HONOLULU — The Hawaii House has approved a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients.
HONOLULU — The Hawaii House has approved a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients.
The House’s action on Tuesday sends the measure to the Senate, which last year overwhelmingly approved a similar bill.
The proposal would allow physicians to prescribe medication to a terminally ill, but mentally-capable patient with less than six months to live.
The patient must be able to take the medication themselves and would be required to undergo a mental health consultation.
Supporters say the bill has some of the strongest safeguards in the nation, but critics say they want more to improve enforcement and prevent abuse.
