How the Election Could Affect Health Care and Drug Policy

November 05, 2020

How the Election Could Affect Health Care and Drug Policy

View all Scientific American publications.

November 04, 2020

Dear Reader,

As expected, due to the record number of mail-in ballots that still need to be counted, the winner of the presidency is unclear after Election Day. Consequently, the future of the nation’s health system remains uncertain. But who controls the White House is only part of the election’s impact on health policy. Several key health issues are on the ballot both directly and indirectly in many states. Our lead story today explains a few.

Sunya Bhutta, Senior Editor, Audience Engagement
@sunyaaa

Policy & Ethics

How the Election Could Affect Health Care and Drug Policy

The outcome could have important consequences for Medicaid, abortion access, and legalization of marijuana and other drugs

By Julie Rovner,Kaiser Health News

Policy & Ethics

U.S. Exits Paris Climate Accord after Trump Stalls Global Warming Action for Four Years

State-level efforts and a growing renewables market have mitigated federal emissions policy rollbacks—but Trump’s climate impact could be long-lasting

By Jim Daley

Climate

A Woman Warned GM about Warming, But Men Didn't Listen

Ruth Reck did pioneering climate change research at the automotive giant, where she says she faced sexism

By Maxine Joselow,E&E News

Behavior & Society

How Weight Bias May Affect Dogs and Their Owners

Dog and owner body weight can influence veterinarians’ perceptions

By Rebecca L. Pearl

Conservation

The Problem with Honey Bees

They’re important for agriculture, but they’re not so good for the environment

By Alison McAfee

Environment

Science Sound(E)scapes: Amazon Pink River Dolphins

Need a break from politics and the pandemic? You’re probably not in the Amazon rain forest right now, but we can take you there in audio. Today, in part one of our three-part audio sound escape, we listen to dolphins hunting among the trees.

By Jeffery DelViscio,Timothy Weaver | 09:41

Evolution

Frog Vocals Lead to Small Preference

The concave-eared torrent frog's unusual ear anatomy lets it hear high-frequency calls, which gives a mating advantage to the littler males that sing soprano.

By Jason G. Goldman | 03:33

FROM THE STORE

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