HEALTH

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

Vets information event scheduled for Saturday

Local members of the nonprofit Disabled American Veterans will present a veterans information seminar at 10 a.m. Saturday at the American Legion Post #167 in Willmar.

October 20, 2009

H1N1 in state pigs confirmed by Dept. of Ag officials

WASHINGTON — At least one pig from Minnesota has tested positive for the H1N1 virus, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Monday, the first case of a pig contracting the virus in the United States.

By Henry C. Jackson , October 20, 2009

Hospitals restricting visitors to stop spread of swine flu

WASHINGTON — Visiting a loved one in the hospital? Better check on new flu limits first. Hospitals around the country are turning away visiting children and tightening restrictions on adults, too, in hopes of limiting spread of swine flu in the hallways — although there’s little science the limits work.

By Lauran Neergaard , October 20, 2009

Boomers’ retirements a ‘slow train wreck’ for Minn. economy

ST. PAUL — Baby boomers are beginning to retire, and their need for more health care is a main reason Minnesota’s future budgets look bleak.

By Don Davis , October 20, 2009

Obama praises Senate committee's health care vote

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama pushed back today against critics of his health care plan with a stern warning that absent reform, costs will continue to rise and eventually devastate the U.S. economy.

October 17, 2009

Letter: A prescription for failure

Can pigs fly? They seem to in Washington, D.C. Consider the Baucus Senate health care plan (really an entitlement). In conjunction with the Congressional Budget Office, Baucus has unveiled his $829 billion plan over the next 10 years that he says will reduce the federal budget by $81 billion.

By Ron Snyder, Willmar , October 17, 2009