11 Dec 2008

Right to Die Bill clears American Samoa's House of Reps

7:15 pm on 11 December 2008

American Samoa Residents can now make advanced directives for relatives and the hospital to follow in the event they become terminally ill and do not want to be kept alive by other means.

Legislation known as the Right to Die Bill has cleared the House of Representatives in its final reading by one vote.

The Chairman of the House Health Committee Rep Paopao Fiaui said that the bill does not give medical staff the right to end someone's life.

He said the bill merely allows an advanced directive for patients so that if they are too ill to make a decision, there'll be a guideline for the hospital and relatives to follow.

The Senate has already approved the bill.