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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September 24, 2001 - Dr. John Christianson is the director of the Carlson School's Center for the Study of Healthcare Management. Dr. Christianson says he doubts the changes brought by the Attorney General's audit will have much of an effect on the costs of health care. He says there are bigger factors influencing the growth of consumer health care costs.
October 29, 2001 - A legislative committee holds a hearing tomorrow on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health System. Hatch's year-long investigation found the health care company overspent millions on administrative costs and wasted millions more on executive perks. But as lawmakers begin their inquiry into Hatch's findings, employers and workers say they are more concerned with rising health insurance rates. The state health department says premiums increased for five consecutive years in 2000. Last year's increase was 16 percent. Some health care experts say if the upward trend continues employers may look for alternatives to managed care or stop offering health insurance altogether. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has the first installment in our series, "Managing Managed Care."
October 30, 2001 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports that the chairman of the state Senate Finance Committee is calling on state agencies to get tougher with the state's health care providers. The committee held a hearing on Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit of Allina Health Systems.
December 20, 2001 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on a legislative commission vote on the divisive issue of same-sex domestic partner benefits. The panel voted 7-to-5 to let the House and Senate decide for themselves whether to provide coverage for the same-sex partners of legislators and their staffs. The discussion foreshadows a larger debate in the upcoming session, with some lawmakers saying they'll vote to reject two union contracts that include the coverage.
December 26, 2001 - Mainstreet Radio’s Dan Gunderson reports on a pilot project on White Earth Reservation that is trying to reduce the effects of diabetes by bringing back a diet of traditional food.
February 13, 2002 - Allina Hospitals and Clinics lost more than $70 million dollars last year. 2001 was a time of investigations and major changes for the health care provider. Allina split with its health insurance partner "Medica" in response to a Minnesota Attorney General's office probe into corporate expenses. There were also millions of dollars in costs associated with alledged Medicare fraud. Allina says much of last year's losses amount to one time charges which have now been written off its books. The non profit's new CEO is projecting much better performance this year. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark reports...
March 6, 2002 - Medica health plan is reportedly considering capping premiums for almost all of its health plan members. The StarTribune reports the company had a good financial year and wants to pass the good fortune on to consumers. A Medica spokesperson declined to discuss what options the company is considering. Medica and Attorney General Mike Hatch will hold a press conference tomorrow to discuss the company's finances. Last year, Medica split from Allina Hospitals and Clinics, after Hatch began investigating lavish company expenses. Medica officials told the paper they've instituted aggressive cost cuts. The company could be reaching the point where it has more in reserves than the non-profit is allowed under state law. Healthcare consultant Allan Baumgarten says he's not surprised Medica is so profitable:
May 7, 2002 - When you go to the hospital you just assume doctors and nurses will have the equipment they need; simple things like bandages, stitches and catheters. There all packaged in boxes. But sometimes nurses don't use the whole box. The surplus items, still wrapped are tossed in the trash. In third world countries that trash could be a life saver. In Fargo-Moorhead a group of volunteers have created "HERO". It's the Healthcare Equipment Recycling Organization. Mainstreet Radios Bob Reha reports.
August 30, 2002 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on Minnesota U.S. Senate debate held at the Minnesota State Fair. Segment includes clips from the four candidates as they debated topics including healthcare, taxes, and the war with Iraq, amongst others.
November 21, 2002 - A University of Minnesota study shows older adults who exercise can significantly reduce their medical bills. Medicare patients 65 and older who exercised regularly spent almost five thousand dollars less on healthcare over a five year period than their healthy but sedentary peers. The people who exercised were hospitalized less and made fewer trips to the doctor. Study author Dr. Russel Luepker says it doesn't take much exercise to reduce costs: