New law in Hawaii allows terminally ill patients to take their own lives

by: AP

Posted: Jan 3, 2019 / 12:02 PM EST / Updated: Jan 3, 2019 / 12:02 PM EST

FILE – In this Friday, July 8, 2016 file photo, a prescription is filled at a pharmacy in Sacramento, Calif. On Friday, May 11 2018, Trump is scheduled to give his first speech on how his administration will seek to lower drug prices. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Hawaii became the seventh state or jurisdiction to allow terminally ill patients to take their own lives with prescription drugs on Jan. 1.

Under the Our Care, Our Choice Act, adult residents with less than six months to live can get a prescription for life-ending medication.

We applaud @GovHawaii for signing the #OurCareOurChoice Act into law. Congratulations to Hawaii, the seventh jurisdiction to adopt a #DeathwithDignity statute! #aidindying pic.twitter.com/TzcawoerGR— Death with Dignity (@DeathwDignity) April 5, 2018

The Hawai’i Department of Health has provided a guide to physicians and patients on their website on the process.