dr. toffler, if a patient asks? >> it is a very scary time. and at that time, i want to come around the person. i want to walk alongside them. i want to be the best doctor i can be. i'm called to be more of a doctor than ever. i'm not supposed to be the person who helps her to kill herself. that's all too easy. >> reporter: in a policy opinion, the american medical association says "physician assisted suicide is fundamentally incompatible with the physician's role as healer." and some religious groups, most notably the u.s. conference of catholic bishops, have strongly opposed the practice. according to the gallup polling organization a slim majority of americans supports assisted suicide. it's only legal in oregon washington and vermont. but since brittany maynard's death, dozens of states have introduced or are reconsidering "death with dignity" legislation. and advocates have made progress in the courts. decisions in montana and new mexico have opened the door to assisted dying. last month, plaintiffs filed suit to allow the practice in cal