October 8, 2010 — Gov. Tim Pawlenty repeated his opposition Friday to so-called "insurance exchanges," a key piece of health care reform. He said exchanges amount to government interfering with the free market. That's a reversal from 2007, when Pawlenty proposed his own insurance exchange program for Minnesota businesses. Pawlenty says his opposition to exchanges is the reason he declined to send the US Government a state response to questions about exchanges. Three prominent Minnesota health groups secured a copy of the response and sent it anyway. Former GOP senator Dave Durenberger, a health policy expert, says their move was understandable. Pawlenty says a 2008 state analysis of exchanges found they'd be ineffective at reining in costs.
October 8, 2010 — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is standing by his decision to ignore a federal request for input on a key piece of health care reform. The Department of Health and Human Services had asked states for their recommendations on "insurance exchanges." These are online marketplaces where consumers can compare and buy health plans. Pawlenty opposes health reform. He said today (Friday) exchanges are big government interfering with the free market. But three years ago, Pawlenty advocated a similar idea. Elizabeth Stawicki reports: During his radio show today, Gov. Tim Pawlenty expanded on why he decided against sending in a Minnesota health department report about health insurance exchanges. He said the best insurance exchange is the free market:
April 27, 2010 — The 21st Annual International Arts in Healthcare conference is happening now. It's entitled "Partners in Health", and it runs through Saturday at the Hilton Minneapolis.
March 23, 2010 — University of Minnesota family practice physician Dr. Jon Hallberg joins Midday in the studio to talk about medical issues in the news. Guest: Dr. Jon Hallberg: Family practice physician, Mill City Clinic. Assistant professor of family medicine, University of Minnesota. Minnesota Public Radio medical commentator. Gary Eichten hosts.
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, assesses the ideas and accomplishments of the all-day session. Guest: David Durenberger: U.S. Senator, (Republican-MN) from 1978-1995. Author and co-author of major health legislation 1980 to 1993. Chair of the National Institute of Health Policy at University of St. Thomas. Gary Eichten hosts.
December 31, 2009 — A portion of the billions of dollars in cuts Governer Tim Pawlenty made to balance the budget last summer are now on hold. Ramsey District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled that a $5.3 million food program cut from the budget should be restored. In question are the remaining cuts. Guests Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall): Former minority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He's currently running for governor. Sen. Tarryl Clark (D-St. Cloud): Assistant majority leader in the Minnesota Senate. She is challenging Republican Michele Bachmann for Congress. David Lillehaug: Former Minnesota U.S. attorney. He's an attorney with Fredrikson and Byron. Sen. Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen): Serves on the Minnesota Senate Transportation committee. The toll of grief on a marriage A new debut novel explores the connection between chronic pain and the emotional pain of loss. St. Paul writer Kate Ledger brings her experience observing and writing about doctors to her contemplation of marriage and grief. 10:30 a.m. Guests Kate Ledger: Author of the new novel "Remedies."
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.
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.
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.
September 26, 2009 — More than a thousand people rallied last night at a Minneapolis town hall meeting hosted by Minnesota Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and Texas Congressman Ron Paul. reporter Jess Mador has more.