of cable subscribers in the dark
on A heavy wave of Russian missile attacks pounds areas across Ukraine, killing at least 4 civilians
on 2024 Super Bowl: CBS Sports Network and CBS Sports HQ to combine for 115 hours of weeklong coverage
on 2023 NFL All-Rookie Team: CBS Sports draft expert, former GM unveil league’s best first-year players
on Army vs. Coastal Carolina live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on AL Rookie of the Year Julio Rodriguez Spreads Joy and Sportsmanship to the Youth of Loma de Cabrera
on After UFC Fallout, Conor McGregor Offers a Valuable Piece of Advice to Free Agent Francis Ngannou
on Dubai International Airport sees 41.6 million passengers in first half of year, more than in 2019
on Devout athletes find strength in their faith. But practicing it and elite sports can pose hurdles
on Despite strong Lunar New Year holiday data, consumer spending in China isn’t roaring back just yet
on Dave Portnoy: Taylor Swift’s security should ‘drag Kim Kardashian to jail’ if she attends Eras Tour
on CONCEPT ART: New Details Revealed for Disney Cruise Line Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Destination
on “Completely Knocked Me Out”: Rob Lowe Recalls Boxing Match With Tom Cruise On 1983 Brat Pack Classic
on CBS Sports, Serie A announce new TV rights deal; Paramount+ to air over 400 Italian soccer matches
on Cam Newton’s Violent Public Incident Draws Hilarious Reaction From 3x All-Star: “Where Do I Sign Up
on Boston College vs. Army live stream, how to watch online, CBS Sports Network channel finder, odds
on Angel Reese Launches Foundation Dedicated To Empowering Women Through Sports & Financial Literacy
on A weaker dollar, skyrocketing prices and ‘record’ visitor numbers: Good luck in Europe this summer