Medical aid in dying is currently authorized in Hawai‘i. Legislation to improve the Our Care, Our Choice Act (OCOCA) passed and was signed by Governor Josh Green on June 2, 2023. Read about the improvements here.
The power of personal stories to inspire and drive change is undeniable. Everyone has a story, and we invite you to share yours.
In April, Compassion & Choices was honored to participate in the Merrie Monarch festival in Hilo, Hawai’i. This weeklong celebration brings people from all around the world to celebrate the art of hula. The festival honors King David Kalākaua, and his patronage of the arts and love for Hawaiian culture.
Updated Law Cuts Nation’s Longest Waiting Period from 20 to 5 Days, Allows Providers to Waive it if Need Be, Allows More Providers to Participate Compassion & Choices praised Hawai‘i Governor Josh Green, M.D., for signing legislation last week to significantly improve access to its 2018 law allowing terminally ill adults to obtain a prescription…
In a warm virtual welcome at the 2023 Hawai’i Arts Summit Eō: Calling out the Future!, Chief Engagement Officer Brandi Alexander introduced Compassion & Choices to more than 100 leaders of Hawaiian businesses, arts organizations and community based organizations. Alexander’s message, reflecting on the role of art as the foundation for communication, transformation and meaning, expanded…
This legislative session is showing great promise, with encouraging progress in several states. Connecticut The Connecticut General Assembly’s Public Health Committee gave a bipartisan vote of 22-9 on March 4 in support of a medical aid-in-dying-bill. Advocates urged lawmakers to approve the bill, which has been referred to the Senate for action. “We hope the…
Counting patients among her greatest teachers, Hawaii physician Charlotte Charfen has gradually shifted her focus to end-of-life care. A board certified emergency medicine physician for over 20 years, Dr. Charlotte Charfen had to get comfortable with death. “I think people have a perception that emergency medicine is all about saving lives and don’t actually recognize…
HONOLULU — The Department of Health has released its annual report detailing usage information during the first two years of the Our Care, Our Choice Act (OCOCA) (Jan. 1, 2019 – Dec. 31, 2020). The law gives mentally capable, terminally ill adults with six months or less to live the option of medication they can…
Our friend and champion, John Radcliffe, died Tuesday night after a long battle with cancer. John was a tireless advocate for medical aid in dying in Hawai`i. Diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2014, he dedicated his final years to getting the Our Care, Our Choice Act passed. The day it went into effect, January 1,…
As protests for racial justice in Portland continue and new images of the federal response emerge, I want to express my concern for the safety of the many Compassion & Choices staff, supporters, volunteers and allies who live there. Please know that we are thinking of you during this tumultuous time. As a mom myself,…
This month, Hawaii and California departments of health released 2019 annual reports on their respective medical aid-in-dying laws. These reports provide data on how many people utilized medical aid in dying, how many doctors wrote prescriptions and other critical information related to the medical practice. In the first full year of Hawaii’s Our Care, Our…
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