Colorado voters approve Proposition 106, 'right-to-die' ballot measure
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...ballot-measure
DENVER – Colorado voters on Tuesday approved a “right-to-die” measure that would allow terminally ill people to receive medication that would end their lives.
With 50 percent of counties reporting, Proposition 106 had garnered 65 percent of the vote.
The proposition would change Colorado statutes to allow any “mentally-capable” adult aged 18+ with a diagnosed terminal illness that leaves them six months or less to live to receive a prescription from a licensed physician that can be taken voluntarily to end their life....
__________________________
Colorado passes medical aid in dying, joining five other states
http://www.denverpost.com/2016/11/08...ction-results/
...
Opponents, though, vowed to keep
fighting to protect the elderly and people with disabilities, who they said are the law’s targets. “We are deeply disappointed and concerned about Colorado legalizing doctor-assisted suicide,” said Jeff Hunt, vice president of public policy for Colorado Christian University. “The fight is not over.”...
...Two physicians would have to agree the person is mentally competent and has fewer than six months to live, and the person choosing to die would have to self-administer the dosage of secobarbital, historically used in low doses as a sleeping pill. People with dementia or Alzheimer’s would not be eligible for the prescription....
...Opponents said the proposal lacks safeguards —
it does not require that a doctor is present at time of death, does not prevent “doctor shopping,” and does not prevent an heir from plotting the death of a relative to gain inheritance. ..
...Some advocates for the disabled community also were opposed, saying
such a law could lead insurance companies to determine it is more cost-effective to provide medical aid in dying than lifelong medical care....