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.
August 2, 1994 - Midday’s Gary Eichten interviews Mary Jo O'Brien, commissioner of the Minnesota Health Department, about MinnesotaCare and how efforts for a federal health care reform would impact the state’s health care program.
August 19, 1994 - Dr. Arthur Caplan, former head of Center for Bioethics at University of Minnesota, is interviewed about his thoughts on how the health care reform has played out in Washington D.C.
August 25, 1994 - Steven Schier, professor of political science at Carleton College, comments on his views of what will come of the health care and crime bills in the U.S. Senate.
August 26, 1994 - MPR’s Gary Eichten presents excerpts of Governor Arne Carlson and former Minnesota State Representative Alan Quist's appearances on Midday program. The two are vying as Independent Republican candidates for governor.
September 27, 1994 - Linda Lee Berglin, Minnesota state senator, discusses the status of MinnesotaCare, what it offers the public in health care coverage, and ongoing debate at the State Capitol.
September 29, 1994 - Marna Canterbury, a nutrition advisor at Health Partners, discusses a project that promotes various healthy alternatives. The project sponsors a challenge to local restaurants in offering health focused dishes.
December 21, 1994 - Linda Berglin, DFL state representative and chair of the Minnesota Health Committee, discusses expansion of MnCare, federal funding, and taxes.
December 22, 1994 - Allan Baumgarten, independent consultant on health care management, talks about a study showing large reserves held by many HMOs.
June 8, 1995 - Susan Wolf, University of Minnesota law professor and associate at Minnesota Center for Biomedical Ethics, provides commentary on how medical ethics apply when deciding who is eligible for transplants.
June 19, 1995 - MPR’s Karen Louise Boothe visits the Linwood Community Center, as she profiles the unique circumstances that older gay and lesbians face in the senior care setting. Boothe interviews individuals and health officials about the concerns and experiences of elderly gay and lesbians.