What We’re Reading: OTC Birth Control Pill Coverage; Challenging Arizona Abortion Ban; Medical Students Consider Leaving Studies

Lawmakers Urge Full Coverage of First OTC Birth Control Pill in the US

Democratic lawmakers have called on the Biden administration to ensure that private health insurance plans provide full coverage for the first OTC birth control pill in the United States, known as Opill, which is set to be available in stores and online early next year, according to CNN. While the FDA approved Opill in July, concerns about its retail price have prompted senators to advocate for comprehensive coverage without the need for a prescription, potentially making this contraceptive option more accessible across the United States and ensuring affordability for women, especially in the wake of the Dobbs decision and the ongoing battle over reproductive health rights.

US Appeals Court Revives Challenge to Arizona Law Banning Abortion Due to Genetic Abnormalities

A US appeals court has rekindled a legal challenge to an Arizona law that prohibits abortions based solely on genetic abnormalities of the fetus, according to Reuters. The 3-judge panel of the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that health care providers can proceed with their lawsuit against the state, overturning a prior decision. Although the panel did not address the law's merits, these rulings grant the providers the right to pursue their challenge in court, who argued that the law's vagueness prevented them from discerning when it applied, resulting in their overcompliance with the statute.

1 in 4 US Medical Students Contemplating Leaving Studies, Citing Mental Health Concerns and Study-Life Balance

A recent report has revealed that 25% of medical students in the US are contemplating quitting their studies, according to The Hill. Concerns about mental health, study-life balance, and potential clinician shortages, along with the rise of medical misinformation, have driven these students to consider leaving their programs. Overall, the report found that 12% of medical students worldwide were mulling over quitting their studies. Additionally, 58% of medical and nursing students surveyed saw their current studies as stepping stones to careers in health care that do not involve direct patient care. Cost and the overwhelming volume of information were significant factors contributing to their decisions.