An important component of an effort to successfully pass a Death with Dignity law is making sure all citizens understand the policy proposal; what's allowed; what's not; the common unfounded myths promoted by the opposition; and how this type of law has given tremendous comfort and peace of mind to Oregonians and Washingtonians. When people have a better understanding of the law, they're more likely to support it.

To kick off Vermont's education effort, former Oregon state legislator George Eighmey joined Patient Choices Vermont board member Dr. David Babbott in a tour of Vermont last week to help Vermonters learn more about their Death with Dignity bill set for debate in the state's House of Representatives. The events were well attended with over 200 people at four town hall-style meetings in St. Albans, Middlebury, Manchester, and Hardwick.

The day before the speakers tour began, Vermont held their annual Town Hall Meetings across the state on March 1. In Montpelier, several thousand surveys were completed, and the results are just now coming in. Vermont Public Radio reported:

One of the most emotional issues that could be considered in the second half of the session is a bill that allows a terminally ill patient to end their life with the assistance from their doctor. And the results are almost exactly the same as seven years ago. Roughly 54 percent support the bill and 32 percent oppose it.

By the time George arrived on the red-eye flight Wednesday morning he was ready to hit the ground running and stopped by Vermont's Seven Days for an interview with Andy Bromage. The interview is full of great questions and informative answers.

"Don't believe the myths. A Death with Dignity law will not result in the euthanizing of the disabled, the depressed or any other vulnerable population. It hasn't happened in Oregon. It wouldn't happen here." -George Eighmey

Only a little later in the day, George and David addressed a crowd of around 75 in St. Albans about the specifics of the law and common myths espoused by the opposition. The open forum was covered in depth by Sue Prent of the Green Mountain Daily.

George started off the next day with a morning interview on the Mark Johnson Show on which he dispelled unfounded concerns put forward by the other interviewee, Pat Mahoney, and some of the callers. Here's what George had to say about how the Oregon law works with, not against, the Hippocratic Oath:

In working with the over 1,100 physicians in the state of Oregon who have participated in this law, their response—and I've asked them in many occasions, why they're doing it—they believe the Hippocratic Oath says to them, "do no harm." And it is harmful if they do not assist their dying patients with their wishes and give them this option. Remember, this is an option, an option that does not have to be exercised and is, in fact, exercised very seldom but which gives great comfort to thousands and thousands of dying Oregonians, Washingtonians now as well, because the physician said, "I am not here to make the decision for you. I am here only to respond to your request."

George and David then held a public meeting in Middlebury and later in the day they were joined by another Patient Choices board member, Dr. Diana Barnard, for an emotional debate in Manchester.

With this great head start that George helped provide, the education efforts continue throughout Vermont. Earlier in the week, Dr. Barnard was interviewed on Vermont Public Radio, and the listeners' discussion continues through the comments on the episode's web page.

These education efforts are made possible by many generous individual donors. If you'd like to help Vermonters learn more about their proposed Death with Dignity bill, please consider making a non tax-deductible, political donation to the Death with Dignity Political Action Fund today! 100% of your contribution will go directly to the Vermont effort.