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POLLING
HEART: Via University of Michigan, from a poll asking parents of teens about cardiac screening and emergency prep. VERBATIM: “Twenty percent of parents report their teen has been trained in CPR, and 7% say their teen has been trained to use an AED. Most parents (93%) say that if trained, they would want their teen to give CPR or use an AED in an emergency, although 34% would only want their teen to step in if nobody else was available. Parent concerns about their teen providing emergency services include the teen feeling guilty if the person died (63%), too much pressure on the teen (51%), legal liability (50%), or doing it wrong (39%).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3MB0ttV
ADVICE: Via Gallup, VERBATIM: “As digital health tools and artificial intelligence make medical information easily accessible to anyone, Americans’ first stop for medical advice remains decidedly traditional — their doctor. Nearly three-quarters of U.S. adults, 73%, say they turn to doctors or other medical professionals at a practice they regularly visit for medical information or advice, far exceeding reliance on any of the other 10 sources measured.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OulaYY
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
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)
HEALTH HEADLINES
HEALTHCARE $: Via Stateline, VERBATIM: “More than half of working-age adults get their health insurance through an employer, but in many states premium contributions and deductibles take a significant bite out of household incomes. A new analysis from the Commonwealth Fund, a research nonprofit focused on health care, found that in 2024, premium contributions and deductibles for family plans totaled 10% or more of the median household income in 19 states. The calculation did not include copayments.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rgmYmW
MORE: Via Commonwealth Fund, the full report including how Minnesota stacks up compared with other states. SEE: https://fluence-media.co/3MNYrqk
PHARMACIES: Via KMSP-TV, VERBATIM: “A 2026 report from the nonprofit Minnesota Independent Pharmacists warns that pharmacy closures are accelerating across the state, leading to an increase in ‘pharmacy deserts’ that lack adequate access to medications and essential health services . . . The report, titled ‘2026 State of the Indy,’ shows six Minnesota independent pharmacies closed in 2025, with three closing in 2026 so far.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/40d6Ma7
MEDTRONIC: Via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “Medtronic is launching more robots. Its new atrial fibrillation tech is taking off. Yet tariffs remain a hurdle. Tariffs are costing the company $185 million for its fiscal year that will end in April. For the next financial year, they will cost Medtronic around $300 million.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rt1EL6
DC + HEALTH
TRUMPRX: Via Rochester Post Bulletin, VERBATIM: “Earlier this month, President Donald Trump‘s administration launched the TrumpRx website, which lists marked-down prices for 43 prescription medications. More medications will be added in the future, per a White House press release. ‘Anything that brings prices down for consumers is beneficial,’ said Joel Farley, a pharmacist and professor in the University of Minnesota’s College of Pharmacy. ‘Though this may not necessarily benefit every single patient, particularly if they have insurance.’ For many of the drugs listed on the TrumpRx website, the discounted price comes through a coupon card that patients can print and bring to the pharmacy counter, similar to manufacturer’s coupons. In some cases, the prices listed on TrumpRx are just manufacturer’s coupons; the webpage for Zepbound, a weight loss medication available at a 72% discount, directs consumers to the deal on Eli Lilly’s website.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46PNQ4T
PRICES: Via KFF Health News, a look at a hospital price transparency policy implemented during the first Trump administration. VERBATIM: “Amid low compliance and other struggles in implementing the policy since it took effect in 2021, the available price data is sparse and often confusing. And instead of patients shopping for medical services, it’s mostly health systems and insurers using the little data there is, turning it into fodder for negotiations that determine what medical professionals and facilities get paid for what services.” QUOTE: “We use the transparency data,” said Eric Hoag, an executive at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, noting that the insurer wants to make sure providers aren’t being paid substantially different rates. It’s “to make sure that we are competitive, or, you know, more than competitive against other health plans.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kIpdNw
BABY FORMULA: Via The Wall Street Journal, VERBATIM: “When Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. summoned infant-formula executives to Washington last spring, he arrived with a list of questions about seed oils, heavy metals and how U.S. formula stacks up against Europe’s. Kennedy’s concerns echoed those of parents aligned with the ‘Make America Healthy Again’ movement as he prepared to launch ‘Operation Stork Speed,’ the Trump administration’s sweeping review of U.S. formula ingredients. Nearly a year later, the administration is unlikely to act on some of the more contentious priorities championed by MAHA activists, such as calling for the removal of seed oils from formula, according to people familiar with the matter. Since launching its review, the first federal effort of its kind in decades, the administration has grappled with the practicalities of overhauling one of the most tightly regulated sectors of the U.S. food industry, the people said.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/40le0J7
