Legislation introduced in the Vermont House seeks a law similar to Oregon's "Death with Dignity" bill that was enacted in 1998. The bill would allow for a patient with a terminal condition — who has voluntarily expressed a wish to die — to make a written request for medication that would result in death.

Rep. David Zuckerman, P-Burlington, a co-sponsor and proponent of the legislation, said the discussion was important regardless of the outcome.

"We are a very under-prepared society with death. We don't talk about end of life issues," he said.

According to the bill, Oregon has seen a total of 394 terminal patients formally request the medication; 246 have taken it. Oregon health care professionals have reported that one person makes a formal request for every ten patients that investigate their rights.

Rep. William Aswad, D-Burlington, a co-sponsor of the bill, said he supports the legislation because the public has expressed strong interest. Polls show that 65 to 78 percent of Vermonters support the legislation, he said.

"I've looked at what's going on in Oregon and I've had a study done by legislative counsel here in Montpelier. ... The general public wants the opportunity to make that decision," said Aswad. "They ought to be given that dignity."

Some groups disagree, however, including the Roman Catholic Diocese of Vermont. Michelle Moran, director of the church's Respect Life program, disputed the polls and said the church would be "actively opposing the passing of the legislation."

"I think there's a lot of people who are worried about it. They may not feel eloquent enough to speak out," said Moran. "This is not an issue that a lot of Vermonters are hoping to see pass. ... We haven't had a poll in a while and the last poll was fairly leading."

Another sponsor of the bill, Rep. Daryl Pillsbury, I-Brattleboro, said he supports it because of personal experiences with an aunt and grandmother.

"I know they say drugs they have today — they can make your life more comfortable. That wasn't the case with us, it was just the way of dying," he said.

Despite his own personal belief, Pillsbury said he will not try to change the minds of people who disagree.

"I totally respect people that disagree with my way of thinking. ... This is just something that I believe in," he said.

It is imperative to remember that the issue is about choice, said Reps. Betty Nuovo, D-Middlebury and Rep. Richard Hube, R-South Londonderry, also co-sponsors.

"This is something that people can do, not something people have to do. That's very important," said Nuovo. "This is one way in which people in a great deal of pain ... can help to control what they do."

About choice

"It's choice. I'm not even sure personally what choice I would make in that situation ... but I think people ought to be extended that opportunity," said Hube.

The legislation does provide safeguards. To qualify, a patient must be at least 18 years old and under the care of a physician for an incurable and irreversible disease. In addition, the request for medication must be signed and dated by the patient and witnessed by at least two unrelated people that can attest that the patient is acting voluntarily and has the capacity to make the decision. Patients must also undergo counseling to ensure they have the capacity to make an informed decision.

Aswad, who has twice introduced similar legislation in the past, said the bill will likely get through the House Human Services Committee this year. Committee chairpersons have refused to address the bill in the past, he said.

"I have a feeling it will at least get on the floor with discussion, and that's what I'm hoping for," said Aswad.

Committee Chairwoman Rep. Ann Pugh, D-South Burlington, said it has yet to be determined if the legislation will be heard.

"We have not at all discussed committee priorities yet. ... The way I run my committee is I involve all of the other 10 members in deciding which legislation to address," she said.

Pugh, who voted for a similar bill last session that failed to make it out of the committee, said she could not speculate on the bill's fate. The committee has four new members, two of whom are new to the Legislature this year, she said.

Rep. Patti Komline, R-Dorset, the House minority whip, said she has yet to make a personal decision about the issue. She said all House Republicans will be making up their own minds.

"It's not going to be caucus issue, it's going to be about individuals," she said.

E-mail Neal Goswami at ngoswami@benningtonbanner.com