Hawaii Becomes 4th State in West Coast Health Alliance for Science-Based Vaccine Guidance

Hawaii announced its plan to join the West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) approximately 24 hours after its inception, the Washington State Governor’s Office announced Thursday.  

The WCHA is now comprised of Washington, California, Oregon, and its newest member, Hawaii. The alliance was officially announced on Wednesday as a provider for vaccine recommendations for residents solely based on science.

“We are proud to announce the state of Hawaii is joining the West Coast Health Alliance to uphold the scientific integrity of public health recommendations. We look forward to collaborating as allied states on the best practices for our constituents. Together, we’re taking a stand to ensure the safety of our residents is protected and guided by evidence-based findings and not political whims,” Washington Governor Bob Ferguson, California Governor Gavin Newsom, and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said in a joint statement.

Hawaii joins the West Coast Health Alliance

WCHA will be a shared commitment to safeguard public health by providing evidence-based immunization guidance that ensures residents have credible information free from political interference, according to the release.

“Hawaii is proud to stand with our West Coast partners to ensure public health decisions are grounded in science, not politics,” Hawaii Governor Josh Green, a former emergency room physician, said. “As an island state, we understand how critical it is to protect our communities from preventable disease. By joining the West Coast Health Alliance, we’re giving Hawaii’s people the same consistent, evidence-based guidance they can trust to keep their families and neighbors safe.”

Hawaii Police Department Opens Murder Probe After Alleged Violation of Hawaii’s Assisted Death Law

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2025/01/04/breaking-news/hpd-opens-murder-probe-after-alleged-violation-of-hawaiis-assisted-death-law

By Star-Advertiser staff

Jan. 4, 2025

Honolulu police said they have opened a second-degree murder investigation after a doctor allegedly administer a lethal prescription dose to an 88-year-old woman in violation of Hawaii’s assisted death law.

Hawaii’s Our Care, Our Choice Act of 2018 allows for the prescription of a lethal medication under certain requirements, including to self-administer the lethal medication for the purpose of ending a person’s life, according to police. “Self-administer” means that a person ”must perform an affirmative, conscious, voluntary act to take into the individual’s body the prescription medication to end the individual’s life,” police said

Police alleged Friday that in October in the Punahou area, a 73-year-old male doctor assisted in administering the prescribed medication.

Hawai`i Free Press: Assisted Suicide Up 50%; Previously Enacted Safeguards Have Been Relaxed Or Removed

To read news release (may require two clicks), please click here

HONOLULU — More patients utilized the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) program last year than in 2022, according to the 2023 Our Care, Our Choice Act (OCOCA) Annual Report, prepared by the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH) Office of Planning, Policy and Program Development, July 1, 2024. 

To read the Act in its entirety, click here.

Last year, 91 patients received aid-in-dying prescriptions, which is 31 more than the 2022 total. The Office of Planning, Policy and Program Development said that this is also in line with national data trends and may be due to the increased accessibility that took effect June 1, 2023.

The annual report provides statistics for the OCOCA, which was enacted January 1, 2019. The act allows eligible individuals with terminal illnesses to request medicine that will help them control when and how they choose to die.

Assisted Suicide Bill Should Be Repealed

http://www.thegardenisland.com/2018/05/13/opinion/letters-for-sunday-may-13-2018/

What will it take to repeal Hawaii's new law supporting physician-assisted suicide?

For humanity to evolve, we must relinquish violence which is rampant in our culture. Murder of others and murder of self are forms of violence.

Rather than contriving ways to remove people from the planet, we are invited to creatively and compassionately think of ways to support people on the planet.

Hawaii is a role model for "ohana" and "aloha" and family support; the exact opposite of physician-assisted suicide.

Legislators Did Not Know the Text of What They Were Voting On

Scott Nishimoto
"'Pass it then read it,'
 a member of the public
 shouted out sarcastically.'

http://www.civilbeat.org/2018/02/medical-aid-in-dying-bill-takes-major-step-forward-in-hawaii-legislature/

The committees also added another hurdle before a patient could receive the prescription. Aside from needing two medical providers confirming the terminal diagnoses, the six-months-or-less-to-live prognosis and medical competence, the patient must also undergo counseling by a doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist, but could do so by phone.

Hawaii would be the first state to require counseling, Mizuno said. He added that the tele-health provision would help make it easier for residents in Hawaii to comply with the counseling requirement, recognizing that some live in rural areas far from doctors.

The committees also lengthened the time the patient must wait between making two verbal requests for medically assisted death. Instead of 14 days, the amended version now calls for 20 days. One signed written request, witnessed by two people (one unrelated to the patient), is also required.

Purported Protections Negated by Other Bill Provisions; Not Enforceable.

HB 2218 &  HB 2736, seeking to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii, contain purported patient protections such as a the participation of a second doctor and waiting periods.[1] The bills, however, also hold doctors that the attending provider is merely to ensure that all “appropriate” steps are carried out.[4] In addition, the provider is held to an “accordance” standard. The bill states:

The attending provider shall: . . .

