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.
February 12, 2014 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki looks into the many intitial rollout problems of MNsure, the state’s health insurance exchange.
May 30, 2014 - All Things Considered’s Tom Cramm talks with DFL Congressman Tim Walz about his perspective on the resignation of Eric Shinseki as the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs and on the larger VA investigations. Walz had called for Shinseki’s resignation after a VA scandal in Phoenix, Arizona.
July 30, 2014 - The Daily Circuit’s Tom Weber talks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who represents Minnesota's 1st District and sits on the House Veterans Affairs committee, about what the VA needs to change and whether a $17 billion fix from Congress can do the job. The two also discuss the latest rules governing the safety of oil trains. 50 oil trains a week pass through Minnesota.
October 24, 2014 - MPR presents the final debate for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District between DFL Congressman Tim Walz and his Republican challenger Jim Hagerdorn. The two debated many of the major issues facing Minnesotans...the debt, social security, agriculture, health care and immigration.
December 5, 2014 - All Things Considered’s Tom Crann interviews U.S. Representative Tim Walz on the issue of veteran suicide, and the efforts in Washington D.C. to address it. Those efforts include legislation sponsored by Walz, called the Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention Act. It's a bipartisan effort, with companion legislation in the Senate sponsored by John McCain.
February 2, 2015 - President Obama has signed the The Clay Hunt Suicide Prevention for American Veterans Act into law. All Things Considered’s Tom Crann speaks with U.S. Representative Tim Walz, who was present at the signing ceremony. Walz sponsored the act in the House.
August 24, 2015 - On this segment of MPR News with Tom Weber, a conversation with U.S. Representative Tim Walz regarding the efforts and challenges of enacted VA reform bill, debt limit expiration, and possible Iran nuclear deal.
January 17, 2017 - Morning Edition’s Cathy Wurzer interviews DFL U.S. Representative Tim Walz about President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin. Shulkin currently serves in the VA Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Health. He was appointed to that position by President Barack Obama in 2015.
August 17, 2018 - MPR’s John Enger reports on Republican gubernatorial nominee Jeff Johnson and his DFL opponent Tim Walz as they faced each other on debate stage in Nisswa for their first meeting. While views on topics like mining and pipeline were similar, healthcare and taxes became key debates between the two candidates.
August 31, 2018 - At MPR Day at the Minnesota State Fair, MPR’s Mike Mulcahy hosts a gubernatorial debate at Dan Patch Park between U.S. Representative Tim Walz, the DFL candidate; and Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson, the GOP candidate. The two spar over Trump, schools, gun control measures, and how to slow the rising cost of health care. The stakes are high for both parties. Republicans have complete control of the Legislature and could control all of state government if they win the governor's office this fall, but they haven't managed to win a statewide race in more than a decade.