CO Assisted Suicide

From Christian News:

"Colorado Votes to Legalize Assisted Suicide"

Voters in Colorado have approved a ballot initiative to legalize assisted suicide in the state. According to the Denver Post, Proposition 106 passed overwhelmingly with two thirds of the vote. “Shall there be a change to the Colorado revised statutes to permit any mentally capable adult Colorado resident who has a medical prognosis of death by terminal illness within six months to receive a prescription from a willing licensed physician for medication that can be self-administered to bring about death,” it asked in part.  The measure requires that two physicians confirm the patient’s terminal prognosis and that the patient be advised of all treatment options other than assisted suicide. Patients will also be mandated to undergo “evaluation by a licensed mental health professional if either physician believes the patient may not be mentally capable.” Proposition 106 was modeled after Oregon’s “Death With Dignity Act,” which 29-year-old cancer patient Brittany Maynard utilized in 2014 to end her life.  As previously reported, until now, Colorado outlawed aiding in one’s death, criminalizing the act as felony manslaughter. After failed attempts in the legislature to legalize assisted suicide, a ballot initiative was put forward for the people to vote on the matter. The Compassion and Choices Action Network, which had backed the ballot initiative, cheered Tuesday’s outcome. “This is a historic day for all Coloradans, and an especially tremendous victory for terminally ill adults who worry about horrific suffering in their final days,” President Barbara Coombs Lee said in a statement. “We are delighted the significant investment paid off and are proud to have lent the expertise and resources to empower the voters of Colorado.” But others expressed disappointment. “We are deeply disappointed and concerned about Colorado legalizing doctor-assisted suicide,” Jeff Hunt, vice president of public policy for Colorado Christian University, told reporters Tuesday night. “The fight is not over.” As previously reported, there are five other American states in which assisted suicide is legal. Following its passage in the legislature in October 2015, California became the fifth state to legalize physician-assisted suicide following Vermont, Oregon, Washington and Montana. Assisted suicide was permitted in Montana through the courts, however, as opposed to a vote in the legislature.

^ I support doctor-assisted suicide for the terminally ill as long as there are strict guidelines followed such as at least two doctors confirming the prognosis, the patient is mentally capable or as made a Medical POA or Living Will when they were mentally capable stating they want to go through with it. I don't understand why people, who are going to die because of a terminal illness, can't decide when they go especially if pain medicines and other treatments are not working. ^

http://christiannews.net/2016/11/09/colorado-votes-to-legalize-assisted-suicide/