June 19, 2009 - Congressional Democrats stumbled out of the starting blocks unveiling their healthcare reform bills today. They're struggling to find ways to pay for insuring the nation's uninsured. The House bill would create a federal plan to compete with private insurers. The Senate's proposal would create non-profit insurance co-ops that provide coverage. But, an advocacy group representing 14-thousand doctors says a "single payer" health insurance program would cover every American without adding costs.
July 7, 2009 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles a woman who shares a lifetime of domestic abuse. It’s a story that is seldom spoken about.
July 23, 2009 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann talks with Democratic U.S. Representative Tim Walz, of Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District, about his and Mayo Clinic’s push for Medicare reform in health bill.
August 5, 2009 - MPR’s Lorna Benson profiles a special little black dog named Batman. 2009 marks the one year anniversary of cancer treatment, a major milestone for the dog and University of Minnesota's College of Veterinary Medicine. In 2008, University researchers began an experimental procedure to save Batman from an aggressive brain tumor that threatened to kill him within a month.
August 19, 2009 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz is holding a town meeting on health care reform in Mankato. In advance of that meeting, he joins Midday to talk about healthcare reform and other issues facing Congress.
August 21, 2009 - MPR’s Jess Mador reports on how the health care debate continues to be contentious, with town hall meetings across the country devolving into shouting matches. Things were just as noisy but slightly more polite in Mankato, where hundreds of people packed a high school auditorium to participate in a town hall forum on health care sponsored by Congressman Tim Walz.
September 3, 2009 - Well, the State Fair put its H1N1 flu action plan to work today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health, schools and employers need to be similarly ready for the virus as the fall flu season takes hold. So, we asked our regular medical analyst, Dr. Jon Hallberg, to tell us what we all should prepare for this fall when it comes to H1N1 — and the seasonal flu.
September 7, 2009 - MPR’s Ambar Espinoza reports on a GOP State Fair Forum. The Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed various topics, including healthcare, taxes, and education.
September 9, 2009 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer chats via phone with Minnesota DFL Congressman about his latest visit to Afghanistan and the war effort there. Walz also discusses President Obama’s upcoming speech on healthcare debate.
September 9, 2009 - Tonight at 7:00, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress about his health care reform proposal. Obama is promising to offer more details about his vision for overhauling the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system. Minnesota Public Radio News will provide live coverage of the address. One of the people who will be in the audience tonight in Washington is Jeffrey Korsmo, the Executive Director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. He was invited to attend the speech by DFL Congressman Tim Walz. Korsmo says he's eager to hear more about Obama's plan. That is Jeffrey Korsmo, Executive Director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. He will be in the Capitol tonight when President Obama makes his health care reform speech.