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).
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July 20, 2001 - Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit and investigation of Allina Health System has prompted some concern by other non-profit health care organizations in the state and non-profit organizations overall. Under Minnesota law, the attorney general has the right to investigate any charities or non-profits that operate in the state. Legal experts say such investigations are rare, but many non-profits say Hatch's audit of Allina may change the way they do business. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports:
July 20, 2001 - Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health System has prompted some concern by other non-profit health care organizations in the state and non-profit organizations overall. Allina announced yesterday it will split off it's Medica HMO from its hospitals and clinics. Under Minnesota law, the attorney general has the right to investigate any charities or non-profits that operate in the state. Legal experts say such investigations are rare, but many non-profits say Hatch's audit of Allina may change the way they do business. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
July 25, 2001 - Last week's announcement that Allina Health System will split its health plan, Medica, from its hospitals and clinics has some state officials calling for a closer look at the state's health care system. In the early nineties, the government began encouraging consolidation of health care services. Some observers say it is time to revive that policy discussion. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 9, 2001 - Nationwide there may be an economic slowdown, but according to the state Department of Economic Security, Minnesota still has lots of open jobs. Minnesota employers were surveyed from April to June about their hiring needs. While the state has lost many high-tech and manufacturing jobs recently, big vacancies still exist in healthcare and retail. Sung Won Sohn, Chief Economist with Wells Fargo says despite the softening economy, Minnesota consumers continue to spend. He says retailers have been trying for years to build up their workforce, but in general, the jobs have limited appeal.
August 10, 2001 - Allina Health System has named a new board of directors for its hospitals and clinics. The move means the group's 17 hospitals and 47 clinics are now legally separate from its HMO, Medica. The shakeup follows months of pressure from Attorney General Mike Hatch, who has alleged Allina executives mis-spent millions of dollars on excessive consulting fees, administrative expenses, and executive perks. Hatch says he's winding up his audit of the big health group, and will make the report public by Labor Day. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
August 16, 2001 - There's one Minnesota politician who's attracted more media coverage than Governor Ventura this summer - Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch has been in the news recently for his investigation of Allina Health System, and throughout his term, has gotten attention for focusing on health care, privacy and consumer issues. Political observers say Hatch would be smart to seek a second term next year, although the Democrat has long sought the office across the hall - the one occupied by Jesse Ventura. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
August 27, 2001 -
September 5, 2001 - Healthcare premiums increased more than sixteen percent last year, according to a survey released today by the state health department. Its the third sharp jump in as many years and puts the price of premiums at their highest point in a decade. Health Commissioner Jan Malcolm says part of the problem lies with consumers:
September 5, 2001 - The church needs to provide health resources to African Americans in order to help bring illnesses and unplanned pregnancies down.
September 7, 2001 - New board members for both Allina's Hospitals and Clinics and the Medica HMO say they're shocked at the spending practices of the companies' out-going management. Attorney General Mike Hatch has released another portion of his audit of Allina, this part covering travel and entertainment expenses. Hatch has been investigating the company since last year and says executives spent millions of dollars unrelated to health care. However, some former board members say many of the health care expenditures were warranted. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...