If the wording of Proposition D was limited to the promises of its supporters — that it would have protected Laguna Honda Hospital's elderly patients from the assaults of younger patients — it might have won the support of voters.

But the ballot digest included the fine print, and voters overwhelming rejected the notion of a special-use district limiting the patients who can zreceive services at Laguna Honda Hospital, as well as allowing for the development of new nursing homes — including privately-owned — on publicly-zoned lots.

Prop D would have prohibited the hospital from treating patients who are a danger to themselves or others, and persons whose diagnosis is primarily psychiatric.

Backers of the measure said Laguna Honda, became unsafe after a change in admissions policy that encouraged the transfer of patients from San Francisco General Hospital.

Public Health offialswarned that elderly patients suffering from dementia would be barred from admission under the new rules.