Initiative 1000:
The Facts
Ballot Title:
Initiative Measure No. 1000 concerns allowing certain terminally ill competent adults to obtain lethal prescriptions.
This measure would permit terminally ill, competent, adult Washington residents, who are medically predicted to have six months or less to live, to request and self-administer lethal medication prescribed by a physician.
As proposed, I-1000 would legalize physician-assisted suicide in Washington State.
To qualify, a patient must:
o Be at least 18 years old
o Prove WA. State residency by driver's license, voter registration card, etc.
o Be diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six months
o Be mentally competent to make health care decisions
o Make decision voluntarily
Two physicians determine whether qualifying criteria have been met.
The attending physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives including comfort care, hospice care and pain control.
The application process includes an oral and written request, a waiting period, and two witnesses.
No one other than the eligible patient may administer the oral medication.
The patient may revoke her / his decision at any time.
The attending physician shall recommend that families be notified (notification is not required)
Counseling referral is made if, in the physician's opinion, the patient needs it.
Doctors to list the underlying terminal illness as the cause of death, rather than assisted suicide.
Immunity is granted to persons participating in actions allowed under I-1000.
State reports shall not refer to actions taken under I-1000 as being suicide or assisted suicide.