(11) Ensure that all appropriate steps are carried out in accordance with this chapter . . . .  (Emphasis added).[5]

The bill does not define “accordance.”[6] Dictionary definitions include “in the spirit of,” meaning “in thought or intention.”[7] With these definitions, the attending provider’s mere thought or intention to comply is good enough. The purported safeguards are unenforceable.

Update: Touted Safeguards Are Neutralized; Unenforceable

Margaret Dore, Esq.

By Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA

HB 2739 seeks to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The bill also promotes itself as having “robust" safeguards.[1] Indeed, the bill goes so far as to say that its "rigorous safeguards would be the strongest of any state in the nation and will thoroughly protect patients and their loved ones from any potential abuse."[2]

The purported safeguards are enumerated and include that the attending provider “shall” refer the patient to a consulting provider, and that the attending provider “shall” offer the patient an opportunity to rescind the lethal dose request.[3]

The bill, however, also says that the attending provider is merely to ensure that all “appropriate” steps are carried out, and that the provider is held to an “accordance” standard. The bill, § 4, states:

The attending provider shall: . . .

(11) Ensure that all appropriate steps are carried out in accordance with this chapter . . . .  (Emphasis added).[4]

The bill does not define "appropriate" or “accordance.”[5] Dictionary definitions of appropriate include "suitable or fitting."[6] Dictionary definitions of accordance include “in the spirit of,” meaning “in thought or intention.”[7] 

With these definitions, the attending provider’s mere view of what is "suitable or fitting" is enough for safeguard compliance. The provider's mere "thought or intention" is similarly sufficient. The touted safeguards are thus neutralized to whatever an attending provider happens to feel is appropriate and/or had a thought or intention to do. They are unenforceable.

Thank You Representative Oshiro!

Representative Marcus Oshiro (in green)

This is a belated thank you to Representative Marcus Oshiro, one of the many people instrumental to the defeat of SB 1129, which had sought to legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia in Hawaii.

Representative Oshiro took the lead to make stopping the bill one of his main goals for the legislative session. From my viewpoint, he was a major reason we won in what was also a great team effort. Choice is an Illusion got him a plaque in appreciation.

Assisted Suicide Dealt Another Blow In Hawaii

Attorney General
Douglass S. Chin

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2017/07/15/medical-aid-in-dying-dealt-another-blow-in-hawaii/

ARTICLE SUMMARY- They failed at the legislature this year, and now a court dismissed a lawsuit, but advocates have not given up.

(BIVN) – An Oahu circuit judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit asking the court to prevent existing Hawaii criminal laws from being applied to medical aid in dying [assisted suicide] practices.

In its decision, the court relied upon state legal precedent that prohibited it from issuing such relief, the state attorney general said in a media release. The attorney general opposed the suit, filing the successful motion to dismiss.

Reject SB 1129 S.D. 2 Memorandum

By Margaret Dore, Esq.

To view a print version, click here and here.

To view the entire memo in html, click here.

I. INTRODUCTION

I am an attorney in Washington State where assisted suicide is legal.[1] Our law is based on a similar law in Oregon. Both laws are similar to the proposed act in SB 1129 SD 2.

The proposed act seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and euthanasia as those terms are traditionally defined. The act calls these practices “aid in dying.” This is misleading. “Eligible” persons may have years or decades to live. The act is also sold as a promotion of patient choice and control, which is not true. The act is stacked against the patient and a recipe for elder abuse. I urge you to vote “No” on SB 1129 SD2.

We Won! (7-0)

Della Au Belatti,
Chair House Health
Committee 

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.

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

You did it!

Margaret Dore, Esq., MBA
Choice is an Illusion, President

Vote “No” on SB 1129 SD 2: No Assisted Suicide; No Euthanasia

For more information, click here and here.

Highlights:

• Passing the act will encourage people with years, even decades, to live, to throw away their lives.

• The proposed act is sold as completely voluntary, but doesn’t even have a provision requiring administration of the lethal dose to be voluntary.

• Administration of the lethal dose is allowed to occur in private without a doctor or witness present. If the patient objected or struggled, who would know?

Under SB 1129 SD 2, Patients Lose the Right to Informed Consent

By Margaret Dore, Esq.

Under current Hawaii law, patients making a health care decision have the right to “informed consent.”[1] This includes the right to be supplied with information concerning “recognized alternative treatments” and their “recognized benefits.” Hawaii's Informed Consent Statute, HRS § 671-3(b), states:

The following information shall be supplied to the patient . . . prior to obtaining consent to a proposed medical . . . treatment . . . .

(4) The recognized alternative treatments or procedures, . . .  and . . .

(6) The recognized benefits of the recognized alternative treatments or procedures. (Emphasis added).[1]

Under SB 1129 SD 2, patients instead have the right to an “informed decision.” Instead of having the right to be told of recognized alternative treatments and their benefits, the patient will have the right to be told of “feasible alternatives,” all of which have to do with death and dying. SB 1129 SD 2, § -2, states:

SB 1129 SD 2 Creates the Perfect Crime

To the Hawaii State Senate:

SB 1129 SD 2 seeks to legalize physicain a traditional euphemism for assisted suicide and euthanasia.  The act applies to people with years or decades to live. The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially in the inheritance situation for persons middle class and above.