NIH: Via NBC News, VERBATIM: “The National Institutes of Health has, in large part, managed to withstand the Trump administration’s attempts to slash its budget and upend how it distributes grants, thanks to decisions from the courts and Congress. But the agency now faces a growing vacuum in leadership in its top ranks — one that offers the administration a highly unusual opportunity to reshape NIH to its vision. Of the 27 institutes and centers that make up NIH, 16 were missing permanent directors as of Friday, when staff received news of the latest departure.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0mi0d
FILLINGS: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The federal agency that provides health care to Native Americans and Alaska Natives has announced it will phase out the use of dental fillings containing mercury. The Indian Health Service has used fillings, known as dental amalgams, that contain elemental mercury to treat decayed and otherwise damaged teeth for decades. Native American rights and industry advocates have called for an end to the practice, arguing it exposes patients who may not have access to private dentistry to a harmful neurotoxin.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3OdLZRh
VA: Via Military.com. VERBATIM: “The Department of Veterans Affairs is looking to overhaul how dental care is delivered to eligible veterans through the community care program. The VA posted a request for proposals Feb. 10 for a new dental care administrator to build and manage a nationwide network of community dental providers.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4asKmq0
As Minnesota Legislators return to the Capitol, patients need their elected officials to support rural hospitals: Rural health care today is facing tremendous challenges, from treating older and sicker patients to navigating declining reimbursement and workforce shortages. But for people in rural Minnesota, having access to an urgent care clinic, cancer or preventative care in town is a lifeline. As the Minnesota legislature returns to the Capitol, patients need legislators to support policies that keep hospital doors open and healthcare accessible in greater Minnesota. Statewide, 18 hospitals are at risk of closing and 7 are at immediate risk of closing in the next 2-3 years. MORE: https://fluence-media.co/4kMcEko (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
INNOVATION
CANCER RESEARCH: Via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “Mayo Clinic collaborated with New Phase Ltd. to install the first magnetic nanoparticle-mediated hyperthermia machine for cancer research in the U.S. Hyperthermia is a procedure that uses heat to damage and kill cancer cells. The investigational machine will support research evaluating the safety, feasibility and potential effectiveness of this approach in cancer treatment.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4kGLrzb
ATHLETES: University of Minnesota linebacker Maverick Baranowski is one of four college athletes on the initial roster of brain fitness and mental wellness company Braintap. READ: https://fluence-media.co/4c0xHgy
MADELIA: Via KEYC-TV, VERBATIM: “Madelia Health announced on Monday, Feb. 16, that it has been designated by the Minnesota Department of Health as a level IV trauma hospital. David Walz, president of Madelia Health, said the designation comes after a year’s worth of review and training to make sure nurses and technicians were prepared to provide 24 hour coverage 7 days a week in case of emergencies.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4roTgwc
ABBOTT: From Abbott Northwestern via Facebook, VERBATIM: “One year of incredible progress is bringing us closer to welcoming our first patients to the Richard M. Schulze Surgical and Critical Care Center this fall/in August.” PHOTOS: https://fluence-media.co/3OncL9I
NEUROONE: Via Stock Titan, VERBATIM: “[Eden Prairie-based] NeuroOne Medical Technologies reported a net loss of $1.4 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, after earning $1.8 million in the prior-year period, mainly because last year included $3.0 million of one-time license revenue from its Zimmer agreement. Product revenue from its cleared neuromodulation devices was $2.9 million, down modestly from $3.3 million, and product gross margin slipped to 54.2% from 58.9% due to pricing mix and higher costs.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4aysv0X
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
ALZHEIMER’S: Via Karolinska Institutet, VERBATIM: “Researchers have identified two brain receptors that help the brain clear away amyloid beta, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. By stimulating these receptors in mice, scientists increased levels of a natural amyloid-breaking enzyme, reduced buildup in the brain, and improved memory-related behavior. Because these receptors are common drug targets, the findings could open the door to affordable pill-based treatments with fewer side effects.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/46d2zH2
TOXIC PRODUCE: Via Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, VERBATIM: “Researchers investigating crops grown in soil contaminated by the 2015 mining disaster in Brazil discovered that toxic metals are moving from the earth into edible plants. Bananas, cassava, and cocoa were found to absorb elements like lead and cadmium, with bananas showing a potential health risk for children under six.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4rXTn1D
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