sam brinton is hopeful that ultimately the ban will be lifted. why is your blood safe? >> in the end, it's safe because i'm safe. i make decisions about my sexual desires and my sexual activities from a place of intelligence. we recognize that risks exist. no person that is giving blood doesn't think that risk exists. we just want it to be managed in a way that is respectful. >> stewart: read about one man who's remaining celibate for a year so he can donate blood and to draw attention to the ban. go to our website, www.pbs.org/newshour. >> stewart: since the affordable healthcare act, often called obamacare, took effect three years ago, more than 20 million more americans have obtained health coverage-- a majority of them through federal and state exchanges with insurance companies. but this week one of the nation's largest private insurers, aetna, decided to drop out next year in 11 of the 15 states where it offers plans. united health group and humana have made similar market exits. in this map published today, th" new york times" shows in 2017, 17% of americans elig

like prima, george brinton mcclellan was one of lincoln's very first points to the grade of major general in may, 1861. by the end of 1862, neither of those men commanded any troops at all. lincoln had relieved them of command. the same day fremont and more: made major generals william sherman was commissioned as colonel, grant received his first command as a kernel two months later in july, 1861. by 1865, sherman and grants-- spoiler alert, they were at the very top of the united states army command. they rose from obscurity to national in international fame this -- i've a bit of bonus material. i think this graphically illustrates the trajectory of their career. this is fremont and more: in 1861 and this is sherman and grant in 1865. you know the old adage, behind every great man there's a great woman. but, how exactly does that work and what about the not so great men of history and the women behind them. even now, it seems to me more than mere coincidence that when i found these two matching sets of generals i found two sets of wives who shared some important characteristics also. tod

food and drug administration at the start of the aids epidemic, requires gay and bisexual men like brintonrm they've abstained from sex with men for a whole year before giving blood. >> i went to go try to give blood and again was told, "no." you're being told, "no, your blood is not worthy." >> reporter: do you believe that the f.d.a.'s policy is discriminatory? >> i don't believe it's discriminatory, because i believe it's not a policy that's based on a sexual orientation;' it's based on keeping the blood supply safe. >> woodruff: that's tomorrow night on pbs newshour weekend. and we'll be back, right here, on monday with a look at a group that runs towards air strikes in order to save lives in syria. that's the newshour for tonight. i'm judy woodruff. have a great weekend. thank you and good night. >> major funding for the pbs newshour has been provided by: lincoln financial is committed to helping you take charge of your future. >> and the william and flora hewlett foundation, helping people build immeasurably bettel lives. >> and with the ongoing support of these institutions >> this