What We're Reading: The Future of Right-to-Die Initiatives

On Election Day, Colorado approved an initiative that would provide access to life-ending medications for terminally ill patients. According to Kaiser Health News, supporters of the initiative are now turning their gaze on other parts of the country. The District of Columbia may be the next to approve such legislation, there is pending legislation in New Jersey, and New York may reintroduce a right-to-die law in January. Supporters are also prepared to campaign in Maryland, Minnesota, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Massachusetts.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the healthcare industry following Donald Trump’s election. Drug makers’ stocks were up, but hospital stocks were down the day after Election Day, and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) seems poised to be gutted. The Washington Post outlined the winners and losers in the aftermath of the election and highlighted the confusion among companies as they try to understand what a repeal of President Barack Obama’s healthcare law will actually mean for business.

Women are taking to social media to encourage each other to get to the gynecologist and enjoy access to contraceptives as guaranteed under Obamacare while they still can. Women are concerned that birth control costs will increase and access to Planned Parenthood limited under the next administration, reported USA TODAY. In particular, the intrauterine device is being promoted because it can last between 3 and 12 years, is heavily subsidized or free under the ACA, and once it is implanted the only additional costs or maintenance come if there are complications or the device is removed.