MPR news and documentary programming highlighting medical and political commentary on the changing landscape of American healthcare. Minnesota is not only home to Mayo Clinic, UCare, and Hazelden, it has been at the forefront of the health discussion, from the state’s historic tobacco settlement case to the idea of prepaid health plans (later known as HMOs).
January 13, 1997 - A Voices of Minnesota interview with Tom Webber, Director of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and South Dakota. Webber discusses his work on women's reproductive health issues. Also, a recorded interview with Margaret Atwood, author of "Alias Grace".
January 22, 1997 - MPR's Lorna Benson reports that founders of a new Center for Cross-Cultural Health are hoping to minimize medical anxieties by better preparing Minnesota health care workers trying to deal with a cultural curveball.
April 28, 1997 - A Voices of Minnesota with Dr. Virginia Lupo of the Hennepin County Medical Center, a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology. An interview with the author of "Becoming the Parent You Want to Be"... early childhood educator Janice Keyser, who says parents need to follow their own values, rather than those found in a book. Also, Sasha Aslanian's "Odd Job" segment with a dialect coach.
June 2, 1997 - As part of the “Voices of Minnesota" series, this program features two health related interviews. MPR’s John Biewen speaks with Dr. Ron Cranford of the Hennepin County Medical Center. Cranford is an ethicist and end-of-life specialist. Infertility specialist. MPR’s Stephanie Curtis speaks with Dr. Robert Jansen, author of "Overcoming Infertiity: A Compassionate Resource for Getting Pregnant." Program ends with MPR’s Brent Wolfe presenting a feature on new carousel in Kellogg, Minnesota.
September 16, 1997 - Mainstreet Radio’s Mark Steil reports on workers at Oak Hills Living Center, a New Ulm nursing home in southwest Minnesota, who unionized several years ago and currently are locked in a bitter strike with management. They want higher pay, but government Medicaid policies and other regulations make that a difficult goal to reach.
November 19, 1997 - Tomorrow is "D-Day". Midday discusses smoking, ways to quit, and who should pay for it. Guests: Dr. Rob Jeddeloh, Medical Director of Allina Health System, and Mary Hauge, RN, Chair of the Tobacco Control Committee of the American Cancer Society of MN. Listeners call in with questions.
March 12, 1998 - MINNESOTA'S LARGEST HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS - HEALTH PARTNERS AND MEDICA - HAVE ANNOUNCED THEY ARE SUING THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY IN AN EFFORT TO RECOVER MONEY SPENT TREATING SMOKING-RELATED ILLNESSES. THE NEW LAWSUIT IS INDEPENDENT OF THE CASE NOW BEING HEARD IN SAINT PAUL, BUT CONTAINS THE SAME CONSUMER FRAUD ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY THE STATE OF MINNESOTA AND BLUE CROSS/BLUE SHIELD. MINNESOTA PUBLIC RADIO'S WILLIAM WILCOXEN REPORTS.
May 28, 1998 - Twin Cities United Healthcare announced it is merging with another major national health care firm, Kentucky-based Humana. Officials with the companies say the 5 and a half billion dollar deal will result in an unspecified number of jobs cuts. The company will be based in Minnesota, and retain the United Healthcare name, but observers say it's unlikely to have much affect on consumers or the health care industry in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
May 29, 1998 - Senator Paul Wellstone is definitely campaigning for health care reform and possibly for President. Wellstone has introduced a bill in the Senate that would provide health coverage for all Americans. He has been traveling around the country talking about his proposal.
December 24, 1998 - Mainstreet Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports on Wings of Mercy, a program based in St. Cloud that assists with the challenges of rural Minnesotans in finding medical care. A group of amateur pilots volunteer their time to fly rural low-income patients to hospitals in larger cities...and they do all their work for free.