VETERANS: From UCare via Facebook, VERBATIM: “Hello from Crookston. We enjoyed visiting UCare members at the Polk & Red Lake County Veterans Expo. Multiple agencies, including Minnesota Veterans Affairs, Polk County Social Services, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, and Wounded Warriors were here to offer resources and information.” POST: https://fluence-media.co/44q4Q1e (SPONSORED: UCare)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
POLL: Via Real Clear Politics, a Harris Poll conducted last week finds HHS Secretary Robert F. Kenney Jr. has a 44% net approval rating, second only to President Trump on the list of those tested. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/42xr6Ui
TAX CREDITS: Via Navigator, VERBATIM: “Nearly four in five Americans (79 percent) support the existing health care tax credits, cutting across partisanship and ideology with 77 percent of independents and 71 percent of Republicans supporting the tax credits. Not only is there a strong base of support for the existing tax credits, but deep support for extending them as the deadline approaches for Congress to act.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42cpbWv
BIRD FLU: Via University of Michigan, VERBATIM: “The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health asked a national sample of parents of children 1-18 years old about their knowledge and concerns regarding bird flu. Parents’ main information sources about bird flu are news reports (78%), social media (31%), internet searches (19%), family or friends (15%), government agency (11%), and healthcare providers (11%). Two-thirds (68%) don’t know if there have been cases of bird flu in their state, and 45% have heard little or nothing about it.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4j9xQyO
MENOPAUSE: Via HealthDay, VERBATIM: “Sixty-one percent of women (3 in 5) think they will hit menopause and start experiencing these symptoms in their 40s, according to poll results from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. But that just isn’t so, doctors say.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4javAaC
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
THIS WEEK: Via Black Mamas Matter Alliance, VERBATIM: “The 2025 Black Maternal Health Week (#BMHW25) theme, ‘Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy,’ emphasizes the power of Black-led perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health organizations to drive systemic change and foster community healing.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3EodUcs
NEXT MONTH: Via Allina, VERBATIM: “Melanoma Monday is Monday, May 5, and to raise awareness about melanoma and other types of skin cancers, Allina Health is pleased to offer free skin checks on that day. Melanoma Monday is held on the first Monday in May every year.” LOCATIONS: https://fluence-media.co/4igkT4Y
MEASLES: Via Minnesota Reformer, VERBATIM: “Cities and states fighting a historic measles outbreak find themselves undermined by the Trump administration as they struggle to provide crucial vaccinations and overcome disinformation. As of this week, cases were nearing 650 in 22 states, on track to reach a 34-year high . . . In Minnesota, where $220 million in previously approved federal health funding was cut off, the state announced layoffs April 1, including some positions supporting measles vaccination and other disease response. Minneapolis vaccination clinics were canceled March 26.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42fR8g4
FDA: Via Roll Call, VERBATIM: “[Vera Rosenthal] was one of thousands of employees across the Department of Health and Human Services whose positions were cut as part of the Department of Government Efficiency’s effort to drastically cut the size of the federal government under the premise that it will save taxpayer money. In interviews, three former health communications specialists whose positions were terminated said they’re concerned about the impact on the agency. Their jobs were to get the message out about key health issues, be it by sharing information about contaminated medicines, informing the public on drug shortages and spreading the word about fraudulent health products.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ih9iCM
MORE: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “The Food and Drug Administration earlier this month fired dozens of staffers responsible for going after retailers who illegally sell tobacco to minors. Now it’s begging them to come back. Senior FDA officials asked laid-off employees in recent days to temporarily return after mass cuts decimated the agency’s ability to penalize retailers that sell cigarettes and vapes to minors, four federal health officials familiar with the matter said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/44q5tIc
MORE: Via NPR, an interview with Dr. Peter Marks, the ousted FDA vaccine chief, about his former boss, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and about vaccines. MARKS: “Vaccines that we have that come through the FDA approval process in the United States have been determined to have benefits that greatly outweigh risks. Measles vaccine provides protection - nearly lifelong - against a virus that kills, otherwise, about 1 in 1,000 children who get the virus. So if we decide that we want everyone to get the measles so they have lifelong protection, it means that one child out of every thousand will die. Those are healthy children.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/3YAWCQf
MEDICAID SUPPORTS HEALTH CARE FOR ALL OF US: Medicaid keeps Minnesota’s hospitals strong and ensures communities across the state have access to care. Policymakers must protect Medicaid so every Minnesotan — regardless of income or health status — can get the care they need, when they need it. LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3FtrCuH (SPONSORED: Minnesota Hospital Association)
VACCINES: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “For the first time since Robert F. Kennedy Jr. took charge of the Department of Health and Human Services, vaccine advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are meeting publicly to discuss the nation's vaccine policies. A meeting of the CDC's advisory committee on immunization practices was initially scheduled for February but was postponed, raising concerns among some scientists and those working in public health about political interference in vaccine policy.” LISTEN: https://fluence-media.co/42LX4h1
PHARMACIES: Via news release from the Attorney General’s office, VERBATIM: “Attorney General Ellison joined a bipartisan coalition of 39 attorneys general in sending a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass an act that would prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from owning or operating pharmacies.” QUOTE: “PBMs were supposed to help lower drug costs by negotiating rebates and bulk discounts with prescription drug manufacturers and passing the savings along to consumers," said Attorney General Keith Ellison. "Instead, the PBMs themselves are pocketing the savings they generate and passing high drug costs along to consumers. This is unacceptable, and it is just the beginning of the issues PBMs cause. Right now, PMB-affiliated pharmacies are causing serious harm by, among many other things, using their power and leverage to drive independent pharmacies out of business. This is particularly harmful to folks in Greater Minnesota who generally have fewer pharmacy options to choose from.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4jdMcyo LETTER: https://fluence-media.co/4lDkfBQ
