I am an attorney in Washington State, where assisted suicide was recently legalized. Thank you for your guest column by Dr. DiConstanzo and his wife. [ "'Death With Dignity' Bills Should Not Be Fast-Tracked Through Hawaii Legislature", February 11, 2009].
In Washington State, clever marketing encouraged voters to believe that they were voting for autonomy and choice. Our new law is instead a recipe for elder abuse or perhaps, more bluntly, a new, more efficient wealth transfer mechanism. Key provisions include that your heir, who will benefit from your death, is allowed to help you sign up for the lethal dose.
Hawaii's proposed law, HB 806, has the same provisions. See Sections 22 & 61 (allowing your heir to be a witness on the lethal dose request form); and Section 1 (allowing someone else to talk for you during the request process, for example, your heir).
See it here: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/Bills/HB806_.HTM
Protect yourselves and your family. Don?t let legalized assisted suicide come to Hawaii.
Margaret K. Dore is with the Law Offices of Margaret K. Dore, P.S. in Seattle, WA. Reach her at mailto:margaretdore@margaretdore.com
