Scripting Death

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The rapid expansion of medical aid-in-dying (assisted suicide) in the U.S. has made it legally accessible to one in five Americans, signaling a shift towards greater choice in dying. However, the actual impact of these laws on citizens remains largely unexamined. Sociological studies indicate that the practicalities often diverge from the ideals promoted by advocates, raising concerns about the real extent of choice and control offered by aid-in-dying. This work documents two years of ethnographic research on Vermont's 2013 "Patient Choice and Control at End of Life" Act, gathering narratives from patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, activists, and legislators. Through these stories, the author explores how individuals navigate the complexities of aid-in-dying as a newly established medical option post-legalization. The text elucidates the mechanics of medical aid-in-dying, the motivations behind individuals’ choices, and highlights the distinction between the right to die and actual access to this procedure. This comprehensive account serves as a lens into the evolving cultural conversations surrounding death and dying in contemporary America.