October 12, 2001 - Middle Eastern patients visiting the Mayo Clinic left Rochester earlier than usual this year following the events of September 11th. While typically, Mayo's international clientele schedule their medical stays during the summer months, this year many left abruptly, hurrying through their final courses of treatment to get home before the outbreak of war. While Mayo officials maintain their losses if any, are small, others in Rochester's service industries say the effects are evident in their bottom line. Minnesota Public Radio's Erin Galbally reports:
October 22, 2001 -
October 25, 2001 - Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Pawlenty is proposing a new funding source to jump-start road and bridge construction. Pawlenty -- who serves as House Majority Leader -- wants to sell the state's claim to 25 years' worth of tobacco settlement claims for an upfront price of 1-point-5 billion dollars. He says the proceeds would accelerate transportation projects statewide. But critics say the move would divert funds from other state needs. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports.
October 29, 2001 - A legislative committee holds a hearing tomorrow on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health System. Hatch's year-long investigation found the health care company overspent millions on administrative costs and wasted millions more on executive perks. But as lawmakers begin their inquiry into Hatch's findings, employers and workers say they are more concerned with rising health insurance rates. The state health department says premiums increased for five consecutive years in 2000. Last year's increase was 16 percent. Some health care experts say if the upward trend continues employers may look for alternatives to managed care or stop offering health insurance altogether. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has the first installment in our series, "Managing Managed Care."
October 29, 2001 - Postal workers want more help financially and more help physically scanning for anthrax.
October 30, 2001 - The University of Minnesota withdrew from the state workers insurance plan and now offers four different insurance plans.
October 30, 2001 - University of Florida professor and students created the first glow-in-the-dark bikes that can be seen from 600-feet.
October 30, 2001 - A new company will bring high-tech science to Sioux Falls. Hematech labs will produce antibodies in cattle aimed at fighting human illnesses. The Connecticut company will employ 20 scientists and technicians beginning early next year. There could be as many as 4-hundred employees within a few years. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
October 30, 2001 - Anthrax and postal workers.
October 30, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee is calling on state agencies to get tougher with the state's health care providers. The committee held a hearing on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health Systems.