Connecticut Woman Dies in Vermont, Advocates for Expanded Access to Assisted Suicide

In a bittersweet turn of events, Lynda Bluestein, a Connecticut woman who fought for expanded access to Vermont's law allowing terminally ill individuals to receive lethal medication to end their lives, passed away in Vermont on Thursday. Bluestein, who had been battling terminal cancer, chose to end her life by taking prescribed medication, an act she deemed "comfortable and peaceful," just as she had hoped.

Her husband, Paul, shared her final moments in an email to the advocacy group Compassion & Choices, stating that her last words were, "I'm so happy I don't have to do this (suffer) anymore." Bluestein's desire for expanded access to Vermont's law prompted her and physician Diana Barnard to file a lawsuit against the state in 2022. The suit argued that the residency requirement in Vermont's patient choice and control at the end of life law violated various clauses of the U.S. Constitution, including commerce, equal protection, and privileges and immunities.

Last March, the state agreed to a settlement that allowed Bluestein, a non-Vermont resident, to utilize the law to die in Vermont. Following this landmark decision, Vermont became the first state in the country to modify its law, enabling terminally ill individuals from out of state to avail themselves of the same opportunity. However, Barnard expressed the need for access closer to home, highlighting the burdensome nature of traveling and arranging schedules to come to Vermont.

Bluestein's advocacy efforts extended beyond Vermont. As a lifelong activist, she had campaigned for similar legislation to be passed in Connecticut and New York, though her efforts were unsuccessful. Bluestein's motivation stemmed from her desire to avoid a prolonged illness and a hospital bed death, similar to her mother's experience. She yearned for a meaningful death, surrounded by loved ones, including her husband, children, grandchildren, neighbors, friends, and even her dog.

The law in Vermont, which has been in effect since 2013, allows physicians to prescribe lethal medication to individuals with an incurable illness expected to cause death within six months. Supporters of the law emphasize its stringent safeguards, requiring patients to demonstrate their capacity to make informed healthcare decisions and undergo a specific process of oral and written requests. Two or more witnesses, who are not interested parties, must affirm that the patient understood the nature of the document and was not under duress or undue influence.

While ten states currently permit medically assisted suicide, Vermont and Oregon were the only states that allowed non-residents to access this option before Vermont's law was modified. Oregon removed the residency requirement this past summer. However, opponents argue that assisted suicide lacks sufficient safeguards to protect vulnerable patients from coercion and raise moral objections to the practice.

Bluestein's death serves as a reminder of the ongoing debate surrounding assisted suicide and the complexities surrounding end-of-life decisions. Her unwavering advocacy and the subsequent changes to Vermont's law have undoubtedly impacted the conversation on this sensitive topic. As her life came to an end, Bluestein's legacy lies in the beauty and peace she found in having a say in her final moments.

If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or a suicidal crisis, please reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988. Additionally, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) HelpLine offers mental health care resources and support and can be reached at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), by texting “HelpLine” to 62640, or by emailing helpline@nami.org.