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 28, 2006 - What would it cost to cover Minnesota's approximately 383-thousand uninsured people? On the low end, about $663 million dollars a year, state officials say. On the high end, the bill could jump to more than $850 million. The estimates come from a new background paper issued by the Minnesota Department of Health. The Governor's Healthcare Cabinet requested the numbers as it considers ways to develop healthcare coverage in the state. Minnesota Public Radio's Lorna Benson reports.
August 22, 2006 - President Bush promoted a new healthcare "transparency" initiative at an event in Minnetonka this afternoon (Tuesday). The White House billed the event as a healthcare summit. The president used the forum to promote liability reform, new electronic medical record keeping, and the pooling of small business health insurance. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports.
September 20, 2006 - MPR's Tom Scheck reports on debate of top candidates in U.S. Senate race. The hour-long forum was hosted by AARP, WCCO Radio and Twin Cities Public Television. Republican Mark Kennedy and DFLer Amy Klobuchar spent a large part of the time disagreeing on their positions and dispelling each other’s attacks, while Independence Party Member Robert Fitzgerald stated he was the alternative to the two other candidates.
September 22, 2006 - The three candidates for congress in Minnesota's 6th district are offering distinctly different views on health care, taxes and the war in Iraq. Republican Michele Bachmann, Democrat Patty Wetterling and John Binkowski of the Independence Party covered a wide range of issues last night during a debate held in Woodbury. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports.
October 6, 2006 - Health care is emerging as one of the big issues in this year's campaign for U.S. Senate. Democrat Amy Klobuchar, Republican Mark Kennedy and Independence Party candidate Robert Fitzgerald have all proposed ways to provide more health insurance coverage by controlling the cost of health care. As part of our look at the issues in this year's campaign, MPR's Tom Scheck looks at what the candidates are saying about health care and whether their promises add up.
November 13, 2006 - African Americans and Native Americans have the highest fetal and infant mortality rates in Minnesota and the United States. The Minnesota Department of Health has been working with those families and the numbers of fetal and infant deaths have begun to decline. But now the focus is turning to Minnesota's growing Latino population where, it appears fetal deaths are increasing. Unlike African Americans and Native Americans, Latina women face special obstacles, in part because of language and immigration status. Minnesota Public Radio's Ambar Espinoza reports.
November 15, 2006 - Governor Pawlenty says he wants to extend health insurance coverage to all Minnesota children. He made the announcement yesterday during a speech to a group of health care and policy experts in Minneapolis. Pawlenty's remarks come just one week after he narrowly won re-election and now faces a Legislature that is controlled by Democrats. Several groups were surprised by the announcement. While they applaud the move, they want to hear more specifics before signing on. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
January 23, 2007 - Later tonight, we'll bring you live coverage of President Bush's seventh State of the Union Address. In the speech, the President is expected to highlight a healthcare plan that would provide Americans with a tax deduction to help cover insurance costs. Some Democrats are already saying the President's plan doesn't do enough to help the nation's 47 million uninsured. Health economists like the University of Minnesota's Steve Parente have been talking about this plan for a while now. We asked him to help explain the anticipated proposal. Parente Directs the Medical Industry Leadership Institute at the Carlson School of Management.
March 7, 2007 - Minnesota 1st District Representative Tim Walz, a member of the House Veterans Affairs committee, reacts to revelations about the medical care of wounded soldiers in the wake of the Walter Reed Medical Center scandal.
April 9, 2007 - Minnesota 1st District U.S. Representative Tim Walz has made a name for himself in his first 100 days. Insiders say he's become an influential Democratic voice in Washington on veterans and the war in Iraq.