Everett, Wash. Published: Monday, February 2, 2009
State hospitals making right-to-die policies
Associated Press
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Health officials, hospitals and hospices are facing a deadline to decide on policies for Washington's new right-to-die law.
The Death with Dignity Act approved by voters in November takes effect March 5. The state Health Department is drafting rules to implement the law, and a public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 10 in Tumwater.
Even Catholic health care systems that opt out still have to decide how to move patients who want to use the law. In Seattle, the University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center are participating but still working out policies.
The new law is modeled after the Oregon law that allows a lethal dose of medicine for terminally ill patients.
