January 2, 2007 - In two days Democrat Amy Klobuchar will be sworn into the Senate and fellow DFL-er Mark Dayton will return to private life. Six years ago Dayton spent nearly $12 million of his own fortune to get elected to the Senate, where he had hoped he could improve life for regular Americans. But he leaves Washington frustrated and disappointed. MPR's Mark Zdechlik reports on Dayton’s tenure.
January 4, 2007 - As three new members of the House from Minnesotan are to be sworn into office, MPR’s Mark Zdechlik presents this profile on them. The three will bring diverse backgrounds and political ideologies to Congress…but Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, and Michelle Bachman all say they'll keep the interests of Minnesotans in the forefront as they begin their careers in Congress.
January 11, 2007 - A day after Senate Democrats touted their plan to cover to more uninsured Minnesotans, Governor Pawlenty unveiled his health care agenda for the session. Like the Democrats, the Governor proposes covering more uninsured people. But Pawlenty's approach to the problem is quite different. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
January 17, 2007 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews Dr. Jon Hallberg, a physician in family medicine at the University of Minnesota, about health issues found in orchestral musicians. Hallberg travels with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as the tour physician on their European tour.
January 23, 2007 - Later tonight, we'll bring you live coverage of President Bush's seventh State of the Union Address. In the speech, the President is expected to highlight a healthcare plan that would provide Americans with a tax deduction to help cover insurance costs. Some Democrats are already saying the President's plan doesn't do enough to help the nation's 47 million uninsured. Health economists like the University of Minnesota's Steve Parente have been talking about this plan for a while now. We asked him to help explain the anticipated proposal. Parente Directs the Medical Industry Leadership Institute at the Carlson School of Management.
February 5, 2007 - Union janitors and their employers reached a tentative contract averting a possible strike. The 4200 janitors had threatened to walk out unless the new contract included affordable family health care coverage. Union officials say most of their members don't have health insurance because it's too expensive. They say the new contract will make it easier for janitors to obtain healthcare for their families. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports.
February 6, 2007 - Governor Pawlenty is threatening to veto a bill on embryonic stem cell research that hasn't even gotten a hearing in the Legislature yet. The proposal would allow the University of Minnesota to use state funds for embryonic stem cell research. Pawlenty says he backs some forms of stem cell research but also wants some restrictions on the science. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
March 7, 2007 - Minnesota 1st District Representative Tim Walz, a member of the House Veterans Affairs committee, reacts to revelations about the medical care of wounded soldiers in the wake of the Walter Reed Medical Center scandal.
April 4, 2007 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews medical analyst Dr. Jon Hallberg about congestive heart failure, a common ailment…and a common cause of death. Dr. Hallberg explains the dangers of congestive heart failure, and its diagnosis and treatment.
April 9, 2007 - Minnesota 1st District U.S. Representative Tim Walz has made a name for himself in his first 100 days. Insiders say he's become an influential Democratic voice in Washington on veterans and the war in Iraq.