Backers say data show assisted death good policy

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Backers of legislation that would allow Vermont doctors to help terminally ill patients end their own lives say experience in other states shows the policy to be a good one.

Oregon and Washington have laws on the books allowing what backers call death with dignity and opponents call physician-assisted suicide.

Michael Sirotkin, representing the group Patient Choices Vermont, says the track record of those laws shows they can work well, and that critics' fears are unjustified.

Among the groups opposing the legislation is the Vermont Medical Society, which wants to limit the government's involvement in care of the terminally ill.

A public hearing on the legislation is set for 5-7 p.m. Tuesday in the House chamber of the Vermont Statehouse.