December 31, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is looking to protect the supply of cheap Canadian prescription drugs. He's has written to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin urging him to continue allowing re-importation of prescription drugs. Recent news reports suggest that Martin's health cabinet wants to block the current system. But Canadian pharmacies and others who support reimportation say they'll pursue other measures to keep the business going. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 3, 2005 - Voices of Minnesota talks business. Voices of Minnesota goes in-depth with two of the state's most prominent business leaders: Marilyn Carlson Nelson, the head of Carlson Companies, and Dr. Hugh Smith, the chair of the Mayo Clinic's board of governors in Rochester.
January 26, 2005 - In the weeks leading up to his budget announcement, Governor Pawlenty spoke often of his desire to rein in spending on health care programs. And in doing so, he started referring to the state's subsidized health insurance programs as "welfare health care." In the plan released yesterday (tues), Pawlenty recommended limiting eligibility for MinnesotaCare, a state subsidized health insurance program for the working poor. Those who are on the program and advocate on behalf of people with low incomes call Pawlenty's "welfare" characterization unfortunate and wrong. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 28, 2005 - MPR’s Jeff Horwich interviews Dr. Harry Hull, a state epidemiologist, about the State Department temporarily Hmong resettlement after a case of Tuberculosis was identified in one refugee already in Minnesota. Four more refugees are suspected of having TB and are undergoing more testing.
February 16, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty today encouraged Congress to permit national expansion of a state program that allows Minnesota citizens and state employees to import drugs from Canadian mail order pharmacies at a discount. Testifying before a Senate subcommittee in Washington, Pawlenty said Minnesota's program has been safe and successful. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports on how many people are using the website and what Pawlenty would do if the federal government would shut such sites down.
March 8, 2005 - White Earth has become the first reservation in the country to ban the introduction or growth of genetically modified wild rice seeds. Now, some White Earth Band members want to take it one step further. They want the Legislature to ban genetically modified wild rice statewide. Wild rice experts with the University of Minnesota, however, say the tribe's worries are unwarranted. The lakes and rivers on the White Earth Indian Reservation in northwest Minnesota are an ideal habitat for wild rice, and an important cultural food to the Ojibwe people.
March 10, 2005 - Researchers at the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy found 31-percent of non-English speaking patients don't follow medication instructions . With a growing immigrant population in Minnesota the study has doctors and pharmacists wondering how to improve adherence to doctor's orders. Medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg discusses the study.
March 14, 2005 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. congressman Keith Ellison, who discusses a bill introduced that would double the level of protection provided to Minnesota children to prevent lead poisoning. DFLer Keith Ellison represents North Minneapolis in the Minnesota House of Representatives.
April 28, 2005 - MPR’s Tom Crann interviews Dr. Jon Hallberg about the intersection of poetry and medicine. Segment includes Halberg reading a William Carlos Williams poem. Williams, sustained his medical practice throughout his writing career.
May 7, 2005 - MPR’s Dan Olson interviews Ric Jost, a disabled veteran who is competing in the 2005 National Veterans Wheelchair Games held in Minnesota. Jost shares how the games help build the self-confidence to cope with his disability. The event is the 25th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, but the first held in Minnesota.