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Antiabortion activists, already experiencing a difficult year, say their movement faces a pivotal moment as another Democrat who staunchly supports abortion rights appears likely to occupy the White House. First came the death of Antonin Scalia, an ardent ally on the Supreme Court. Then came a stinging defeat before the justices over a sweeping Texas law regulating abortion providers. Now, activists are afraid that Hillary Clinton is headed to victory — and angry that Donald Trump has done his share, they say, to set back a movement that has strived to show sensitivity toward women. (Somashekhar and Zezima, 10/21)

Years before Sen. Bernie Sanders touted single-payer healthcare as a core issue in his insurgent presidential campaign, a Democratic state lawmaker in Colorado was perennially introducing legislation for a single-payer system in the state. That legislation, backed by state Sen. Irene Aguilar, a physician, never gained much traction. But last year, its supporters collected more than 150,000 signatures to bring the plan before voters directly on the Nov. 8 ballot. (Livingston, 10/22)

Health care is dominating political campaigns in Minnesota as the election draws nearer. Lawmakers in both parties say they’re hearing from lots of voters about health care costs and access as they knock on doors around the state. “We were hearing from too many Minnesotans that this is just too big a burden for them,” said Senate Majority Leader Tom Bakk, DFL-Cook, while his Republican counterpart Sen. David Hann of Eden Prairie said the issue of health care is “blowing up all over the state.” That means lawmakers are scrambling to convince voters that they’re taking the problem seriously — and that the other side isn’t. (Stassen-Berger, 10/23)