IMPORTS: Via Stat, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration disclosed it formally opened an investigation into the extent to which the importation of certain pharmaceuticals may threaten national security, a move that is a widely anticipated prelude to imposing tariffs on a potentially large number of medicines.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42LWik7
MEDICAID: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “As Congress looks for ways to reduce the federal deficit, Medicaid is in the spotlight. Last week, the GOP-led House passed a budget framework that allows both chambers of Congress to work on a major budget plan they expect to pass without any Democratic votes. Some House Republicans have called for it to include reductions in Medicaid spending. Family caregivers and people needing long-term care could be hard-hit by cuts to the program.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4inqo27
WORK RULES: Via KFF Health News, VERBATIM: “Republicans in Congress and several states, including Ohio, Iowa, and Montana, are pushing to implement work requirements for nondisabled adults, arguing a mandate would encourage enrollees to find jobs. And for Republicans pushing to require Medicaid enrollees to work, Wunderlin’s story could be held up as evidence that government health coverage can help people find employment and, ultimately, reduce their need for public assistance. Yet his experience is rare. Medicaid typically does not offer such help, and when states do try to help, such efforts are limited.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G57DmG
CUTS: Via Minnesota Department of Human Services, news releases about roundtable discussions in Rochester and Mankato about proposed federal cuts. VERBATIM: “Changes proposed in the U.S. Congress to Medicaid and health care funding could result in $880 billion in cuts nationwide to health care programing that benefit 1.3 million Minnesotans. While specific proposals have yet to be unveiled, state estimates show that Minnesota could lose as much as $1.6 billion annually in federal support for health care programs serving a wide swath of Minnesotans, including children, those who are pregnant, seniors and people with disabilities.” ROCHESTER: https://fluence-media.co/3Eke9p4 MANKATO: https://fluence-media.co/4ilGWHv
ESSENTIA HEALTH INVESTS IN TWIN PORTS NURSES: Total payroll for Essentia Health Duluth-Superior nurses is $164 million, with $53 million paid in salary increases over the past 3 years. Essentia Health has also increased clinical support staff by 10% over the past 3 years, providing additional support for those nurses. Over half of Duluth area nurses have been with us for over 5 years and enjoy exceptional work-life balance. To join our team at Essentia Health, search for openings HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3FzLe0i (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
RED LAKE: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Red Lake Student Health Fair made its way back to Red Lake High School on Friday after the COVID-19 pandemic put the event on pause for the last few years. Red Lake Nation wants to educate students on mental health, as well as bring awareness to the many different resources that can help students and their well-being. ‘It takes a lot to ask for help, especially if you grow up in this community,’ said Jon Roberts, the Student Health Fair’s MC. ‘I have grown up here my whole life, just about my whole life, and it’s encouraging to see a lot of the programs and social services share what they have to offer.’ Organizers of the health fair want to highlight the health services that are offered within the community.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42vCgct
RURAL HEALTH: Via Agweek, VERBATIM: “Make healthcare a priority. That was the message at the Rural Health Forum & Fair sponsored by Dodge County Public Health in cooperation with Dodge and Olmsted County Farmers Unions. Rodney Peterson, president of the Dodge County Farmers Union, said the event, which featured 14 vendors and two guest speakers, was the first of its kind.” PETERSON: “We believe that there's a big need for our rural people to have better health decisions and health outcomes,” Peterson said. “We brought a bunch of different vendors and speakers here today to tell us how to live a healthier life here in rural Dodge County.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4js1Ndg
FRESH15: The latest season of Fresh15 includes interviews with new Minnesota House members. So far, five new members have shared their goals, background and fun facts before they take office in a historic session this January.
Rep. Kari Rehrauer
Rep. Wayne Johnson
Rep. Julie Greene
Rep. Keith Allen
Rep. Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
RANSOMWARE: Via Bloomberg, VERBATIM: “DaVita Inc. said it has been impacted by ransomware that had locked down parts of its network. The company, which specializes in providing kidney dialysis to patients at more than 700 hospitals in the US, said in a statement Monday to the US Securities and Exchange Commission that the incident was impacting some of its operations.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42xC2RW
BEMIDJI: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “The Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC) has been holding their Tiny Tots Wellness Fair for the past several years. But as it keeps growing and growing, last weekend was the first time they’ve held it in the Sanford Center. ‘A lot of times parents are shocked at how many different resources cater to early childhood-aged kiddos and families,’ said BECC Board Member Kami Kelm. ‘And so walking through here, you can see there’s lots of different organizations that serve that population, and they’re shocked. Most people are surprised by how how much is here in our community to serve them.’ The purpose of the Tiny Tots fair is to gather all of those community resources in one place.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4lyGJ6Q
FASTING: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Although it may appear to be a new trend, intermittent fasting has been popular for over 1,500 years. While we know that it works for some people to lose weight, the reality is that whether or not it helps organs such as the heart is still to be determined. Early research presented at a recent scientific meeting suggested that intermittent fasting might be harmful or risky in general.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XWRhTe
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ALCOHOL: From Brown University via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “In a new study, researchers from the Brown University School of Public Health developed and tested an intervention called Counter-Attitudinal Advocacy (CAA). CAA involves advocating for a position that contradicts a personally held attitude or behavior. In this context, CAA targets positive perceptions of heavy drinking and the belief that alcohol is an essential part of college life.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3G8ueP7
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