Legislative Updates: HB1283 (Medical Aid in Dying) - April 5, 2024 Windham Independent
Legislative Updates: HB1283 (Medical Aid in Dying)
This has been my toughest decision as a legislator, and since it generated so many emails and calls from Windham residents on both sides, I must honor my commitment to transparency and accountability by writing about it.
Those are the Roll Call votes taken on March 21, 2024 (from gencourt.state.nh.us):
After failed motions to Table, then Indefinitely Postpone (IP), the Ought To Pass (OTP) motion prevailed, which normally would pass the bill. After a representative who supported OTP asked for reconsideration, the bill was voted on again on March 28.
I supported the March 28 reconsideration motion to respect the representatives who asked for a second chance to debate the bill then vote again. After that vote failed by 147-210 in a division vote (no record of individual votes), all House debate ended.
My decision to support reconsideration does NOT mean that I changed my position on HB1283 - just that I supported allowing the additional debate and a new vote, and that I was open to listening to all arguments from both sides one more time before deciding how to vote this time.
HB1283 requires that the individual has mental capability, less than 6 months to live, makes a voluntary request and can self-administer the requested medications.
That they discuss the diagnosis and prognosis, the risks and result of the medications, the option to not take the medications and any other options, like hospice care and palliative care.
That the request cannot be coerced or unduly influenced by another person or institution, and such attempts are considered Class B felonies.
That nobody can be forced to participate in this process, or be disciplined for participating as described by this bill.
That such prescriptions are reported to DHHS, who will publish an annual statistical report.
It is an extremely narrow bill, which only allows this tough choice for a few rare people that already are in a terrible situation.
This is the only bill for which reading and hearing testimony from both sides brought tears to my eyes, and I know that many of the people who reached out to me feel just as strongly about it.
I made my decisions based on the principles and values that I shared with everyone when running for office. As General Stark said: “Live Free Or Die; Death Is Not The Worst of Evils." - sometimes, people choose to put their lives at risk for others, and sometimes, someone’s quality of life degenerates so much that one’s life is simply not worth living.
After carefully listening to and considering every argument from all sides, I decided that we should not allow the government to force someone who makes an rational, informed decision to end their suffering a few months early to suffer instead through a fate they already decided is worse than death itself.
That choice belongs only to the individual in question - nobody should make that decision on behalf of someone else. This bill would only allow them to choose a kinder, gentler way out of their incessant suffering.
I deeply respect the very different views that I heard, and fully understand that regardless of which way I voted, someone was going to strongly disagree with my decision. But I was elected to make those difficult decisions, and I fulfilled that duty to the best of my abilities.
Please do not hesitate to text or call me at (603) 267-4142 if you want to share further thoughts on this or any other legislative matter, or if I have not replied to your email in a day or two.
Daniel Popovici-Muller
State Representative for Windham
Rockingham District 17
Clerk, Finance II House Committee