Analysis of MPR News Stories on Allina between January and August, 2001
This page presents a selection of webpages returned from a search on the MPR website for the word "Allina". In all, 91 pages were returned. After eliminating stories from previous years (and after September 1, 2001) and duplicate entries, 33 pages remain. One story from the year 2000 is included: It is a press release from April 2000 announcing that David Strand, president of Allina's Medica health plan, was elected as the new chairman of the MPR Board of Trustees.
The key dates in this tale are March 22, 2001 and July 11, 2001. On March 22, the attorney general presented to the press two thick black binders full of documentation of Allina's misdeeds. On July 11, Hatch sued Allina for more documentation, and simultaneously produced two more black notebooks, filled with more documentation of Allina's wrongdoing. Shortly thereafter the entire Allina board resigned, effectively giving Hatch a total victory over Allina.
As opposed to MPR's virtual ignoring of the Allina story during this period, the Star Tribune did dozens of stories on Hatch's Allina investigation in March 2001 alone, while MPR did only two stories between March 22 and July 22 - one that was connected to hearings at the Minnesota Legislature (on March 22), and another on March 30, announcing a deal between Hatch and Gordon Sprenger. From that point forward, MPR did zero stories on the Allina controversey, until it became apparent in the middle of July that the Allina board and its key executives would have to resign.
Prior to this period the head of Medica, David Strand, became head of the MPR Board of Trustees. In the middle of this period the MPR News Department, according to local media reports, attempted to do a 'hit' on AG Hatch, apparently at the urging of a PR firmed hired by Allina.
4/18/2000
MPR Press Release
... of Trustees announces the election of David Strand as its new chairman. Strand, president of Medica, was recently named Chief Operating Officer of Allina Health System, and will assume the duties of Chief Executive Officer of Allina in spring, 2001. Strand succeeds Steven Rothschild, who has served ...
1/19/2001
Winemakers' Dinner
... Delle Macie Dessert Course * Chocolate Mocha Bombe with Tangerine Caramel Sauce * 1993 Ironstone Library Port Corporate Sponsors Paris: $5,000 * Allina Health System * Coldwell Banker Burnet * Redtagbiz & Petters Company * Target Corporation Provence: $3,000 * Cargill, Incorporated * Deloitte ...
Last Modified 01/19/01
2/15/2001
Sayles Belton Announces Re-election Bid (MPR News Feature)
... just like we take pride in them," she said. THE CHALLENGERS R.T. Ryback. See the candidate's Web site. Lisa McDonald Flanked by Allina Health Systems CEO Gordon Springer, Sayles Belton promised to turn a nearby area into a medical industry corridor where Phillips residents can get both ...
Last Modified 02/15/01
3/22/2001
Key Senator to Hold Hearing on Allina Spending (MPR News Feature)
Key Senator to Hold Hearing on Allina Spending By Bill Catlin, Minnesota Public Radio March 22, 2001 Click for audio RealAudio Sen. Doug Johnson (seated, right) flanked by Sen Linda Berglin and Sen. Dallas Sams. Johnson announced plans to hold hearings in his Senate Finance Committee. A powerful ...(Bill Catlin report)
Minnesota Public Radio News Archive, by Author
... more heat from shareholders over huge pay packages. And some Minnesota companies are in the crosshairs. 03/22/2001 Key Senator to Hold Hearing on Allina Spending A key lawmaker says he plans to hold a hearing on spending by Allina Health System. Sen. Doug Johnson contends that lucrative consultant contracts ...(Bill Catlin report of same day)
Morning Edition 3/19/01 -3/23/01 (MPR News)
... speaking about some of the non-aquatic species that threaten the Mississippi. He's on the line now. Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch is suing Allina Health System. He accuses the health-care giant of spending millions of dollars on items like golfing trips, spas and image consultants. Hatch also ...(March 22 - Talk to Hatch and Gordon Sprenger)
All Things Considered 3/19/01 - 3/23/01(MPR News)
... 's participation. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo reports. A powerful DFL lawmaker says he will hold a hearing on the spending practices of Allina Health System, one of the state's biggest health care firms. The move by Senator Doug Johnson comes a day after State Attorney General Mike Hatch sued ...(March 22 - Bill Catlin report)
All Things Considered 3/26/01 - 3/30/01(MPR News)
March 26 - 30, 2001 Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - The state's largest nonprofit which helps children who have autism or mental retardation wants to shorten its waiting list by expanding. Experts say Minneapolis-based Fraser offers some of the most comprehensive ...(Michael Khoo report)
Excerpt: Attorney General Mike Hatch and Allina CEO Gordon Sprenger today announced a deal to renew an audit of the health provider's business practices. Last week, Hatch questioned Allina's administrative costs and the company's spending on executive perks. Hatch also claimed the nonprofit was delaying the release of important documents. Both sides say the new agreement should expedite the review. Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Khoo has more.
