Honolulu, Hawaii, Mar 13, 2017 / 15:00 pm
Although critics said an assisted suicide bill would put vulnerable people at risk and change the nature of medicine, the Hawaii Senate has given it strong support.
"Physicians are seen as trusted health advisors, and this bill undermines this relationship, creating suspicion and uncertainty for Hawaii's patients," said Deacon Walter Yoshimitsu, executive director of the Hawaii Catholic Conference.
"The Senate's approval of assisted suicide ignores the tremendous strides we have made as a community to promote the value of hospice and palliative care to care for those with terminal illnesses and to ensure everyone has access to quality end of life care."
Deacon Yoshimitsu said the Catholic conference has worked to uphold the sanctity of life.