California Proposition 161 (1992)
From Ballotpedia
California Proposition 161 was on the November 3, 1992 ballot in California as an initiated state statute, where it was defeated.
- Yes: 4,863,478 (45.87%)
- No: 5,739,918 (54.13%)
Proposition 161 would have allowed mentally competent adults to instruct their physicians in writing to provide aid-in-dying upon their request when they became terminally ill.
Ballot summary
Proposition 161's official ballot summary said:
- Authorizes mentally competent adult to request in writing "aid in dying", as defined, in event terminal condition is diagnosed. Establishes rules for executing, witnessing, revoking request.
- If properly requested, authorizes physician to terminate life in "painless, humane and dignified manner"; provides immunity from civil or criminal liability for participating health care professionals, facilities.
- Allows physicians, health care professionals, privately owned hospitals to refuse assistance in dying if religiously, morally, ethically opposed.
- Provides requesting, receiving authorized assistance "not suicide."
- Prohibits existence or non-existence of directive from affecting insurance policy terms, sale, renewal, cancellation, premiums.
Fiscal estimate
The fiscal estimate provided by the California Legislative Analyst's Office said:
- Potential costs and savings to state and local government health programs. Net impact is unknown, but probably not significant.
