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.
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Assisted Suicide Bill Stalls
5 comments:
Hooray!
Good, another defeat for assisted suicide. I feel good about that.
Applause and a standing ovation!
I disagree. I think people should have the right to control their life and death.
I would like to be able to choose death by medicine if I were terminally ill rather than by some other dangerous means, but I wouldn't trust a judge, llawyer or doctor to make that decision for me, if it revolved around money.
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