Assisted Suicide Loses in Hawaii

by Wesley J Smith, National Review, March 24, 2017

Mass legalization of assisted suicide is not inevitable.

Now, after losing recently in New Mexico, add Hawaii to the “not inevitable” list. From the HawaiiNewsNow.com story:

A lack of specifics in the current draft of the controversial ‘Death with Dignity’ bill is partially the reason some lawmakers decided to table the issue.

Lawmakers table controversial ‘death with dignity’ bill following intense debate House Health Committee chair Della Au Bellati told a packed hearing the seven-member committee was killing the Medical Aid in Dying bill because it lacked specifics and didn’t do enough to balance the right to choose death with the need to protect vulnerable people.

“We’re concerned about safeguards, the record-keeping, the physician training to be able to do this prescribing for aid in dying,” Bellati said.

Faithful readers might recall I warned here at The Corner that the then draft Hawaii measure would be substantially lacking in safeguards, because, well assisted suicide boosters only promote safeguards to mask their more radical agenda of moving toward a broad assisted suicide/euthanasia license, as seen in Canada and overseas.

But sometimes, as the trite saying goes, in their zeal, they get over their skis. That appears to have been the case in Hawaii.

Repeat after me: “NOT inevitable!” Onward.

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Hawaii Defeats Dangerous Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide

by Alex Schadenberg, Life News, March 24, 2017

…Hawaii assisted suicide SB 1129 was defeated by being sent back for amendments. Hawaii political leaders listened and understood that the assisted suicide bill was different than what the assisted suicide lobby was saying.

The paternalism of the assisted suicide lobby astounds me. They assume that legislators will not read the language of the bill but vote based on sound bites alone. Hawaii legislators read the bill.

Hawaii News Now stated:

On Thursday, lawmakers said the bill is poorly written and would need considerable changes.

The House Health Committee deferred the bill, essentially killing it.

Margaret Dore, successfully uncovered the truth. Dore wrote in her analysis that SB 1129 SD 2 – “Choice” is a Big Fat Fib, Dore’s assessment was correct and the committee agreed.

Dore’s analysis of SB 1129 correctly stated:

• The act is sold as providing a voluntary patient choice, but doesn’t even have a requirement of being voluntary, capable or consenting when the lethal dose is administered.
• People who ask about the act will lose their right to informed consent: They will lose the right to be told about alternatives for cure.
• The claim that self-administration is required is not true. The act says that a patient “may” self-administer the lethal dose. There is no language that administration “must” be by self-administration.
• Administration of the lethal dose is allowed to occur in private without a doctor or witness present. If the patient objected or even struggled, who would know?
• The death certificate is required to list a terminal disease as the cause of death. The significance is that prosecution will not be possible, no matter what the facts. The death will be a terminal disease (not murder) as a matter of law.
• Enactment will create the perfect crime to put older people in the crosshairs of their heirs and other predators.
• Elder abuse is already not a well-controlled problem. Passing the proposed act will make the situation worse.

For analysis and back up documentation, click here.
For a pdf version of this document, click here.

LifeNews.com Note: Alex Schadenberg is the executive director of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition and you can read his blog here.

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We won 7 – 0

From Hawaii Against Assisted Suicide, March 23, 2017

Today, in a drastic turnaround from a lopsided vote in the Hawaii Senate to pass a bill seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii, the Hawaii House Health Committee unanimously (7-0) recommended that the bill be delayed.

The Committee members agreed that SB 1129 SD 2 has too many problems to go forward at this time. What this means is that the bill is most probably dead for the year.

A great victory due to a team effort.

Special thanks to the Committee members who made it a point to read the bill. Special thanks to the people of Hawaii showing up to outnumber the bill's proponents at least 4 to 1. And special thanks to the people who organized them, you know who you are..

To read a bullet point summary of problems with the bill and why the other side's choice claim is a big fat fib, please click here. To read a legal analysis submitted by Choice is an Illusion, please cliick here. To make a generous donation to Choice is an Illusion or other participating organizations who won this for you, please go to their websites.

Thank you again to everyone who participated to make this happen.

You did it!

Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

Choice is an Illusion, President

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Good news, for now!

From Hawaii Family Forum, March 24, 2017

The House Health Committee, under the decision-making power of Rep. Della Au Belatti and unanimous consent, deferred decision making on the physician-assisted suicide bill today. What that means is that the bill is on hold, for now.

Although this may seem like the battle is over, we must stay vigilant!  Proponents are most likely regrouping to see what they can do to keep the bill alive for this session.

We ask that do you do these things as soon as you can:

1) Say a prayer of thanksgiving!

2) Contact Rep. Della Au Belatti at (808) 586-9425 and thank her for deferring SB1129. Tell her that you appreciate that she did not move the bill forward because you oppose assisted suicide.  Please also contact the rest of the Health Committee and thank them as well.  That list is here.

3) Stay tuned. Compassion and Choices will most likely try to get the bill pulled from the committee.

Mahalo for all your prayers and support.  We appreciate all the community members who came out today to stand in unity against SB 1129 SD2.

Eva Andrade

Hawaii Family Forum

6301 Pali Highway

Kaneohe, HI 96744

(808) 203-6704

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