The more I think of the recent event regarding “Assisted Suicide” bill, I feel more urgent need of a reform, (especially among the professionals).
There might have been many more money-driven bills, brought and passed in legislature, sometimes unfairly from the general public’s stand point. Some special interest groups might have benefitted. So what? It is only money…as they may claim.
But, nothing like this one.
Assisted Suicide, Euthanasia?, e.g. taking off from ventilator from patients, might have been already (commonly) happening, privately between families and doctors with or without patients consent, (depending on their level of consciousness at that time of decision making).
Then, why do they want to implement as a law?
Because, they may want to justify their active participation, the prematurely ending patients’ life, (and guilt?), but, not want to disclose the fact that they may want to get benefit, e.g. save money.. But, they might have been, almost exclusively, advertising and putting emphasis on patients’ own choice and benefit, relieving pain and suffering (at the end stage of their lives).
Who may get benefit if the bill passes?
E.g. Hospitals, their administrators, doctors especially if hospitals are part of their ownership, insurance, and, even government (tax payers), if the terminally ill patients are on Medicaid or government assisted program, etc.
But, look how people, especially professionals, who are supposed to think more deeply about this kind of controversial issue, have been doing!
Even after the proposed bill was deferred, (among other things),
1. Only the day after, Honolulu Star-Advertiser made an article to pressure the legislators, with a help from an influential person, former gov. Abercrombie.
2. Civil Beat recently published a biased article, written by Rep. Dr. Richard Creagan. The article almost exclusively stated only positive side of the bill, with an emotional plea.
3. Hawaii democratic party recently sent emails to its members in order to pressure the legislators to revive the bill.
We may dogmatically say that even professionals may want to exchange life with money…?!.
This should have been a bottom line, the fundamental level of professionalism, they should have not given up for, even if they want to justify that it was truly necessary to find alternative way for survival…
We need REFORM, dearly.
Aloha.