5/31/2001
MPR's Midday 5/28/01 - 6/01/01
... Hospital and Healthcare Partnership. * Professor of Industrial Relations at the University of MN's Carlson School John Budd * Barbara Balik, Allina administrator working on the Allina hospitals contingency plan. * Sandra Edwardson, dean of the School of Nursing at the University of MN Second Hour: Medical ...
6/3/2001
The Nurses Strike
Allina Health System Hospitals include: Abbott Northwestern and Phillips Eye Institute in Minneapolis, Mercy in Coon Rapids, and United in St. Paul. Status (3,200 nurses): Nurses at all four hospitals on Saturday ratified contract including wage increases of 19 percent to 20 percent over three years ...
A Settlement and a Strike (MPR News Feature)
... by nurses in the Twin Cities since 1984. So far, nurses at those two Faiview Hospitals are the only nurses to walk off the job. Nurses at four Allina hospitals, three HealthEast hospitals and two Children's hospitals voted to ratify their contracts. Nurses at Methodist Hospital in St Louis Park are ...
6/5/2001
Nurses Uneasy Despite Contract Ratification (MPR News Feature)
Nurses Uneasy Despite Contract Ratification By Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio June 5, 2001 Officials with the Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health Systems say they'll meet again to "explore options" regarding the recount of votes by nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and ...
'A Huge, Deadly Mistake' (MPR News Feature)
... , right, discuss the confusion surrounding voting on a new nurses' contract at a news conference Tuesday. Listen to the news conference. Allina Health System that nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Phillips Eye Institute had ratified the contract. By then, it was too late to correct ...
All Things Considered 6/4/01 - 6/8/01(MPR News)
... proposal last weekend by a single vote. Officials with the Minnesota Nurses Association say they discovered a voting mixup only after telling Allina Health System that nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and the Phillips Eye Institute had ratified the contract. And by then, from a legal standpoint ...
Morning Edition 6/4/01 - 6/8/01(MPR News)
... help from a federally funded development project. Minnesota Public Radio's Tim Pugmire reports. Officials with the Minnesota Nurses Association and Allina Health Systems say they'll meet again today to "explore options" regarding the recount of votes by nurses at Abbott Northwestern Hospital ...
6/26/2001
The Nurses Strike (MPR News Project)
... include Jennifer Michaelson, a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association and a nurse at United Hospital; Barbara Balik, an administrator with Allina; Shireen Gandhi-Kozel, assistant vice president of the Minnesota Hospital and Healthcare Partnership; Sandra Edwardson, the dean of the School of Nurses ...Last Modified 06/26/01
6/30/2001
Session 2001 from MPR News - Story Archive (News Feature)
Story Archive 2001: January | February | March | April | May | June 2000: December JUNE 2001 With shutdown averted, Legislature adjourns The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up a new two-year budget early Saturday morning, hours before a partial government shutdown would have begun. Lawmakers approved ...
NOTE: This links to the March 22 Bill Catlin story
News from Minnesota Public Radio
news.mpr.org Story archive for June, 2001 Sort stories by date / Sort stories by author Date Reporter Title Description 06/30/2001 Michael Khoo With shutdown averted, Legislature adjourns The Minnesota Legislature wrapped up a new two-year budget early Saturday morning, hours before a partial government ...
Note: This reference links to two stories about the nurses strike.
7/20/2001
A break-up for Allina (MPR News Feature)
A break-up for Allina By Bill Catlin, Minnesota Public Radio July 20, 2001 First of two parts Click for audio RealAudio Under pressure from Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch, the state's largest health system will split into two independent organizations and make changes in top management. Allina ...
All Things Considered 07/16/01 - 07/20/ 01(MPR News)
... Public Radio's Brandt Williams is here with more details. According to a newspaper report, the Minnesota Attorney General's office is calling on Allina Health System to split into two companies. The Star Tribune reports that in a confidential report to Allina's board of directors, the Attorney General ...
