February 16, 2011 in Idaho

Idaho moves to ban assisted suicide

Betsy Z. Russell The Spokesman-Review

Tags:2011 Idaho Legislature

BOISE - Amid quotes from scripture and urgings from anti-abortion activists, an Idaho Senate committee on Wednesday approved legislation to outlaw physician-assisted suicide in the state, making it a felony.

Jason Herring, president of Right to Life of Idaho, told the Senate State Affairs Committee, quoting from the book of Psalms, “Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. … We don’t believe that this belongs to a doctor or hospital, this is not something that belongs to a panel or even a patient, this is something that belongs to our Creator.”

He told lawmakers that hastening death is “usurping the authority of God.”

The bill, SB 1070, was sponsored by anti-abortion activists but was negotiated with the Idaho Medical Association, which got wording added to protect physicians making appropriate patient-care decisions for dying patients or following those patients’ living wills or advance care directives. The IMA now supports the bill.

Ken McClure, IMA lobbyist, told the committee, “Under current law, it is not at all clear whether assisted suicide is a crime or not.” It’s not currently a part of Idaho’s standards for patient care, he said, and doctors don’t want it to be. “This law gives a physician the assurance that if proper medical care is being given, he or she is safe from prosecution,” McClure told the senators.

Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, who noted she has lost three family members in the past year including her husband, former Sen. Clint Stennett, raised questions about whether the bill would hold patients, family members or doctors criminally liable for decisions about when to remove artificial life supports. “These are all very personal personal things for the family and the individual,” she said.

Sen. Russ Fulcher, R-Meridian, said the bill came in response to a controversial talk at an IMA convention earlier this year urging support for physician-assisted suicide in Idaho, which is legal in several surrounding states including Washington. “It’s pretty clear that Idaho is targeted for a similar type of a movement, and there are those of us who don’t believe that that’s the direction that Idahoans want to go,” Fulcher said.

The bill makes it a felony to assist in a suicide, plus revokes the licenses of physicians who do so. It also authorizes court injunctions against anyone “reasonably believed to be about to violate” the new law.

David Ripley of Idaho Chooses Life, who presented the bill, said he thought the penalties were “quite reasonable given the fact that we’re talking about ending a person’s life.”

The bill now moves to the full Senate with a recommendation that it pass.

21 comments on this story so far. Add yours!

fishinjay on February 16 at 2:12 p.m.
“Idaho moves to mandate long term suffering for dying citizens”
xaochal on February 16 at 2:20 p.m.
Great. More right-wing intrusion into the personal lives of Americans. Mind your own damn business! And balance the budget!!
MrNatural on February 16 at 2:21 p.m.
well said fishinjay…for a state that values personal freedom they sure impose a lot of choice controls…
Diana on February 16 at 2:25 p.m.
So this is small government?
MrNatural on February 16 at 2:54 p.m.
Idaho seems at times to be a political science lesson in pretense and double standards…but you can always count on ole Idaho to legislate by way of religious fundamentalism…and sometimes even in front of a taco truck
greyhound2 on February 16 at 3:01 p.m.
This is an attempt by mean spirited people to make sure that no one misses out on all the suffering available when the end is inescapable, and for the doctors and medical industry plenty of time to drain every cent of assets from its victims.
TOOBAD2 on February 16 at 3:17 p.m.
if you don’t like where idaho is or is going. leave.
hawken on February 16 at 3:30 p.m.
Another good move by Idaho.
If suicide is the goal of an individual. Leave the hospital and go home.
There are many ways to medicate and comfort one in their last days apart from suicide.
Loudin on February 16 at 3:40 p.m.
Idaho hates gub’ment intrusion in their lives.
Idaho likes gub’ment intrusion in their lives.
Idaho is schizophrenic.
Orange on February 16 at 3:52 p.m.
Wow hawken, well said.
Scoutster on February 16 at 4:30 p.m.
So, now Idaho is putting the government between patient and doctor.
jessiepn on February 16 at 4:48 p.m.
“Jason Herring, president of Right to Life of Idaho, told the Senate State Affairs Committee, quoting from the book of Psalms, “Unto God the Lord belong the issues from death. … ”
I assume this means that Idaho is also going to outlaw the death penalty…
Ken_Bernice_Kanzler on February 16 at 5:07 p.m.
I thought it was supposed to be the State of Idaho not Helmand Province in Afghanistan. I thought for a minute there I was listening to the rantings of the Taliban. I don’t know why everyone one is ranting about Sharia Law when we have the Christian equivalent right there in Idaho.
Diana on February 16 at 5:17 p.m.
“Another good move by Idaho”, says Mr. Small Government.
I know the GOP likes to inject their legislation into our bedrooms, but on our deathbeds now, too?
Bagger, please. Where are the jobs?
ChefGus/ John Olsen on February 16 at 5:40 p.m.
Having just lived through the deaths of two loved ones… and being present at their passing holding their hands… with Hospice in place in both instances… it is clear that NO ONE needs to suffer…ie be in pain…. and a passing from this coil to “???” can be comfortable and quiet and not a thrash… for people in deep pain… and with no “end in sight” the option to be gone now. rather than later is in my view a positive one… and the folks that DO NOT WANT GOVERMENT in their lives seem to be foisting their views on all of the rest of us with governmental legislative horse stuff…. get out of my bedroom and get out of my death and dying… john (Terri Schiavo (sp) is on our conscience’s )
greenlibertarian on February 16 at 6:58 p.m.
Idiotic bible-thumping.
And if you believe in one of the central ideas of Christianity, as most do, when you die, if you are “saved”, YOU GO ON TO YOUR GREAT REWARD, HEAVEN!
Tell ya what, if somebody ignores my DNR, my end of life care instructions, my Living Will, forcing me to remain on this mortal coil 1 minute longer that I should have, I will haunt that SOB the rest of their miserable life, and they will wish they were dead.
misjustice on February 16 at 7:28 p.m.
Ideeho don’t need no stinkin’ end of life intervention, don’t need no stinkin’ fancy schmancy book learnin’ and don’t need no damn “socialist” health care. Ideeho = the “new” Mississippi; a red state dystopia!
; )
maria on February 16 at 7:59 p.m.
Heeeee, heeeee! Welcome back, MsJ! We’ve missed ya’ll! Wink, wink, nudge, nudge ; )
ny2idaho on February 16 at 9:34 p.m.
I am a Christian, I am an Independent, I lean towards the right. Now, with that being said I am also a Medical Assistant trying to get into the RN program at NIC. I have seen many people die. To allow this religious group to interfere with Gods words of those that do not believe in him; are pressing thier religion on to these individuals and the state of Idaho is establishing a state sanctioned religion. I cannot believe that the right to lifers have been able to get this bill moved to vote. It is time to rally up and to allow those afflicted the right to die with dignity and to not allow these religious zelots the power of control over us. Call your rep ASAP and tell them to vote no!
Retpilot on February 16 at 9:53 p.m.
Are you kidding me? Have these people never heard of the separation of church and state. This fool is reading the bible in the legislature. These people should go to jail just for that. Forget the idea that they have just sent a bill to the senate that is wrong on so many levels. “an injunction against anyone that may reasonable be about to break the new law” ?? Give me a break. These crazy republicans yell about big government yet they are the ones always taking the peoples rights away. It is sickening. I wish a very painful death on all of you when your time comes.
Retpilot on February 16 at 9:59 p.m.
I’m pretty sure that the republicans will only get one chance, and they are failing. Better do all your evil stuff this next year. It is going fast.