HEALTHMOBILE: From UCare via Instagram, VERBATIM: “Anoka County, we’ve got your back! The dynamic duo of UCare and M Health Fairview were at it once again protecting attendees of the Community Connect Event with free flu shots and health screenings aboard UCare’s Healthmobile. Cheers to a healthy winter!” SEE: https://fluence-media.co/4o975wZ (SPONSORED: UCare)
All Fluence tipsheets are now available to read and share online at our website, The Daily Agenda:
POLL: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “New polling has found that the majority of voters say health care in the U.S. is unaffordable and are open to a health insurance system that doesn’t tie coverage to employment . . . The survey found that 69 percent of voters believe that health care is not affordable today, with that figure remaining relatively consistent across parties. Thirty-five percent of participants said they currently owed money or have debt due to medical or dental expenses. The same percentage said they had skipped or delayed medical care in the last year due to fears of medical debt.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47dy18V
MORE: Via Fierce Healthcare, VERBATIM: “When asked who they blame most for the issue of medical debt, 63% pointed their finger at insurance companies (70% among Democrats, 62% among Republicans and 59% among independents). Overall, 12% primarily blamed pharmaceutical companies, 9% hospitals and 2% doctors.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47HwF6x
OBESITY: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “After peaking at a record high of 39.9% in 2022, the U.S. adult obesity rate has gradually declined to 37.0% in 2025. This is a statistically meaningful decrease representing an estimated 7.6 million fewer obese adults compared with three years ago. Meanwhile, diagnoses of diabetes — a lifetime disease that can be managed but not cured — have now reached an all-time high of 13.8%. Both metrics are part of the ongoing Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index.”
“The most recent results are based on combined data from three nationally representative surveys of 16,946 U.S. adults interviewed by web in the first three quarters of 2025 using the probability-based Gallup Panel. Gallup uses respondents’ self-reported height and weight to calculate body mass index (BMI) and subsequent weight classes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3J6HGoH
TECH: Via KFF, VERBATIM: “About eight in ten adults ages 65 and older with Medicare say they have used a health care app or website in the past year, and the large majority say using these tools made it easier to manage their health care. This may be seen as encouraging sign for the ‘Make Health Tech Great Again’ initiative announced by President Trump and CMS Director Dr. Oz announced earlier this year, which aims to partner with dozens of companies to increase the availability and use of digital health tools, including apps. But one in ten older adults with Medicare say that these digital health tools make managing their care more difficult.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/42YZGYL
DISABILITIES: Via University of Michigan, VERBATIM: “Most people over 50 were already adults when the Americans with Disabilities Act took effect in 1992 and transformed the rights of people with physical and mental conditions. Now, a poll finds that — even if they have conditions covered by the ADA — many older adults may not think of themselves as disabled or identify as a person with disability. It also finds that most with these conditions do not ask for assistance or accommodations when they get health care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4oLXn3Q
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
CUTS: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Medicaid cuts and new work requirements in the Big Beautiful Bill Act are projected to leave about 140,000 Minnesotans without health care coverage, according to state Department of Human Services statistics. That prospect has the operators of the state’s largest publicly-funded hospital concerned about its long-term viability.” QUOTE: “We’re vulnerable on a good day and in good economic conditions,” said Dr. Tom Klemond, interim CEO of Hennepin Healthcare. “We struggle to meet our costs, to cover our costs and generally need assistance to, so the bill itself is catastrophic. Especially in the longer term.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Lk7n5H
MEDICARE ADVANTAGE: Via KFF, VERBATIM: “With Medicare’s annual open enrollment period underway, a new KFF analysis finds that Medicare Advantage enrollees, on average, had access to just under half (48%) of the physicians in their area who were available to people enrolled in traditional Medicare. The finding illustrates a key tradeoff for beneficiaries in choosing Medicare Advantage. Such plans can be appealing to beneficiaries because they offer extra benefits and cap out-of-pocket costs without the need for supplemental coverage. But the plans’ provider networks, which help insurers manage utilization and costs, also restrict enrollees’ choice of physicians, hospitals, and other providers without paying additional cost.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hwBkeR
MORE: HBO’s Last Week Tonight reported on Medicare Advantage and “why it basically has all the pitfalls of private insurance, and the economic significance of novelty slippers.” Via YouTube, WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4oNbvd7
STILLBIRTHS: Via The Washington Post, VERBATIM: “Despite advances in prenatal care, stillbirths in the United States are far more common than previously reported, with a significant number of them striking without warning. A sweeping analysis of nearly 2.8 million pregnancies finds that nearly 19,000 stillbirths occurred between 2016 and 2022, a rate higher than recorded in federal data. The study published Monday shows that nearly 30 percent of stillbirths occurred in pregnancies that did not appear linked to any previously identified health or clinical risks. The study also finds that stillbirth continued to fall unevenly along racial and socioeconomic lines, with Black families and poorer communities being hit hardest.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nsMEtU
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)
TYLENOL: Via ABC News, VERBATIM: “Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the makers of Tylenol, Johnson & Johnson and Kenvue, claiming that they deceptively marketed the over-the-counter medication to pregnant women despite alleged links to autism and other disorders. ‘Big Pharma betrayed America by profiting off of pain and pushing pills regardless of the risks,’ Paxton said in a statement on Tuesday. ‘These corporations lied for decades, knowingly endangering millions to line their pockets. ... By holding Big Pharma accountable for poisoning our people, we will help Make America Healthy Again.’ This is the first lawsuit from a state government since President Donald Trump claimed last month that Tylenol use during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of autism, despite limited evidence to suggest an association.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3WstYzy
