By Dave Gram
The Associated Press
Originally published February 13, 2013
The Vermont Senate on Wednesday gave preliminary approval to an amended bill allowing doctors to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients.
But even some backers of the measure, which passed 21-9, called the amended version a travesty. And other long-time backers of what they call ‘‘death with dignity’’ or ‘‘end-of-life choices,’’ along with opponents of physician-assisted suicide, were so angry about the amendment that they voted against it.
‘‘I will be voting yes for this bill, as much as I detest it,’’ said Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison and chairwoman of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
She said she hoped much of the original language — which mirrored Oregon’s first-in-the-nation Death With Dignity Act — would be restored when the measure moves to the House.
‘‘I want to be on that conference committee,’’ Ayer said, referring to the six-member panel of lawmakers who work out the differences between the House and Senate bills after they have cleared both chambers.
The entire story is here.
