Minnesota plays a unique role in the arena of health, with impactful political/cultural moments, and important contributions from institutions such as Mayo Clinic, Hazelden, UCare, among others. Over the decades, MPR News and American RadioWorks have produced a breadth of reports and programming specifically dedicated to the subject of health. This collection includes interviews, debates, speeches, and documentaries that provide greater detail to the many facets of healthcare, from both a local and national perspective.
April 30, 1998 - Advances in medicine give physicians better tools to heal the sick, but some patients feel their humanity gets overlooked by doctors focused on equipment, medication, and the pressure to see more patients. Studies show a relationship between faith and health. In the final story in our series on religion in everday life, Minnesota Public Radio's Brent Wolfe reports many medical schools are teaching doctors how to use spirituality as another tool to heal.
May 5, 1998 - Neither side in Minnesota's tobacco trial will confirm or deny a published report that settlement talks are underway. But many trial observers say the state would be smart to settle with tobacco companies, with the case scheduled to go to the jury later this week. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports.
May 6, 1998 - St. Paul trial attorney Ron Rosenmbaum helps sort through the legal questions on whether the lawyers in the tobacco trial should settle the case, or let the jury decide. Rosenmbaum also answers listener questions. Program begins with MPR reporter Laura McCallum presenting latest from the federal courthouse.
May 6, 1998 - As Minnesota's tobacco trial enters its final days, attorneys for the state and Blue Cross Blue Shield have introduced into evidence a final batch of formerly-secret tobacco industry documents. They include research into the smoking motivations of children, and lawyers' memos about smoking and health research. The state contends tobacco companies marketed to underage smokers, and covered up research linking smoking and disease. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... The state's legal team hinted some of the most incriminating company documents would come in this last group of memos, many of them from the
May 6, 1998 - A group out to reduce tobacco use in Minnesota says the state should get tough on enforcing the law which prohibits smoking under age 18. In addition Minnesota Decides wants to ban smoking in bars and restaurants. The group is described as "a community health partnership" led by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Anti-smoking activists welcome the report. They say Minnesota has fallen behind other states in smoking prevention. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Olson reports. --------------------------------------------------------- | D-CART ITEM: 7175 | TIME: 4:13 | OUTCUE: "...SOC --------------------------------------------------------- We brag about surviving cold winters and coping with mosquitoes and we point with pride to our 25 year old anti smoking law. The Minnesota Clean Indoor Act, the first in the nation, regulates smoking in public places including restuarants and work sites. Most winters are still cold and mosquitoes still bite but the state's anti smoking effort has been
May 6, 1998 - The judge presiding over Minnesota's tobacco trial today gave jury instructions that tobacco companies say are grounds for appeal. The case is rapidly winding to a close, despite continuing rumors of an out-of-court settlement. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports... Judge Kenneth Fitzpatrick's instructions to the jury should come as no surprise - they're consistent with his previous rulings. He told jurors when considering damages, they shouldn't take into account any of the state's revenues from cigarette excise taxes. He said they shouldn't consider whether smokers had other risky habits that might have raised health care costs, and said tobacco companies can't use as a defense what individ
May 7, 1998 - Speculation about how the jury might decide the tobacco trial has already started, even though it is still possible for the two sides to reach a settlement. George Annas is a Professor of Health Law at Boston University. He says a jury verdict for the state might not yield as much money as a settlement, but it would be impressive symbolically. Sun 28-MAY 11:20:20 MPR NewsPro Archive - Wed 04/11/2001
May 7, 1998 - ** use this version ** Until fairly recently, people with disabilities often tried to hide their disability or were kept from public view by a society uncomfortable with their condition. But with the passage of the American with Disabilities Act in 1990 and the rise of the disabilities movement, people with disabilities have moved more into the public eye. This is particularly apparant in the number of individuals with visible disabilities who have chosen a life in public office. Minnesota Public Radio's Gretchen Lehmann reports. Franklin Roosevelt casts a long shadow for any person with a disability who aspires to public office. With few photos of him in his wheelchair and almost no public acknowledgement of his disability, Roosevelt set a hard to overc
May 7, 1998 - Closing arguments began today in Minnesota's tobacco trial. Settlement talks have collapsed, and the chief executive of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota says chances of a settlement are "extremely slim." He said one problem was tobacco companies' demand that they be protected against lawsuits by Minnesota counties. Hennepin County commissioners are informally debating whether to sue the tobacco industry to recoup county costs for treating sick smokers. Commissioner Randy Johnson says the immunity issue is moot: Hennepin County Commissioner Randy Johnson.
May 7, 1998 - Tobacco company attorneys present their closing arguments this morning in Saint Paul amidst rumors of settlement talks. Minnesota Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Skip Humphrey sounded like he'd prefer to settle Minnesota's tobacco trial but also said he's prepared to let the jury decide. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: Humphrey spoke before an audience of public health professors at the University of Minnesota giving few clues as to whether he's close to settling the case. Settlement rumors have been flying since Monday when the St Paul Pioneer Press reported parties for the state, blue cross/blue shield and tobacco companies had outlined an agreement. That agreement reportedly called for the industry to pay five-billion-dollars over the next 25 years and submit to marketing restrictions to teenagers.