Assisted suicide attacked from an unlikely front

"Oncologists and others who do end-of-life care have told me there's a lot of treatable depression in terminally ill people, but it often goes undiagnosed and untreated," Longmore said. "In a given case, I'd also want to know about the pain management the patient is getting. I'd want to know if they are worried about becoming dependent on their families. I'd want to know if they have access to hospice services.

"Death with dignity means you get all the services you need and you don't have to worry about burdening your family or other people. People with disabilities understand that more clearly than most people."

The Assembly bill, he noted, would have required doctors to give patients information on pain management and hospice care, but wouldn't have provided access to those services.

Levine said it was unlikely he would try to revive AB 374 next year. "There will have been nothing that's changed in the Legislature," he said. "The Republicans are still in lockstep at zero votes. It's a shame, because it's a good law. [Opponents] have tried to whip people into a frenzy and make them afraid, and, unfortunately, that's carried the day."

For some disability rights advocates, the prospect of not having to go into combat on the issue next year is a relief.

"I'm tired of fighting it," Remson Mitchell said. "I'd much rather be working for healthcare reform than battling this, over and over and over again. Killing someone isn't improving anyone's care."

james.ricci@latimes.com