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After nearly a quarter-century of efforts in California to afford terminally ill patients the right to end their lives with a doctor’s help, state lawmakers and the governor may be on the verge of granting the dying that authority. The state Assembly on Wednesday passed a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending drugs to the terminally sick. The End of Life Option Act, which the Catholic Church and others oppose, awaits final approval by the Senate -- three months after that chamber passed a similar bill by a thin margin. (McGreevy and Willon, 9/9)

Supporters of a controversial bill to legalize physician-assisted suicide in California have two more days to get their legislation to the Governor’s desk. The bill cleared one of its last major hurdles in the Assembly on Wednesday, with members voting 42 to 33 to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients who request it. (Dembosky, 9/9)

Legislation that would allow doctors to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients cleared a major hurdle Wednesday when the state Assembly narrowly passed the measure on a 43-34 vote after an emotionally wrenching debate that left many legislators in tears. (Calefati and Seipel, 9/9)

A hard-fought measure to allow physician-assisted suicide in California passed the state Assembly on Wednesday despite opposition from religious groups and advocates for the disabled, moving to the state Senate where it is widely expected to pass. The measure, which would allow doctors to prescribe medication to some terminally ill patients to end their lives if taken, passed 43-34 after weeks of hearings and passionate debate. (Bernstein, 9/9)