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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August 19, 2009 - On this Midday program, MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. Walz is holding a town meeting on health care reform in Mankato. In advance of that meeting, he joins Midday to talk about healthcare reform and other issues facing Congress.
August 21, 2009 - MPR’s Jess Mador reports on how the health care debate continues to be contentious, with town hall meetings across the country devolving into shouting matches. Things were just as noisy but slightly more polite in Mankato, where hundreds of people packed a high school auditorium to participate in a town hall forum on health care sponsored by Congressman Tim Walz.
September 7, 2009 - MPR’s Ambar Espinoza reports on a GOP State Fair Forum. The Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed various topics, including healthcare, taxes, and education.
September 9, 2009 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer chats via phone with Minnesota DFL Congressman about his latest visit to Afghanistan and the war effort there. Walz also discusses President Obama’s upcoming speech on healthcare debate.
September 9, 2009 - Tonight at 7:00, President Obama will address a joint session of Congress about his health care reform proposal. Obama is promising to offer more details about his vision for overhauling the $2.5 trillion U.S. healthcare system. Minnesota Public Radio News will provide live coverage of the address. One of the people who will be in the audience tonight in Washington is Jeffrey Korsmo, the Executive Director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. He was invited to attend the speech by DFL Congressman Tim Walz. Korsmo says he's eager to hear more about Obama's plan. That is Jeffrey Korsmo, Executive Director of the Mayo Clinic Health Policy Center. He will be in the Capitol tonight when President Obama makes his health care reform speech.
October 16, 2009 - Thirty-three thousand of the poorest Minnesotans may lose state health coverage sooner than expected. Earlier this year, Governor Tim Pawlenty cut the General Assistance Medical Care program, which provides coverage for adults without dependents who don't qualify for other healthcare assistance. The program was originally projected to end in March. But now estimates show funding may not last that long. Rupa Shenoy reports that has advocates scrambling to find another option.
December 3, 2009 - Archbishop John Neinstedt of the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese supports that letter to Senators, but he's also careful to say he does support healthcare reform. In fact he's called it "one of the most important issues of our lifetime." In a telephone interview earlier today, I asked Archbishop Neinstedt about his approach to the health care dilema.
December 22, 2009 - Medical experts call diabetes a growing epidemic. About one in three people will get the disease. About twenty-four million people already have it. Many people can prevent diabetes with simple lifestyle changes. But Medicare and most private insurance programs don't pay for prevention efforts. Rupa Shenoy reports that gap could be plugged by legislation included in the healthcare reform bill working it's way through the US Senate.
February 26, 2010 - A day after President Barack Obama gathered top lawmakers in Washington for a bipartisan summit on health care, former U.S. Sen. Dave Durenberger, chair of the National Institute of Health Policy at University of St. Thomas, assesses the ideas and accomplishments of the all-day session.
March 22, 2010 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz about his ‘yes’ vote on healthcare reform bill, known as the Affordable Care Act. Walz had been targeted by Republicans hoping he would change his mind.