MPR news and documentary programming highlighting medical and political commentary on the changing landscape of American health care. Minnesota is not only home to Mayo Clinic, UCare, and Hazelden, it has been at the forefront of the health discussion, from the state’s historic tobacco settlement case to the idea of prepaid health plans (later known as HMOs).
Please note: Most content related to this topic that is contemporary or created after 2005 can be found on our main content pages of MPR News, YourClassical MPR, The Current, APM Reports, and Marketplace.
January 6, 2000 - MPR’s Lynette Nyman reports on Governor Jesse Ventura’s address to a group of employers, doctors, and health insurance administrators meeting in St. Paul to discuss the problem of rising health costs.
February 29, 2000 - A Mainstreet Radio special about life and death. Host Rachel Reabe broadcasts from The Waterford, a retirement community in Fargo. In this second hour, Reabe talks with medical and legal experts about quality end-of-life care, logistics of expenses, and addressing personal affairs.
September 11, 2000 - Differences in healthcare and farm policy were among the distinctions the four major D-F-L candidates for U.S. Senate drew as they met for one last debate before the primary elections. Onstage Sunday at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, the candidates voiced AGREEMENT on many issues, continuing a trend of consensus in this year's campaign that has made differences between the candidates hazy. Odds are long on Tuesday for the candidate with the least funding, Jerry Janezich, who used the debate to make an impassioned appeal for campaign finance reform. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
September 18, 2000 - Community activists and legislators at the state capitol today (Monday) registered their outrage at the inadequacy of spending on treatment programs for adolescents addicted to drugs and alcohol. They blamed state and federal governments ... as well as health insurance providers ... for what they call the immoral neglect of youth in need of treatment. The hearing was part of a nation-wide campaign focused on substance-abuse services for teens. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.
December 15, 2000 - Congress is expected to vote on and pass a 450 billion dollar legislative package today that includes funding for labor, education and healthcare. Minnesota healthcare workers are watching the bill closely, because it contains 100 million dollars for the state's hospitals. The money is intended to make up for cuts in the medicare program after the 1997 Balanced Budget Act. Healthcare officials say its a step in the right direction, but that they'll need more funding to keep Minnesota's hospitals healthy. Mainstreet Radio's Tim Post has this report.
January 2, 2001 - The new year brings with it a new Congress, a new president, and a new state legislature... all of which will have an affect on Minnesota's health care industry. A number of issues... prescription drug prices, Medicare reform, and a patients bill of rights were major issues during the election. And healthcare costs have gone up sharply the last few years. Joining us to talk about the STATE of the healthcare industry in Minnesota is Dr. John Christianson, director of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School Center for the Study of Healthcare Management.
February 15, 2001 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with DFL State Representative Betty Folliard, a supporter of Displaced Homemaker Program, which a Senate committee has unanimously approved a bill that would continue funding. The 23-year-old program is designed to help stay-at-home moms who are widowed, divorced, or abandoned and Folliard says the program is still necessary.
March 22, 2001 - A powerful DFL lawmaker says he will hold a hearing on the spending practices of Allina Health System, one of the state's biggest health care firms. The move by Senator Doug Johnson comes a day after State attorney general Mike Hatch sued Allina seeking more financial documents from the non-profit. Hatch alleges the organization spent millions of dollars on questionable items ranging from golfing trips to lobbying and consulting fees. Allina defends its adminstrative expenses and says the Attorney General's report is riddled with inaccuracies. Minnesota Public Radio's Bill Catlin reports.
March 30, 2001 - Attorney General Mike Hatch and Allina CEO Gordon Sprenger announced a deal to renew an audit of the health provider's business practices. Last week, Hatch questioned Allina's administrative costs and the company's spending on executive perks. Hatch also claimed the non-profit was delaying the release of important documents. Both sides say the new agreement should expedite the review. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
May 8, 2001 - The Minnesota Senate approved a Health and Human Services funding bill with an abortion provision that Governor Jesse Ventura has promised to veto. Supporters of legalized abortion say funding for essential state services is being held hostage to abortion politics and possibly creating a deadlock or forcing a special session. But abortion foes say their plan to create a 24-hour waiting period for abortions is moderate and deserves the governor's signature.