Supporters say they count on a new liberal administration to back it. Those against say not that much has changed over the years in what they call broad community opposition.Physician-assisted suicide has come up in legislative sessions every so often since the late 90’s and is back for its first hearing in years.
"This bill puts in some more safety measures than in the past. I think that the grander philosophical questions remain debatable though," said Senator Josh Green.
Debatable and emotional, testimony against outweighed that in favor by more than three to one.
"If we should kill anything, it shouldn't be our kupuna, it should be this bill," Alan Cardenas from the Hawaii Family Forum said.
"There is no hope without a vision, and I hope that we never take that away from people," said Raelene Souza, a Hilo care provider, "so many wonderful people, this bill is very scary."
But supporters see it differently.
"There are nicer ways to ease people's pain and I think that idea has gained a great deal more acceptance in the recent past," Dante Carpenter said.
And they think there are other reasons the bill could survive this year:
"The debate is picking up after 8 years of an administration that wasn't going to pass it," Scott Foster said, "the law will pass at some point sooner or later."
Governor Neil Abercrombie has not said where he stands on the issue. As a candidate he said he saw it as an emotional issue that can divide. As governor, his office says his policies have been focusing on quality of life for our aging population.
The bill would give doctors immunity from civil and criminal liability for acts taken in good faith. Many large Hawaii doctor groups are saying they still wouldn't do it.
"We believe physician assisted suicide to be unethical and fundamentally inconsistent with the pledge all physicians take to devote themselves to healing and life," said Christopher Flanders from the Hawaii Medical Association.
"A patient must never have to suspect that his physician might become his executioner," he said.
If passed, Hawaii would join Oregon, Washington and Montana in allowing doctor-assisted suicide. The Senate Health Committee is expected to vote on the measure later in the week.
