Hawaii is the seventh state or jurisdiction to allow terminally ill patients to take their lives with prescription drugs. The legislation was expanded to Hawaii this monthand requires patients to receive two “independent diagnoses,” indicating that the patient has six months or less to live. The patient must also seek psychological counseling.
The Hawaii Department of Health created a webpage, providing all forms and instructions to physicians and patients.
But some healthcare providers and pharmacists oppose the measure, some on religious or ethical grounds; others say it’s not practical.
James Hochberg, attorney and president of the Hawaii Family Advocates, told Hawaii News Now that the process of dying under Hawaii’s new law is “cumbersome,” and makes it difficult for patients to acquire the full dose of medicine need to kill themselves.
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