February 23, 2001 -
February 27, 2001 - President Bush will address a joint session of Congress tonight. In the first major policy speech of his presidency, Bush is expected lay out plans for a one-point-six trillion dollar tax cut. He will also propose funding increases for education, the military and Medicare. We asked two Minnesota Congressmen for a preview of the President's speech. Eighth district Democrat James Oberstar says he doesn't think the President's proposal is fiscally sound:
February 27, 2001 - A bipartisan group of lawmakers wants to enact a "patient's bill of rights" during this year's session. The lawmakers say the measure would ensure HMO's are held accountable when a patient is denied care. Last year, a similar measure passed the DFL controlled senate but failed in the Republican house. Supporters say they are confident the legislation has a better chance of passage this year since voters made it an issue in the last political campaign. But opponents say consumers won't back the bill once they realize how much it could cost. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports..
March 5, 2001 -
March 5, 2001 - Using the web to fight world poverty. Internet should be able to encourage Americans to be aware and care about world poverty.
March 6, 2001 -
March 8, 2001 - In Sauk Rapids, there is a big debate about how meat, especially beef, should be given to consumers.
March 9, 2001 - President George Bush continued his tax cut roadshow today the nation's top political leaders showed a bipartisan spirit at a Sioux Falls clinic - before the tax bickering began. Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports:
March 12, 2001 - A state task force has recommended that Minnesota shift its reliance on nursing homes toward less costly assisted living alternatives. Forty-thousand Minnesotans now live in nursing homes even though state officials say many could be living on their own with some assistance. This legislative session, Governor Ventura and the Legislature are working on ways to prepare the long-term care system for the state's retiring baby-boomers. Over the next three days, we'll examine Minnesota's long-term care system in our series "A Question of Dignity." Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports on the state's existing options...
March 13, 2001 - The state's five largest HMO's say they will offer all the same standard treatments and prevention efforts for 50 common ailments like breast cancer and diabetes. The agreement marks the first time all of the major health plans in a state will endorse a set of guidelines to make patient care better and more cost effective. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...