March 20, 2001 - The Senate Health and Family Security Committee last night voted 6-to-3 in favor of a bill that would force drug manufacturers to offer Minnesotans the same discounts they offer HMO's, the state and other bulk purchasers. Consumer rights groups, seniors and advocates for low income Minnesotans say the bill would provide a great benefit for those who need discounts but others say the bill is unconstitutional. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 22, 2001 - Minnesota's Health Department says the state's tuberculosis rate is rising even though the national rate is on the decline. 178 cases were diagnosed in 1999, the second largest number of cases in the past 20 years. The health department says a large number of the cases involve immigrants from countries don't have the ability to diagnose and treat the disease. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 22, 2001 - A powerful DFL lawmaker says he will hold a hearing on the spending practices of Allina Health System, one of the state's biggest health care firms. The move by Senator Doug Johnson comes a day after State attorney general Mike Hatch sued Allina seeking more financial documents from the non-profit. Hatch alleges the organization spent millions of dollars on questionable items ranging from golfing trips to lobbying and consulting fees. Allina defends its adminstrative expenses and says the Attorney General's report is riddled with inaccuracies. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
March 22, 2001 - A woman is interviewed about the different uses for herbs from Minnesota, predominantly ginseng, and how you can buy them.
March 26, 2001 - The state's largest non-profit, which helps children who have autism or mental retardation, wants to shorten its waiting list by expanding. Experts say Minneapolis-based Fraser offers some of the most comprehensive programs in the country for children with mental disabilities, but waits of a year to get Fraser services are common. The organization is raising money to build a center officials say will shorten the delays.
March 27, 2001 - Jackie Schwietz is from Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life. She says that the bill sounds completely one-sided, allowing citizens to only have one viewpoint on a license plate.
March 27, 2001 - The outbreak of two livestock diseases in Europe is heightening awareness in beef producers in the US. The US Department of Agriculture has introduced stringent efforts to keep both foot and mouth disease and madcow disease out of the country. But some epidemiologists and agriculture experts say despite the precautions it's possible that cases can occur in Minnesota. In the new global economy, health experts say a virus is only a plane ride away. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
March 27, 2001 - A bill that would extend health insurance to virtually every uninsured child in Minnesota has cleared a state Senate committee. The proposal would offer coverage to the estimated 48-thousand children who now go without insurance. Estimates suggest the plan would cost the state between 35 and 60 million dollars annually. Jim Koppel is the Director of the Children's Defense Fund. He says the money would be well spent:
March 27, 2001 - Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life supports the bill to create a "Choose Life" license plate for vehicles. Money from the plates would assist women who made an adoption plan. Catholic charities and New Horizons have helped back this concept. The idea came from Florida.
March 28, 2001 -