 |
(Image above – Disability Rights Advocate/Activist Michael Tada testifying against Senate Bill 803, which would legalize assisted suicide in Hawaii.)
From the Star Advertiser:
After citing numerous examples of loved ones who outlived a doctor’s terminal diagnosis or of their own victory over suicidal depression, opponents of a proposal to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Hawaii applauded as a Senate committee defeated the measure last night.The Senate Health Committee heard more than 4 1/2 hours of often-emotional public testimony before voting 4-0 to hold the bill in committee.“After considering the large body of testimony presented to us, I have determined that community sentiment here today has been overwhelmingly opposed to moving this measure forward in its present form,” said Sen. Josh Green, committee chairman. “There is truly compelling testimony on both sides of this matter — for and against — but from my perspective, for an issue of this magnitude, I believe we need to have more agreement as a community.“So for now we need to find other ways to support those dealing with end-of-life decisions, with the greatest possible compassion and respect.”Senate Bill 803 would have allowed a terminally ill, competent adult to receive medication to end life. The bill specifically prohibits mercy killings, lethal injections and active euthanasia, and requires patients to receive informed consent.Alternate doctors would be allowed to substitute for those who decline to participate, and the law also would have provided immunity from civil and criminal liability for acts taken in good faith.Most of the testimony in opposition came from health care providers, disabled individuals, religious organizations and senior advocate groups, who likened the proposal to state-sponsored killing and arguing that many seniors would feel a “duty to die” to ease the burden on family members charged with their care. (Emphasis added.)
The practical consequence of the Committee’s decision to put the bill on hold is that it’s extremely unlikely the assisted suicide bill will be put in front of the legislature this year. (I’m told there are ways it could be pulled off, but it’s still not likely.)
I find it interesting that the paper – which has generally supported the idea of legalized assisted suicide – described the broad-based coalition that came to testify against the bill. There is no similar description of just what groups might have been represented by the supporters of the bill who testified – I’m tempted to think that they might all have been members of Final Exit Network and/or other pro-assisted suicide membership organizations. Not exactly a rich cross-section of the public in that latter group.
At NDY, we’re thankful for all the members of the broad coalition that mobilized to oppose this bill, and especially for the disability advocates and activists who took the time and energy to mobilize during a year when some basic life-sustaining services are under budgetary assault. –Stephen Drake