June 22, 2001 - This week Mainstreet Radio has been examining the challenges facing rural areas as the population ages. Healthcare is a major issue, and in many rural areas the care available through the Veterans Administration is a mainstay. When the men and women who were called to serve joined the armed services they were promised medical care for life. But as veterans age and medical costs skyrocket, how that promise is fulfilled is changing. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports. {
June 26, 2001 - The Minnesota Department of Human Services is sending out notices to people who receive state health care benefits informing them that payments for some services will be delayed if the government shuts down. That means people who receive Minnesota Care, Medical Assistance, or General Assistance Medical Care could find their doctors won't be paid by the state. Lawmakers are still meeting at the capitol, but have lots of work to do in order to reach a budget agreement in time to prevent a shutdown. Michael O'Keefe is the Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Services. He's on the line now.
June 26, 2001 -
June 26, 2001 - Thirteen hundred and fifty nurses at two Fairview hospitals in the Twin Cities are headed back to work after ratifying a new contract yesterday. (MONDAY) While the Twin Cities nurses' strike lasted 23 days, a group of nurses in Alexandria has been on strike for nearly two years. 23 licensed practical nurses walked off the job at the Alexandria Clinic in September of 1999, they are still on strike and their labor dispute could continue for years. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post reports.
June 27, 2001 - Patient groups, right to life advocates and researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic are anxiously waiting for a decision by President Bush regarding the public funding of embryonic stem cell research. The controversial procedure has been hailed by scientists as a way of curing diseases like diabetes and parkinsons. Opponents say the procedure is immoral and unethical because scientists need to destroy a fertilized egg to isolate the precious cells. They say a similar procedure taking similar cells from adults will be just as useful. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
June 27, 2001 - A White House spokesman says President Bush is ready to compromise but wants some limits on the right of patients to sue. President Bush is meeting with House Republicans this afternoon. South Dakota Senator Tom Daschle says the Senate's version of the Patient Bill of Rights is five years of compromise and he's determined to pass the legislation before adjourning for summer recess. Daschle is using his new authority as Senate majority leader to acknowledge his home state roots, while adding an intense layer of political arm twisting to his national constituency. Minnesota Public Radio's Cara Hetland attended a round table discussion between South Dakota doctors and the state's most powerful leader.
June 28, 2001 - With the clock still ticking toward a partial government shutdown, House and Senate negotiators reached agreement on an eight-point-seven Billion dollar funding bill for K-12 education early this morning. The bill would increase spending for schools by slightly more than the inflation rate for each of the next two years. It also contains a provison designed to ensure that school districts base their teacher contracts on the actual amount of money they receive from the state. Meanwhile, the House and Senate are scheduled to vote on a major property tax overhaul later today. But obstacles remain in other areas of the state's two-year budget. Lawmakers say it will take at least another day before they can complete their work. Administration officials say that brings the state uncomfortably close to a shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
June 29, 2001 - With time running out to avoid a partial government shutdown, a House-Senate working group trying to put together a transportation funding bill broke off talks without an agreement at 4:30 this morning. The two sides plan to get back together later this morning after they accused each other of breaking earlier deals. Meanwhile, lawmakers working on the state government bill are negotiating behind closed doors and expect the full working group to take up the bill later today. Lawmakers did reach an agreement on another major bill funding health and human services. Both sides say they still hope to pass all the bills by tomorrow night's deadline and avoid the shutdown. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
July 2, 2001 - The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up a new two-year budget early this morning hours before a partial government shutdown would have begun. Lawmakers approved the final three spending bills and a bonding bill for long-term investments. Later today (SATURDAY), Governor Jesse Ventura is scheduled to sign the various spending items along with a tax bill passed earlier in the week. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
July 2, 2001 -