COVID VACCINES: From University of Florida via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “Researchers found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines significantly increased survival in lung and skin cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The vaccine appears to prime the immune system in a powerful, nonspecific way, enhancing cancer treatment outcomes. If confirmed, the discovery could lead to a universal cancer vaccine and transform oncology care.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hBnYOy
ABORTION: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin resumed scheduling abortions on Monday after a nearly monthlong pause due to federal Medicaid funding cuts in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that took effect at the beginning of October. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin said it was able to resume scheduling abortions as of noon on Monday because it no longer fits the definition of a ‘prohibited entity’ under the new federal law that took effect this month and can receive Medicaid funds.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4odEerD
OKTOBERFEST: Via Lakeland PBS, VERBATIM: “Central Lakes College in Brainerd put their own spin on Oktoberfest last Wednesday for OctSoberFest. Held during National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week, the event was about promoting responsibility, whether that’s through practicing sobriety or just being aware of what you’re consuming during a night out.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3Wv0JvR
SHUTDOWN: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The largest union of federal workers called on Monday for Congress to pass a spending bill to immediately end the government shutdown, effectively siding with President Trump and Republicans who have opposed Democratic efforts to restore health care spending.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/43oBeQT
GOP PLAN: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Monday said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) is working with the chairs of three House committees to compile a Republican health care plan as the government shutdown nears the one-month mark and Democrats demand action on expiring ObamaCare subsidies. ‘Republicans have been working on a fix for health care, we’ve been doing this for years,’ Johnson said in a press conference on Monday when asked about the coming ‘health care cliff.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47sViCJ
ICE: Via Politico, VERBATIM: “Federal immigration authorities say they no longer have to provide on-demand access to detention facilities for members of Congress. The reason? The government shutdown. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials, who have been fighting a lawsuit brought by Democratic lawmakers over prior denied visit attempts, have informed lawmakers that they simply don’t have the staff or funding to support those visits.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3LwIwM0
DESPITE THE CHALLENGES OF RURAL HEALTH CARE, ESSENTIA IS RECOGNIZED FOR PROVIDING TOP CLINICAL CARE: According to the latest report from Minnesota Community Measurement, a statewide resource on health care quality, costs and equity, Essentia ranked as a high performer with 19 of 20 clinical quality metrics scoring above statewide averages. According to Dr. Maria Beaver, chief quality and patient safety officer at Essentia: “This is a testament to the amazing care provided by all our clinical care teams and all our colleagues who support them.” LEARN MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4dCxy1D (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
DIET: Via CNN, VERBATIM: “The Trump administration is delaying the release of new national dietary guidelines after the government shutdown disrupted efforts to finalize the overhaul by the end of October, officials said. The US Department of Health and Human Services and US Department of Agriculture are now tentatively targeting December for publishing the highly anticipated nutrition advice, which is expected to make major changes to the government recommendations for a healthy diet.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4qx8xLl
BANS: Via Axios, VERBATIM: “Big food companies are working with conservative strategists to build support for national standards that would preempt the state bans on dyes and additives that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is promoting. Why it matters: The new food and beverage coalition, which includes companies like PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz, could expose cracks between Trump-aligned business interests and Kennedy’s ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hx8hYs
MAPLE GROVE: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “There’s a big celebration happening at North Memorial Health – Maple Grove Hospital. It’s a birthday party for a robot — but not just any robot. The hospital is honoring its da Vinci Surgical System, which the hospital has had on hand for 10 years now. It’s also celebrating 6,000 surgeries using the system. The da Vinci system can handle a variety of specialties, including urology and gynecology, two of surgeon Dr. Anna McNanley’s specialties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hx0ZnR
NEXTGEN: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “First-year students at the Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Arizona and Rochester participated in stethoscope ceremonies this fall. The stethoscope ceremony marks more than the beginning of medical training; it recognizes each student’s commitment to the heart of medicine. The simple device of the stethoscope, unchanged for more than a century, has been used across generations to listen to patients and understand their stories. It is both a tool of the profession and a symbol of a physician’s responsibility.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4nogsrp
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)
BROOKLYN CENTER: Via CCX Media, VERBATIM: “Crescent Cove in Brooklyn Center is one of only three pediatric palliative care homes in the nation — and the only one in the Midwest — providing respite and end-of-life care for children with shortened life expectancies and their families. ‘When life is short, love is endless,’ said Mary Gaasch, executive director of Crescent Cove. ‘We surround each family with care and compassion.’ Gaasch said Crescent Cove is expanding its support beyond the children it serves to include the entire family through sibling camps, parent retreats and community events.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/3JA7SrR
BREAST CANCER: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a key reason why certain breast cancers might not respond to an important new class of therapeutics called antibody drug conjugates (ADCs). These treatments pair an antibody that targets cancer cells with a strong chemotherapy drug. For many patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (HER2+) breast cancers, ADCs such as trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd) have dramatically improved outcomes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47dAJeB
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
GLP-1: From The Endocrine Society via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes and obesity, may also curb addictive behaviors by acting on reward circuits in the brain. Early trials show reductions in alcohol intake, opioid seeking, and nicotine use. Though more research is needed, scientists believe these drugs could open a powerful new front in addiction therapy.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/47vuO3t
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