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Republicans who support abortion rights are already an endangered species. But they’re likely to become nearly extinct next year in a political winnowing that is knocking off moderates on both sides — and turning the politics of abortion even more rancorous. Five Republicans in Congress regularly buck their party by supporting abortion rights. But one of those, Rep. Richard Hanna of New York, is retiring and two more — Rep. Bob Dold and Sen. Mark Kirk, both of Illinois — face uphill races. And the same narrowing is happening on the other side: No more than seven Democrats in Congress regularly vote against abortion rights. (Haberkorn, 11/3)

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) on Wednesday embraced Donald Trump’s call for a special session of Congress to repeal ObamaCare. Ryan, who has at times had a tense relationship with Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, also said repeal of ObamaCare is a reason why Trump should be president. ... Ryan said Republicans would use a process called reconciliation, which would allow a repeal measure to get through the Senate with just a simple majority, rather than the usual 60. (Sullivan, 11/2)

An analysis released Wednesday by Avalere Health, a nonpartisan consulting firm, shows 1.2 million people could gain access to Medicaid if the winners of gubernatorial races in Missouri, North Carolina, and Utah opted to expand it. While governors’ races are happening in 12 states this year, those three states have not expanded the program. (McIntire, 11/2)

For many Missouri health advocates, an increase in the state’s tobacco tax is long overdue. But onlookers might be surprised to hear that tobacco companies are spending a fortune this election year to get one or another increase in that tax passed, while health groups are urging a no vote. What’s going on? The tax increases that the companies want are so low that tobacco researchers say they would have no effect on smokers buying their products — or quitting a dangerous habit. (Smith, 11/3)