Axios

Scientists successfully used stem cell and gene therapy to replace 80% of the skin of a 7-year-old boy affected by an incurable genetic skin disease, they report Wednesday in Nature.

Why this matters: This is the first time researchers have been able to regenerate virtually the entire epidermis and also provides a blueprint for other stem cell and gene therapies. And, while the scientists cautioned more testing is needed to see if this could be used for the roughly 500,000 people worldwide with different forms of this particular disease, they said this experiment was a success.

Today there are elections and ballot questions around the country that could be worth a watch. Here's what you need to know:

1. Virginia: Gubernatorial. Democrat Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Republican Ed Gillespie have pulled in the big wigs from lawmakers to former Presidents to campaign for this bellwether election. Check out our coverage and results as they come in.

2. Virginia: Attorney General. Democrat Incumbent Mark Herring refused to back the state's ban against same sex marriage, elevating the issue to the Supreme Court and effectively legalizing same sex marriage nationwide, and he's also challenged Trump's travel ban. He's facing a challenge from GOPer John Adams in a near neck-and-neck race.

Ohio voters will decide today whether they want to cap how much state-run health programs will pay for prescription drugs. A ballot initiative in the state would prohibit Ohio agencies from paying any more for drugs than the Veterans Affairs system pays. A similar proposition in California failed in 2016.

Why it matters: High drug costs are one of the most omnipresent political issues, and the public has craved solutions for a long time. There's been debate, and confusion, over whether Ohio's measure would lower drug costs. The pharmaceutical industry deeply opposes it and built up a $58 million war chest to bring it down.

Blue Cross Blue Shield health insurance companies have more than quintupled their net profits in the first half of this year compared with the same six months of 2016, according to an analysis of financial records by Fitch Ratings.

The bottom line: We reported over the summer that the Blues, which have the most exposure to the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, are making a lot of money despite the Trump administration's threats and actions against the ACA. Why are profits still growing for the Blues? They raised premiums a lot, people are not going to the doctor or hospital as much, and the federal government modified some enrollment policies to the benefit of insurers.