HARTFORD, Conn. – A push for the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is under way in a half-dozen states where proponents say they see strong support for allowing doctors to prescribe mentally competent, dying individuals with the medications needed to end their own lives.

The large number of baby boomers facing end-of-life issues themselves has made the issue more prominent in recent years.

Groups such as Compassion & Choices, a national end-of-life advocacy organization, have been working to advance the cause.