October 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses. Pawlenty says his opposition to exchanges is the reason he declined to send the US Government a state response to questions about exchanges. Three prominent Minnesota health groups secured a copy of the response and sent it anyway. Former GOP senator Dave Durenberger, a health policy expert, says their move was understandable. Pawlenty says a 2008 state analysis of exchanges found they'd be ineffective at reining in costs.
October 8, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty is standing by his decision to ignore a federal request for input on a key piece of health care reform. The Department of Health and Human Services had asked states for their recommendations on "insurance exchanges." These are online marketplaces where consumers can compare and buy health plans. Pawlenty opposes health reform. He said today (Friday) exchanges are big government interfering with the free market. But three years ago, Pawlenty advocated a similar idea. Elizabeth Stawicki reports: During his radio show today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty expanded on why he decided against sending in a Minnesota health department report about health insurance exchanges. He said the best insurance exchange is the free market:
October 9, 2010 - Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses. Pawlenty says his opposition to exchanges is the reason he declined to send the US Government a state response to questions about exchanges. Three prominent Minnesota health groups secured a copy of the response and sent it anyway. Former GOP senator Dave Durenberger, a health policy expert, says their move was understandable. Pawlenty says a 2008 state analysis of exchanges found they'd be ineffective at reining in costs.
November 18, 2010 - Early next year the first baby boomers turn 65. The aging boomers are expected to strain healthcare resources for the next 20 years. One of the most urgent concerns is a looming shortage of nurses to care for the elderly. Ten nursing schools in west central Minnesota want to focus more attention on the nursing shortage. Dan Gunderson reports.
November 24, 2010 - It's been an interesting year for health stories. A huge healthcare reform bill passed Congress... but the debate after the fact seemed to raise more rancor than the discussion leading in. An earthquake kills hundreds of thousands in Haiti... followed by a deadly outbreak of cholera. In the meantime, America's epidemic of obesity has spread to other nations across the globe. But, even with all those challenges and uncertainties, medical analyst Dr. Hallberg says there is still reason to be hopeful when it comes to health and wellness at this customary time of thanksgiving.
December 23, 2010 - Barack Obama signed a landmark healthcare overhaul into law back in March, but throughout the year the measure didn't appear to win the hearts and minds of Americans. Republicans seized on discomfort with the reforms to make significant gains in November's mid-term elections, and many of the Congressional winners have promised to push for repeal. A number of states are also fighting the law in courts. We discuss the reform, and the likelihood it will remain the law of the land. Guest: Dave Durenberger, former U.S. Senator.
December 23, 2010 - Midday’s Gary Eichten talks with former Republican U.S. Senator Dave Durenberger about landmark health care law signed by President Barack Obama earlier in 2010, and the push by some in Congress to already repeal the law. Durenberger also answers listener questions.
January 26, 2011 - President Barack Obama appeared to give a nod to supporters of tort reform last night (Tuesday) during his State of the Union address. Even while defending his health care law, the President said he'd be open to "medical malpractice reform to rein in frivolous lawsuits." In the past Obama has shown some interest in reforming state medical malpractice laws but has stopped short of supporting federal caps on damage awards. But that is what Republicans want. Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Just this week, two Republicans and one Democrat in the US House Judiciary committee introduced what they're calling the HEALTH ACT -- the Help Efficient, Accessible, Low-cost, Timely Healthcare Act of 2011.
January 26, 2011 - Excerpts of the Tea Party's response to President Obama's State of the Union address last night (Tuesday). Minnesota's 6th District Republican Congresswoman, Michele Bachmann, delivered her remarks on behalf of the Tea Party after the Republican Party's official response, delivered by Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan. Obama's policies and actions on taxes, the unemployment rate, gas prices and healthcare are mentioned.
January 27, 2011 - The leaders of seven large Minnesota health plans and hospital groups are floating a plan that would cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the state's Medicaid benefits, while boosting health care revenues from additional taxes on alcohol, tobacco and providers. The organizations say their idea could eliminate nearly a third of the state's $6.2 billion dollar budget shortfall. The proposal, called Minnesota's Healthcare Imperative, is already drawing fire from groups who would be affected by the suggested cuts and increased taxes. Lorna Benson reports.