Highlights:

• Passing the act will encourage people with years or decades to live, to throw away their lives.

• Administration of the lethal dose is allowed to occur in private without a doctor or a witness present. If the patient objected or struggled, who would know?

• The death certificate is required to list a terminal disease as the cause of death.  The death will be a terminal disease (not murder) as a matter of law.  The death certif gives perpetrators The bill creates the perfect crime.

Oregon Assisted Suicide Law Facilitated Fraud of Elderly Man

The Committee on Judiciary and Labor has issued a report claiming that there has never been a documented instance of coercion or abuse under Oregon's assisted suicide law, which is not true. There study claming that Oregon's law is There is also  recommending passage of an assisted suicide/euthanasia act (SB 1129 S.D. 2), which based on a misunderstanding of a similar law in Oregon.

1.  

 On March 26, 2013, Philip Tummarello, a retired police Sergeant Inspector, testified before the Montana Senate Judiciary Committee on on behalf of HB 505.  His testimony included the Thomas Middleton case in which physician-assisted suicide had facilitated the defrauding of an elderly man.  An article from KTVZ.com states: 

"State and court documents show Middleton, who suffered from Lou Gehrig's disease, moved into Sawyer's home in July 2008, months after naming her trustee of his estate, The Bulletin reported Saturday.  Middleton deeded his home to the trust and directed her to make it a rental until the real estate market improved.

Instead, Sawyer signed documents that month to list the property for sale, two days after Middleton died by physician-assisted suicide.  The property sold in October of that year for more than $200,000, the documents show, and it was deposited into an account for one of Sawyer's businesses, Starboard LLC, and $90,000 of that was transferred to two other Sawyer companies, Genesis Futures and Tami Sawyer PC."  (Emphasis added).

recommending passage of SB 1129 S.D. 2, based in large part on the

The Hawaii Legislature is considering legalizing assisted suicide (Senate Bill 1129 SD1). I am a doctor in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal.

In 2000, I had a cancer patient named Jeanette Hall who was adamant that she was going to use Oregon’s law. Without treatment, she had a prognosis of six months to a year to live, rendering her “eligible.” I convinced her to be treated instead. Today, 16 years later, she is thrilled to be alive.

In Oregon, the Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) steers patients to suicide in lieu of desired treatments for cure or to extend life. Private insurers have this same ability. Do you want this to be your choice?

Legal assisted suicide encourages people with years to live to throw away their lives and allows providers to steer patients to suicide in lieu of treatment.

Tell your legislators to vote “No” on SB 1129 SD1.

Kenneth Stevens, M.D.

Sherwood, Ore.

Legal Assisted Suicide Encourages People With Years to Live to Throw Away Their Lives

Jeanette Hall

http://www.staradvertiser.com/2017/03/01/editorial/letters/learn-lessons-of-oregons-law/

The Hawaii Legislature is considering legalizing assisted suicide (Senate Bill 1129 SD1). I am a doctor in Oregon, where assisted suicide is legal.

In 2000, I had a cancer patient named Jeanette Hall who was adamant that she was going to use Oregon’s law. Without treatment, she had a prognosis of six months to a year to live, rendering her “eligible.” I convinced her to be treated instead. Today, 16 years later, she is thrilled to be alive.

Assisted Suicide/Euthanasia Act Must Be Rejected

HONOLULU, Feb. 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Attorney Margaret Dore, president of Choice is an Illusion, which is fighting assisted suicide and euthanasia legalization efforts throughout the United States, made the following statement in connection with an assisted suicide/euthanasia bill set for hearing tomorrow in the Hawaii State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor. The bill is SB 1129 S.D. 1.

“The bill seeks to pass a proposed act legalizing assisted suicide and allowing euthanasia,” said Dore. “If enacted, the act will apply to people with years or decades to live. The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially for people with money, meaning the middle class and above in the inheritance situation.”

Make a page Dore Memo Opposing SB 1129 SD1

• Prevent non-voluntary assisted       suicide;
• Prevent non-voluntary euthanasia;
• Prevent people with years to live,   from throwing away their lives;
• Stop legal elder abuse;
• Preserve government                   transparency and integrity;        
• Don’t let Hawaii become corrupt     like Oregon.

To view a pdf version of this document, click here for the memo and click here for the appendix

Dore Testimony Excerpt Opposing SB 1129 SD 1

Margaret Dore, Esq.
 "[W]ill people be killed by
their heirs and other
perpetrators in a black hole
of  wishful thinking?"

To Chairman Keith-Agaran and members of the Committee:

[The proposed act in SB 1129 SD 1 seeks to legalize physician-assisted suicide and allow euthanasia. My memo and documentation opposing the act can be viewed here and here].

The act will encourage people with years or decades to live to throw away their lives.  (See memo, pp 3-6). The act is a recipe for elder abuse, especially for those in the middle class and above in the inheritance situation. (Id., pp. 8-9). The act creates the perfect crime in which the death is allowed to occur in private, without oversight, and the death certificate gives perpetrators a "stay out of jail free card."  (Id., pp. 10-13).