The Colorado End of Life Options Act is straightorward. Before you vote for or against it, please be sure you know what it does and does not do.
The law would allow a mentally capable adult Coloradan diagnosed with a terminal illness that likely will cause death within six months the option of requesting a prescription for a life-ending medication. It makes it possible for physicians to prescribe such medicine without being subject to criminal or civil prosecution.
The law does not permit euthanasia or mercy killing. It does not apply to someone who has dementia or is in an unconscious state. Only the dying person can initiate a request; no one can make a request on behalf of another. The person must be at least 18, a resident of Colorado, diagnosed with an incurable illness likely to cause death within six months and have a terminal diagnosis confirmed by a second physician. The dying person must make two oral requests for the medication with a minimum 15-day waiting period between requests, make a third written request signed in the presence of at least two witnesses, one of whom can’t be related nor stand to gain financially, and the patient must be able to take the medicine him or herself.
Further, the person must be counseled about all treatment alternatives, must be informed of the right to change his or her mind and be informed about safe-keeping and disposal of the medication. If either physician feels that the person did not fully understand the request or there might be coercion or duress the person must be referred for a mental examination. Medical records are private, the death certificate lists the underlying illness as the cause of death, and insurance companies cannot deny payment. What this law does is get the government and other people’s beliefs out of private decisions made by those about to die. It is TOTALLY voluntary. To learn more attend sessions Oct. 13 at 3:30 and 5 at the Durango Public Library. Be informed! This is not a political issue. It is an issue of personal freedom!
Elizabeth W. Norton
Durango
