Hawaii lawmakers approved on Thursday legislation that would have made it past the liberal state to legalize medically assisted suicide.
All-democratic state Senate voted 23-2 to pass the measure, which already cleared the house. It allows physicians to comply with the requests of terminally ill patients for drugs that will allow them to die.
The Governor said that he will sign a bill that would make Hawaii the sixth state to legalize the practice, plus Washington, D.C.
The legislation includes security measures aimed at preventing abuses, but opponents say it puts the poor, the elderly, the sick and disabled at risk. Lawmakers heard hours of impassioned testimony from supporters and opponents.
John Radcliffe, who was sentenced to six months to two years after being diagnosed with cancer in 2014, earlier testified in favor of the measure and said Thursday that he was glad that it passed.
“I’m just glad Hawaii finally showed a little mercy with justice,” he said.
Radcliffe, who was diagnosed with colon cancer which has metastasized and spread to his liver, not to participate in the vote, but said the legislation could help those who are struggling with pain, poor quality of life and stress.
“For some people, it will be a great relief to know that in the end, they and their doctor can ascertain a medicine that will put you to sleep, and your family might be there. All well and Aloha,” he said.
Senator Breene Harimoto spoke Thursday about his struggle with pancreatic cancer, he says he cannot vote to create an “atmosphere of hopelessness” that will allow doctors to help the cause of death.
“My faith in God, prayer and a sense of hope I get through this,” said the Democrat. “Because of this personal experience, I feel so strongly that we must always have hope and never give up.”
Senator Russell Ruderman said that this was about freedom.
“If You don’t believe it, don’t do this. But there is no reason to deny others the freedom to live and die as we choose,” he said.
Only a doctor chamber, Senator Josh green, who works in the er, voted for the bill, but he said he would like lawmakers will take more time for discussion.
Hawaii Family forum said in written testimony that the legislation may create a subtle pressure on the elderly to end their lives early, so they are not a burden to their families.
Among the safeguards is the requirement that two medical confirm the patient’s diagnosis, prognosis, ability to make decisions and that they voluntarily made the request. The consultant also should determine that the patient may not seem to suffer from a lack of treatment of depression.
The patient must make two oral requests for life-ending medication, with the 20-day waiting period between each. They must also sign a written petition in the presence of two persons, one of whom cannot be a relative.
This measure creates criminal penalties for those who violate the order or is forced to request the recipe.
Administrative Director, Gov. David IgE, Ford Fuchigami, said that the guarantee is sufficient to minimize abuse. He said in written testimony that the legislation would allow terminally ill people to decide when and how their life should end.
Physician-assisted death is legal in California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington and the district of Columbia. Last year, the Senate of Hawaii has approved similar legislation, but the state house voted against it.
Montana has no right to authorize or prohibit this practice, but the Supreme court ruled in 2009 that doctors could use a patient’s request for life-ending Medication as a defense against the charges.
Some believe that the provision of choice as a logical development in the system of medical care that is advanced, helping people to live longer, but limited to prevent a slow, agonizing death.
Critics say they are concerned that option will lead to hasty decisions, incorrect diagnosis, and the waning support of palliative care in which a dying person may be sedated to relieve suffering.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
