Posted on: Friday, February 22, 2002

The 2002 LEGISLATURE
Views sought on assisted suicide

By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Capitol Bureau Chief

The public will have an opportunity to testify on two so-called "death with dignity" bills at the State Capitol tomorrow.

One measure, House Bill 2491, would place a proposed amendment to the State Constitution on the ballot to ask the voters whether terminally ill adults should be allow to obtain a physician's prescription to end their lives.

A second measure scheduled for a hearing is House Bill 2487, which would allow people suffering from a terminal illness to request a doctor's help in ending their lives.

Both bills were introduced by Gov. Ben Cayetano's administration, and House Judiciary Chairman Eric Hamakawa said he believes the issue deserves a public airing. The hearing will begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow at the State Capitol auditorium.

"I think it's something that almost everyone will face either through themselves or a close family member or relative or friend, what to do in the last few days or week of someone's life when they're in pain, and they're not going to get any better," Hamakawa said.

Supporters say the measure will improve end-of-life care, but critics worry such a law could be abused, and would permit doctors to end lives rather than pursuing their proper mission of healing.

Hamakawa, D-3rd (S. Hilo, Puna), said he does not know whether the committee will advance the bill or if his fellow Democrats will bring it to the floor for a vote by the full House this year.

However, Senate Health and Human Services Committee Chairman David Matsuura has said he will not consider administration bills that were introduced in the Senate, strongly suggesting the "death with dignity" bills will not pass this year.