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.
September 9, 2003 - International patient numbers at the Mayo Clinic remain down two years after September 11th. By the end of 2004 a team of Mayo heart specialists will set up shop in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. They'll provide basic health care and screening patients for treatment in the US. Mayo's not the first to bring medical services overseas. Other major healthcare centers report mixed results on their attempts to export care. Mainstreet Radio's Erin Galbally has this report.
September 23, 2003 - The anguish of childhood cancer has been mitigated in recent years by advances in treatment that make many cancers completely curable. However, a study published tomorrow in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that all the news is not good when it comes to long-term prognosis for victims of childhood cancers. Forty-four percent of adult survivors cite moderate to severe problems with anxiety, pain, and mental health. The nationwide study of more than 20,000 individuals is the largest study of long-term survivors of childhood cancer ever undertaken. Les Robison is a professor of pediatrics at the Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota. He was the lead investigator for the study. He says it's important for cancer survivors to be aware of the long-term consequences of successful cancer treatment.
October 1, 2003 - Changes in the state's medical insurance program for low-income Minnesotans took effect today (WEDNESDAY). The changes mean fewer people are eligible for MinnesotaCare and those who are eligible will have to pay more. Officials at hospitals such as the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis say they stand little chance of seeing additional payments from many poor patients. Minnesota Public Radio's Art Hughes reports.
November 7, 2003 - On this hour of Midday, host Gary Eichten talks with William McGuire, chief executive officer of UnitedHealth Group, about healthcare reform and what could happen in Minnesota. McGuire discusses healthcare resources and defining ‘essential’ healthcare.
November 17, 2003 - The St. Paul Companies plans to merge this spring with a rival nearly twice its size. The St. Paul would join with Travelers Property Casualty, a Connecticut-based provider of business and personal insurance. The combined company would be the nation's second-largest commercial insurer. The company will have its headquarters in St. Paul. But the move raises questions about the future in Minnesota of one of the state's oldest companies. Minnesota Public Radio's Jeff Horwich reports.
November 28, 2003 - Most law firms in the twin cities do pro bono work. But only the six major law firms offer free legal clinics. Leonard, Street and Deinhard was the first to open an office in one of the poorest areas of Minneapolis. The one room office is located in a health clinic that serves clients that are mostly poor people of color. And many of the clients are immigrants who don't speak English. Recently, the firm celebrated the 10th anniversary of it's clinic. Minnesota Public Radio's Brandt Williams reports:
March 8, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Mark Steil reports on need for fundraisers for people who don't have insurance. Sometimes even those with insurance need help. It seems the higher medical costs rise the more fundraisers there are for people who can't pay all their bills. Dinners, raffles and auctions are a few of the ways people donate money.
May 14, 2004 - Midday continues to broadcast live from the State Capitol. Host Gary Eichten and MPR's political editor Mike Mulcahy talk with key lawmakers at the MPR broadcast table. Guests include Senate Majority Leader Dean Johnson, DFL-Willmar; Governor Pawlenty's chief of staff, Dan McElroy; Senator Dick Cohen, DFL-St. Paul; Representative Jim Knoblach, R-St. Cloud; Representative Doug Stang, R-Cold Spring; and Senator Stevey Kelley, DFL-Hopkins.
May 14, 2004 - Midday broadcasts live from the Capitol rotunda on one of the last regular days of business for the state legislators. By law, the state legislature must adjourn in three days. Key legislators stop by the MPR broadcast table, including House Speaker Steve Sviggum, R-Kenyon; Senator Larry Pogemiller, DFL-Minneapolis; Representative Phil Krinkie, R-St. Paul; Senator Keith Langseth, DFL-Glyndon; House Minority Leader Matt Entenza, DFL-St. Paul; and Representative Alice Seagren, R-Bloomington. Wayne Simoneau, former longtime DFL legislator and former state commissioner in both the Carlson and Ventura administrations, offers analysis.
May 18, 2004 - Mainstreet Radio's Cara Hetland reports that The Weiner Memorial Hospital in Marshall is announcing it's merge with a regional health care system. For the last year the board has struggled between independence and the desire to grow. Officials have decided the benefits of joining with a larger system outweigh the loss of autonomy.