February 6, 2004 -
January 30, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty today (fri) released details of the first phase of his plan to help Minnesotans import less expensive prescription drugs from Canada. The governor showcased a state website that lists two Canadian pharmacies that have 829 different medicines for sale to consumers. Minnesota is the first state in the nation to offer such a plan. Some critics say the website doesn't do enough to help Minnesotans obtain cheaper prescriptions. Others oppose the site and say they're contemplating legal action to shut it down. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 26, 2004 - With health care costs and the number of uninsured people both rising, state lawmakers say health care will be a big issue in the upcoming legislative session. Senate DFLers and House Republicans are offering dramatically different proposals to lower the rising cost of health care. Meanwhile, a task force appointed by Governor Pawlenty is scheduled to release its ideas for reforming Minnesota's health care system by the end of the week. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
January 8, 2004 - Governor Pawlenty is proposing to keep the state's most dangerous sex offenders in jail for life without a chance for parole. In a crime package released today (Thurs), the governor also calls for tougher sentences for sex crimes in general, increased monitoring for sex offenders who have been released from jail and more money to add prison space. Pawlenty is also asking the state Legislature to require the attorney general's office to work with county attorneys and the Corrections Department to seek civil commitments of any level three offenders who are scheduled for release. The governor says his proposal will strengthen the state's laws against sex offenders but others argue it doesn't get to the immediate problem. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports
December 31, 2003 - U.S cattle futures fell today for the fifth straight market session since last week's announcement that a cow in Washington has bovine spongiform encephalopathy, more commonly known as Mad Cow Disease. It's the first known case of mad cow in the United States. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has implemented several safety measures to ensure beef carrying the deadly brain wasting illness out of the food supply. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minneosota Health Department held a video conference today to discuss the new rules and address any concerns that cattlemen, veterinarians and consumers might have. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
December 18, 2003 - Governor Pawlenty says he wants to discipline the state doctors who decided against recommending civil commitment for Alfonso Rodriguez Junior. Rodriguez was charged two weeks ago with kidnapping 22 year old Dru Sjodin. The convicted sex offender was released in May even though some evaluations say Rodriguez had a high likelihood of reoffending. Rodriguez has maintained his innocence in Sjodin's disappearance. While Pawlenty is considering punishment for the doctors who assessed Rodriguez, Minnesota's attorney general and other DFLers say they're concerned that budget cuts led to the oversight. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports.
December 16, 2003 - Senate DFLers are the latest group at the state Capitol to propose a plan to reduce the growth in health care costs. The proposal would restore some of the cuts to state subsidized health insurance programs, would cap health care premium increases and would invest more money in education for health care professionals. The rising cost of health care is likely to be a hot issue in the upcoming legislative session. House Republicans have proposed a dramatically different plan and a task force appointed by the governor is also working on the issue. I'm Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 16, 2003 - The Minnesota House Republican caucus is proposing legislation that would create tougher sentences for violent sex offenders. The announcement comes two weeks after a convicted sex offender was charged with kidnapping 22-year-old college student Dru Sjodin. Extensive searches for Sjodin have come up empty. Alfonso Rodriguez Junior is in custody for allegedly kidnapping Sjodin. He was released from prison in May after serving 23 years for assault, kidnapping and other convictions of attempted rape and aggravated rape. House Republicans say the incident highlights the need for tougher sentences. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports...
December 12, 2003 - Hundreds of people lined up outside of the Minnesota Department of Health's office in St. Paul today in hopes of getting a flu shot. Demand for the vaccine has increased in the last week after the two manufacturers who make the vaccine said they've run out and won't be able to make any more in the near future. Twenty-four states to date have reported a widespread flu outbreak. The concern has also prompted some Minnesota health plans to reverse an earlier decision and start covering the cost of FluMist, a new, more expensive, nasal vaccine. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....
December 9, 2003 - Several advocates for the poor say some Minnesota pharmacies are violating federal law. They say the pharmacists are refusing to provide drugs to low income people who can't afford a new drug copay required by the state. Federal law says pharmacies are required to give medicine to people who say they can't afford it. Minnesota Public Radio's Tom Scheck reports....