December 22, 2009 - Medical experts call diabetes a growing epidemic. About one in three people will get the disease. About twenty-four million people already have it. Many people can prevent diabetes with simple lifestyle changes. But Medicare and most private insurance programs don't pay for prevention efforts. Rupa Shenoy reports that gap could be plugged by legislation included in the healthcare reform bill working it's way through the US Senate.
December 31, 2009 - As part of MPR's Youth Radio Series, Youth Radio reporter Mara Kumagai Fink reflects on an event that profoundly changed her family's life…the New Year's Day when her mom fell on a ski trail and was paralyzed from the neck down.
December 31, 2009 - A portion of the billions of dollars in cuts Governer Tim Pawlenty made to balance the budget last summer are now on hold. Ramsey District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled that a $5.3 million food program cut from the budget should be restored. In question are the remaining cuts. Guests Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall): Former minority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He's currently running for governor. Sen. Tarryl Clark (D-St. Cloud): Assistant majority leader in the Minnesota Senate. She is challenging Republican Michele Bachmann for Congress. David Lillehaug: Former Minnesota U.S. attorney. He's an attorney with Fredrikson and Byron. Sen. Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen): Serves on the Minnesota Senate Transportation committee. The toll of grief on a marriage A new debut novel explores the connection between chronic pain and the emotional pain of loss. St. Paul writer Kate Ledger brings her experience observing and writing about doctors to her contemplation of marriage and grief. 10:30 a.m. Guests Kate Ledger: Author of the new novel "Remedies."
January 7, 2010 - MPR’s Rupa Shenoy reports on advocates push for more end-of-life rights for domestic partners. A 2009 bill that would have protected the rights of surviving members of domestic partnerships to make end-of-life decisions did not pass before the legislative session ended, but advocates hope state lawmakers will support it when they return to the capitol.
January 11, 2010 - MPR’s Steven John interviews U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar about China’s use of cadmium in children's items. The chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning Asian manufacturers against the use of cadmium in children's items. That's after lab tests found that Chinese manufacturers were substituting the heavy metal in place of lead in cheap charm bracelets and pendants being sold in this country. Cadmium is known to cause cancer, and, like lead, it can hinder brain development in the children. Senator Amy Klobuchar led the fight to ban lead from toys manufactured in China. She's traveling in southern Minnesota today and we caught up with her.
January 26, 2010 - As part of MPR News series “Civil War Kids: Young Somalis in Minnesota,” MPR’s Laura Yuen reports on how many young Somali-Americans are struggling with mental illness tied to war experiences, and the efforts to provide assistance to them.
February 26, 2010 - A day after President Barack Obama gathered top lawmakers in Washington for a bipartisan summit on health care, former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, chair of the National Institute of Health Policy at University of St. Thomas, assesses the ideas and accomplishments of the all-day session.
March 22, 2010 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz about his ‘yes’ vote on healthcare reform bill, known as the Affordable Care Act. Walz had been targeted by Republicans hoping he would change his mind.
March 22, 2010 - Two national experts explain all the details and broader policies of the health insurance reform bill passed and expected to sign by President Obama.
March 23, 2010 - University of Minnesota family practice physician Dr. Jon Hallberg joins Midday in the studio to talk about medical issues in the news. Guest: Dr. Jon Hallberg: Family practice physician, Mill City Clinic. Assistant professor of family medicine, University of Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio medical commentator. Gary Eichten hosts.