Protect Hawaii's Elderly from Assisted Suicide

From Hawaii Family Forum, February 28, 2018

Physician-assisted suicide is on its way to becoming legal in our aloha state.

Today, a bill to legalize the horrific and dangerous practice of assisted suicide by doctor was passed in a joint hearing of the House Judiciary and Health and Human Services Committees. This is a major setback for Hawaii's most vulnerable populations, including those who are disabled and our kūpuna.

The vote in the committee was as follows:

In the House Health Committee: 

• 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Mizuno, Kobayashi, Belatti, Learmont;
• 1 Noes: Representative Tupola

In the House Judiciary Committee:

• 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Nishimoto, San Buenaventura, Brower, C. Lee, Morikawa, Takayama, Thielen;
• 1 Noes: Representative McDermott

Rep. Bob McDermott rightly asked how he could cast a vote on a bill that hadn't been made available to the committee(s).  You can watch the 13 minute decision making here.  That's right!  Legislators were told they should have taken notes when Rep. Belatti orally listed the changes to the original bill.  As of this writing, the new version (HD1) is still not available to the public.

Although we are deeply disappointed, the battle is far from over. We will have more opportunities to voice our concerns in the remaining half of this session. You can express your opinions directly to the legislators representing your district so they know you care deeply about how this bill will adversely impact our island culture and healthcare protocols and practices, now and into the future.

Click on the link in the message below and you can send an email directly to your House Representative.  You will also have the opportunity to get their phone number so you can make a direct call.  We recommend you do both.

ACTION:

Things to remember when you place the call:

• Please be brief!  Simply state you are opposed to HB2739 HD 1 and you are asking them, as their constituent, to VOTE NO ON HB2739 HD1 when it comes to floor for a vote.
• Please be respectful.  If your legislator voted for the bill, rather than attacking them, note your dissatisfaction with their vote (and the bill) and offer to pray for them and their family as we continue this debate.
• Please stay connected.  Other issues (like reducing suicide in Hawaii by 25%) are moving through the legislature with a potential positive outcome.  We can hold them accountable for their votes and still be respectful.

Mahalo for partnering with us on this important issue.  Please remember to keep our legislators in prayer.  

Mahalo for standing with us!

Eva Andrade

President

Hawaii Family Forum

Click the link below to log in and send your message: https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/7oE3pzqUzTNLpvwgtKgQpA