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Why does the HMA oppose physician assisted suicide?

Every physician takes the Hippocratic oath when they graduate from medical school. This oath forbids physicians from taking any action, which harms a patient. The act of assisted suicide is in direct opposition with the Hippocratic oath.

What are some of the problems with physician assisted suicide?

Many patients become depressed when they receive the news that they have a terminal illness and may make decisions regarding dying that they may later regret. Often the news that an illness cannot be treated is overwhelming and leads to depression. With treatment, patients are able to overcome depression and lead the remainder of their lives with fulfillment, new purpose and with time to bring closure to their relationships. This is very different from a situation in which patients are at the end of their life and have a very short time to live.

How do we reconcile these various positions?

We can help people outline their end of life wishes with a legal document drawn up by an attorney. This document will clearly indicate which procedures a patient wants and does not want and provides direction to family members and health care workers with regard to those wishes. Physicians and other health care workers are bound by law to honor this document and the patient's wishes.

How does this approach benefit patients?

We can make end of life issues easier for patients and families through pain management measures that give the patient control over the amount of medications they may need. This allows the patient to decide the dose of medications to relieve their pain rather than a physician making an arbitrary decision about how much medication is needed. Patients can choose to live their last days in a semi-conscious state if that is their wish. The physician will provide sufficient medications so that the patient has the option. This is very different from a physician administering a lethal dose of medication to a patient or telling them how much medication they may need to kill themselves. These may seem like semantic arguments, but there are essential differences in the approach we support. We feel that the approach outlined above gives the patient the freedom to die and with dignity, to decide the dose of medication they receive, and prevents patients from living their last days in unbearable pain.

We feel that the proposed legislation does not adequately address the safeguards for patients, families and physicians.

HMA Position Paper Opposition To Physician-Assisted Suicide/Death

HPACC members are:

• Hawaii Medical Association
• Hawaii Nurses Association
• Healthcare Association of Hawaii
• Hawaii Cancer Pain Initiative
• Not Dead Yet (Disability Rights Organization)
• Disability Rights Hawaii
• Hawaii Centers for Independent Living
• Hawaii Family Forum
• Hawaii Catholic Conference
• Hawaii Right to Life

6301 Pali Highway
Kaneohe, HI 96744-5224
Phone: (808) 203-6704
Fax: (808) 261-7022
hpacc@hpacc.org