Minnesota Public Radio News Archive, by Author
... precautions. Twin Cities International Airport was shut down as the FAA grounded the nation's air transportation system. 07/20/2001 A break-up for Allina Under pressure from Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch, the state's largest health system will split into two independent organizations and make ...
Assessing the impact of Allina's break-up (MPR News Feature)
Assessing the impact of Allina's break-up By Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio July 20, 2001 Second of two parts Click for audio RealAudio Attorney General Mike Hatch's audit and investigation of Allina Health System has prompted some concern by other non-profit health care organizations in the state ...
7/25/2001
News from Minnesota Public Radio
... groups and some hunters say the state's estimate of the bear population is inflated. They disagree with the two-bear limit. 07/25/2001 Tom Scheck Allina decision spurs health policy debate Last week's announcement that Allina Health System will split its health plan, Medica, from its hospitals and clinics ...
Allina decision spurs health policy debate (MPR News Feature)
Allina decision spurs health policy debate By Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio July 25, 2001 Click for audio RealAudio Last week's announcement that Allina Health System will split its health plan, Medica, from its hospitals and clinics has some state officials calling for a closer look at the state ...
Morning Edition 7/23/01 -7/27/01 (MPR News)
... and a little of the contemporary Chilean society too. (7/23) Minnesota Public Radio's Mary Stucky reports. Wednesday, July 25 Last week's announcement that Allina Health System will split its health plan, Medica, from its hospitals and clinics has some state officials calling for a closer look at the state ...
8/2/2001
Medica changes board under pressure from Hatch (MPR News Feature)
Medica changes board under pressure from Hatch From staff reports August 2, 2001 Allina Health System has named a new board of directors for its Medica health plan after negotiating the board's make-up with Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch has been investigating Allina's finances and management. ...
All Things Considered 7/30/01 - 8/3/01(MPR News)
... in Minnesota has declined dramatically. Waldron says as president, he will focus on helping the AFL-CIO regain some of its former influence. Allina Health System has named a new board of directors for its Medica health plan after negotiating the board's membership with Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch ... (Aug 2 report by Laura McCallum)
8/3/2001
Hatch's threat forced Medica board's ouster (MPR News Feature)
... August 3, 2001 Click for audio RealAudio A year and a half after Attorney General Mike Hatch began investigating Minnesota's largest health plan, Allina Health System is splitting into two companies. The board of its Medica HMO has been replaced by an entirely new slate and the Allina board could be ...
(Laura McCallum report)
8/10/2001
Allina shakes up board (MPR News Feature)
Allina shakes up board By Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio August 10, 2001 Click for audio RealAudio Allina Chief Executive Officer Gordon Sprenger, who now works solely for the hospitals and clinics, says the company will continue to work with Attorney General Mike Hatch as he completes his audit ...
All Things Considered 8/6/01 - 8/10/01 (MPR News)
... result of heat stroke after the unusually hot weather. Mayor Gary Doty says it's hard to believe that something like this could happen in Duluth. Allina Health System has named a new board of directors for its hospitals and clinics. The move means the group's 17 hospitals and 47 clinics are now legally ...(Tom Scheck report)
8/13/2001
Morning Edition 08/13/01 -08/17/01 (MPR News)
... more media coverage than Governor Ventura this summer - Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch has been in the news recently for his investigation of Allina Health System, and throughout his term, has gotten attention for focusing on health care, privacy, and consumer issues. Political observers say Hatch ...
8/16/2001
Wave of publicity could propel Hatch higher (MPR News Feature)
... more media coverage than Gov. Ventura this summer: Attorney General Mike Hatch. Hatch has been in the news recently for his investigation of Allina Health System, and throughout his term, has gotten attention for focusing on health care, privacy and consumer issues. Political observers say Hatch would ...
Last Modified 08/16/01
8/27/2001
Allina audit won't end HMO spending debate (MPR News Feature)
Allina audit won't end HMO spending debate By Tom Scheck, Minnesota Public Radio August 27, 2001 When Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch releases his audit of Allina Health System sometime in the next few weeks, health care experts and policy makers say it won't resolve the dispute over spending ...
Morning Edition 08/27/01 -08/31/01(MPR News)
... - Tuesday - Wednesday - Thursday - Friday - Morning Edition Home Monday, August 27 When Minnesota Attorney General Mike Hatch releases his audit of Allina Health System sometime in the next few weeks, health-care experts and policy makers say it won't resolve the dispute over spending practices of the ...(Tom Scheck report)