The Changing Politics of Dying

A "right to die" bill similar to an Oregon law is stalled in the California Senate. It would permit doctors to give lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients (with less than six months left to live, to help them die quickly and painlessly). Polls show a majority of Californians favor what's called "death with dignity" and, for the first time, doctors have dropped their opposition. But opponents say the sick and dying are too vulnerable to coercion.

Also, the state water board is on the brink of forcing more California growers to shut off their pumps.

Photo: Lee Haywood