HEALTH

Grief Center brings support, education about grief and loss

Brenda Wiese was still new to Rice Memorial Hospital’s Grief Center in Willmar when a high school-aged boy came in to talk to her about the recent death of a classmate. Wiese hadn’t dealt with many adolescent males and wasn’t sure how the session would go. Would she say the right things? Would it be helpful?

By Anne Polta , November 07, 2009

Volunteers find satisfaction in helping with holiday festival

By the time the Rice Health Foundation’s annual holiday festival next weekend is over and done with, more than 100 volunteers will have been involved in everything from handing out programs to enlisting corporate sponsors.

By Anne Polta , November 07, 2009

Letter: No solutions from government

If President Obama is going to pay for government health care with the waste and fraud from Medicare, why doesn’t he just clean up that mess now? Problem solved!

October 31, 2009

House Dems unveil health proposal

WASHINGTON — Cheered by President Obama, House Democrats rolled out landmark legislation Thursday to extend health care to tens of millions who lack coverage, impose sweeping new restrictions on the insurance industry and create a government-run option to compete with private insurers.

By David Espo , October 30, 2009

Pelosi: New health care bill is 'historic moment'

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months of struggle, House Democrats unveiled sweeping legislation today to extend health care coverage to millions who lack it and create a new option of government-run insurance. A vote is likely next week on the plan patterned closely on President Barack Obama's own.

By AP wire report , October 29, 2009

As cases rise, swine flu is linked to two more deaths in Minn.

ST. PAUL — Minnesota health officials confirmed two more deaths Wednesday from 2009 H1N1 flu, or swine flu as it is also known, as more schools report flu outbreaks and the number of people hospitalized continues to rise.

By Don Davis , October 29, 2009

Hundreds of schools across the United States close due to flu fears

CHICAGO — The number of students staying home sick with the flu is multiplying nationwide and normally quiet school nurses’ offices suddenly look like big city emergency rooms, packed with students too ill to finish the day.

By Don Babwin , October 29, 2009

For KAT employees, health insurance hike takes its bite

WILLMAR — A 33 percent increase in health insurance costs will be passed onto Kandiyohi Area Transit employees, who have also been told not to expect a wage increase next year.

By Carolyn Lange , October 28, 2009

Senate bill embraces ‘public option’

WASHINGTON — Health care legislation heading for the Senate floor will give millions of Americans the option of purchasing government-run insurance coverage, Majority Leader Harry Reid announced Monday, although he stopped short of claiming the 60 votes needed to pass a plan steeped in controversy.

By David Espo , October 27, 2009

Letter: Special interests in health care

Having spent almost 30 years in the insurance business, I have been following the discussions on health reform with interest. One thing is clear, there is good information and a lot of bad information. One reliable source is the Kaiser Family Foundation which recently completed its annual survey of employer health coverage and costs. They found that the average nationwide cost of a family policy in 2009 is $13,375. The study projects that in 10 years it will be $30,803! These numbers indicate why more employers are dropping coverage entirely or offering scaled-down plans as well as why wage increases for workers have been stagnant since 2000. It also represents a critical drag on the economy which no amount of stimulus will correct.

By Marlin Henjum, New London , October 24, 2009

After day of aches, pains flu help line appears to be on track

ST. PAUL — Flu-stricken Minnesotans are finding a shorter wait for medical advice when they call a state hotline.

By Don Davis , October 24, 2009

Minnesotans swamp state’s new help line for those with flu symptoms

ST. PAUL — Health officials are scrambling to expand a hotline for Minnesotans suffering from the flu after callers to the new service reported the telephone went unanswered, they received busy signals and there were hours-long waits before nurses called back.

By Don Davis , October 23, 2009

State establishes influenza help line

ST. PAUL — Operators are standing by to answer calls from feverish, coughing and achy Minnesotans.

By Don Davis , October 22, 2009

Dementia network to host day of events

WILLMAR — The newly formed West Central Dementia Awareness Network is hosting a series of events Oct. 27 to help raise awareness of dementia and some of the resources available to help families.

By Anne Polta , October 21, 2009

Rice implements new visitor restrictions to combat flu

WILLMAR — Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar has introduced new visitor restrictions to protect patients from exposure to influenza.

By Linda Vanderwerf , October 21, 2009