Colorado Overwhelmingly Passes Aid-In-Dying Measure
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.
Denver Post:
Colorado Passes Medical Aid In Dying, Joining Five Other States
Colorado passed a medical aid in dying measure Tuesday that will allow adults suffering from terminal illness to take life-ending, doctor-prescribed sleeping medication. The ballot initiative passed overwhelmingly, by a two-thirds, one-third split, according to unofficial returns. Supporters claimed victory an hour after polls closed in Colorado. (Brown, 11/8)
The Associated Press:
Colorado Becomes 5th State To OK 'Aid In Dying'
Proposition 106 requires that a mentally competent patient have a six-month prognosis and get two doctors to approve requests for life-ending medication. It requires doctors to discuss alternatives with the patient as well as safe storage, tracking and disposal of lethal drugs, recognizing that a patient can change his or her mind. (Anderson, 11/18)
Washington Examiner:
Colorado Approves Doctor-Assisted Suicide
Advocates for physician-assisted suicide had focused their efforts on getting a ballot measure passed, after the issue failed to gain traction in the Colorado legislature last year and again this year. The national group Compassion and Choices was the effort's chief funder, spending several million dollars in support of the measure. Five other states already allow doctor-assisted suicide: California, Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont. (Cunningham, 11/8)