December 10, 2004 - MPR’s David Molpus interviews Cheryl Thomas, who runs Women's Human Rights Program at the Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights. Thomas discusses the domestic violence facing women in immigrant communities here in Minnesota.
December 10, 2004 -
December 13, 2004 - A high profile, national attorney and two Minnesota hospitals were in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis today to argue how much charity care a non-profit hospital should provide. Plaintiffs across the country have been filing lawsuits against non-profit hospitals for failing to provide an adequate level of charity care to the uninsured and the poor. Allina Hospitals and Clinics and Fairview Health Services say they provide enough care and are asking a judge to dismiss the lawsuit. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 23, 2004 - There's something of a building boom going on with health care facilities around the Twin Cities. HealthPartners, Allina and HealthEast all recently announced major expansion plans. The groups say the construction will help improve care and patient satisfaction. But others worry it will increase health care costs. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 23, 2004 - MPR’s Jim Bickal reports that Joe Mauer faces a much greater risk of developing arthritis at some point in his career after a left knee injury in the second game of his rookie season last year. The Minnesota Twins catcher is back home in St. Paul for the holidays after spending several months in Florida for rehabilitation.
December 31, 2004 - Governor Tim Pawlenty is looking to protect the supply of cheap Canadian prescription drugs. He's has written to Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin urging him to continue allowing re-importation of prescription drugs. Recent news reports suggest that Martin's health cabinet wants to block the current system. But Canadian pharmacies and others who support reimportation say they'll pursue other measures to keep the business going. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 3, 2005 - Voices of Minnesota talks business. Voices of Minnesota goes in-depth with two of the state's most prominent business leaders: Marilyn Carlson Nelson, the head of Carlson Companies, and Dr. Hugh Smith, the chair of the Mayo Clinic's board of governors in Rochester.
January 26, 2005 - In the weeks leading up to his budget announcement, Governor Pawlenty spoke often of his desire to rein in spending on health care programs. And in doing so, he started referring to the state's subsidized health insurance programs as "welfare health care." In the plan released yesterday (tues), Pawlenty recommended limiting eligibility for MinnesotaCare, a state subsidized health insurance program for the working poor. Those who are on the program and advocate on behalf of people with low incomes call Pawlenty's "welfare" characterization unfortunate and wrong. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 28, 2005 - MPR’s Jeff Horwich interviews Dr. Harry Hull, a state epidemiologist, about the State Department temporarily Hmong resettlement after a case of Tuberculosis was identified in one refugee already in Minnesota. Four more refugees are suspected of having TB and are undergoing more testing.
February 16, 2005 - Governor Pawlenty today encouraged Congress to permit national expansion of a state program that allows Minnesota citizens and state employees to import drugs from Canadian mail order pharmacies at a discount. Testifying before a Senate subcommittee in Washington, Pawlenty said Minnesota's program has been safe and successful. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports on how many people are using the website and what Pawlenty would do if the federal government would shut such sites down.