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.
September 14, 2000 -
September 14, 2000 - Delegates to the Minnesota Medical Association meeting in Duluth this week are taking on several controversial health care issues including payment for obesity treatment and proposed additional federal regulation of painkillers. Minnesota Public Radio's Stephanie Hemphill reports. { The MMA is in the process of deciding its policy goals for the coming year. Some have to do with the nuts and bolts of medical practice, like whether LPN's should be giving innoculations and whether a national data bank on malpractice actions should be made public. Others address public health and medical ethics issues. Quite a few advocate for better access to health care. This last category includes two resolutions on obesity, which some experts say is verging on a national epidemic. By one estimate, just over half of Americans are overweight. Obesity is linked to serious medical problems including diabetes, cardiovascular disease and arthritis. But most insurance companies don't cover treatment for obesity. St. Paul endocrinologist Dr. Michael Gonzales CamPOY says insurers still see obesity as a moral failing and are skeptical of the available treatments.
September 14, 2000 - The price of prescription drugs has emerged as a big issue in this year's political races. Senate candidate Mark Dayton has even taken groups of seniors on a ride to Canada, where they can buy drugs at cheaper prices than they can get here. Those price differences are the topic of a news conference later today in Washington D-C where Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat, and congressman Gil Gutknecht, a Republican, will call for the passage of the Prescription Drug RE-importation bill. Joining us on the line is Minnesota's first district congressman, Gil Gutknecht.
September 18, 2000 - The three candidates for US Senate square off today in a Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Debate. Business organizations say on issues important to them Rod Grams stands out the best choice. Minnesota Public Radio's Mark Zdechlik reports...
September 18, 2000 - US Senate candidates Rod Grams, Mark Dayton and James Gibson discussed health care, taxes and Social Security at the first post-primary debate today (MONDAY). Grams and Dayton were at odds on nearly every issue. Gibson - the Independence Party candidate - often found himself agreeing with Grams, although the two differed over tax relief. Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...
September 18, 2000 - Community activists and legislators at the state capitol today (Monday) registered their outrage at the inadequacy of spending on treatment programs for adolescents addicted to drugs and alcohol. They blamed state and federal governments ... as well as health insurance providers ... for what they call the immoral neglect of youth in need of treatment. The hearing was part of a nation-wide campaign focused on substance-abuse services for teens. Minnesota Public Radio's Lynette Nyman reports.
September 22, 2000 - The Ventura administration is considering whether to join five other states in extending benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. Ventura recently directed his commissioner of employee relations to study the cost and feasibility of domestic partner benefits, which could include health care and other insurance. The proposal will have to go before the legislature, where it could face significant opposition. Anne DeGroot is the director of outfront Minnesota, an advocacy group for gays and lesbians. She's happy to see the state taking this step:
September 25, 2000 - Tom Neuville, Republican State Senator; and Ann DeGroot, director of Out Front Minnesota discuss Governor Ventura's decision to look into providing benefits to the partners of gay and lesbian state employees.
September 25, 2000 - The Centers for Disease Control, the World Health Organization and epidemiologists throughout the world are calling for more prudent use of antibiotics. Ever since doctors started using penicillin to kill bacterial infections in the 1940's, researchers have worried some bacteria would become resistant to antibiotics. Their fears are now coming true as scientists discover antibiotic resistant germs They say so-called "superbugs" will leave doctors defenseless against some illnesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck has the first of three reports...
September 27, 2000 - State Senator Linda Runbeck of Vadnais Heights is hoping to become the first Republican in more than half a century to represent Minnesota's Fourth Congressional District. Runbeck hopes her conservative message will appeal to the increasingly suburban Fourth District, which includes St. Paul and surrounding suburbs. She's counting on a competitive three-way race to improve her chances. In the first of our series of Fourth District candidate profiles, Minnesota Public Radio's Laura McCallum reports...