brittany maynard a 29yearold newlywed with a terminal brain tumor made national news last fall when she announced that she was moving to oregon where it was legal for a doctor to help her die on her own terms but californians against assisted suicide continues to oppose the end of life option act or senate bill 128 it said in a statement to abc news with deep appreciation i thank the california medical association for showing its leadership and wisdom in adopting its neutral policy stance maynards husband dan diaz said in a statement to abc news however despite the remarkable medical breakthroughs weve made and the worldclass hospice or palliative care we can provide it isnt always enough said cma president dr luther cobb compassion and choices the nonprofit aidindying advocacy group applauded cmas announcement and called it a major milestone the coalition said it includes groups such as the association of northern california oncologists the california foundation for independent living centers and disability rights education and defense fund and that it last week sent an opposition letter to legislators as physicians we want to provide the best care possible for our patients it supports brittanys position this decision is mine to make mine alone the decision to participate in the end of life option act is a very personal one between a doctor and their patient which is why cma has removed policy that outright objects to physicians aiding terminally ill patients in end of life options 151 the california medical association which for decades has been against a law allowing physicians to help patients with terminal illnesses die announced today that it has become the first state medical association in the us to change this position brittany maynard advocate for death with dignity ends her life brittany maynard advocate for death with dignity ends her life brittany maynard died just as she wanted the organization in brittany maynards home state is now neutral on aidindying laws and says the decision should be up to the patient and physician to make on a casebycase basis since her death on nov 1 2014 the end of life option act has been introduced in california and at least one terminal patient has sued state officials for the right abc news charli james contributed to this report