This bill discriminates against our African-American and Hispanic neighbors, sick seniors, the disabled, the uninsured and all who are vulnerable in our community, said Michael Scott, director of the D.C. Catholic Conference.

"We're talking about killing a human being," said Aubert Martin, executive director of a grassroots anti-euthanasia organization. "This is criminal."

The poor, minorities and disability activists are the most vocal opponents of assisted suicide.

Opponents say the bill is flawed because it endangers "high-risk" populations, including the elderly, the uninsured and underinsured, the homeless, low-income individuals and those with intellectual disabilities.

Two Catholic organizations are calling on physicians to urge the American Medical Association to maintain its current stance against physician-assisted suicide. The call from the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Bioethics Center

The AMA's Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs is gathering information to "outline the current landscape" on physician-assisted suicide.