HYGIENE KITS: From UCare via Instagram, VERBATIM: “In recognition of Black History Month, our Mosaic Connections employee resource group members lend a hand by packing hygiene kits with @ceap_mn. These kits will be provided to families in need in our community.” WATCH: https://fluence-media.co/4hTq0Jh (SPONSORED: UCare)
POLL: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “Most President Trump voters say they oppose any cuts to Medicaid as Republican lawmakers wrestle with how to reach up to $2 trillion in budget cuts through their reconciliation bill, a poll released Monday found. The poll from Hart Research conducted for the nonprofit Families Over Billionaires, which advocates in opposition to tax cuts for the wealthy, found 71 percent of voters who backed Trump said cutting Medicaid would be unacceptable. Voters overall were even more opposed to it, with 82 percent saying so.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4icBzeg
PROBLEMS: Via Pew, VERBATIM: “At the start of President Donald Trump’s second term, Americans see a host of economic issues – from inflation to the affordability of health care and the federal budget deficit – as top problems facing the country . . . Today, 63% say inflation is a very big problem for the country. This is comparable to last May and down from a high of 70% in 2022. At the same time, the share of adults who say the affordability of health care is a very big national problem has risen 10 percentage points since last year: Today, 67% say this, up from 57% in 2024.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4i9BSq0
MENTAL HEALTH: Via Ipsos, VERBATIM: “The 2025 NAMI/Ipsos Workplace Mental Health Poll reveals full-time workers at companies with at least 100 employees believe discussing mental health at work is important, but they need more resources to feel comfortable doing so. Moreover, employees generally support colleagues' mental health concerns but are more hesitant to discuss their own, indicating persistent stigma. Two in five respondents worry their career would be negatively impacted if they talked about their mental health concerns in the workplace; women, caregivers, and LGBTQ+ employees are particularly vulnerable to burnout.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3D6tDwd
Check out all the episodes of Sunday Take on 830 WCCO. CLICK: https://fluence-media.co/3KsuDrZ
IMMIGRANTS: Via NPR, VERBATIM: “Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, fear of mass deportations carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has gripped immigrant communities. For years, a long-standing policy prevented federal immigration agents from making arrests at or near sensitive locations, including schools, places of worship, hospitals and health centers. It was one of the first policies President Trump rolled back in January, just hours after his inauguration. Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamine Huffman revoked the directive on Jan. 21. In an accompanying press release, a DHS spokesperson said the action would assist agents in searching for immigrants who have committed crimes.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4gX2KZp
VA: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Department of Veterans Affairs on Monday fired another 1,400 employees amid outcry over a lack of transparency from the agency after 1,000 workers were axed earlier this month. The VA said the individuals dismissed were ‘non-mission critical’ probationary employees who have served less than two years, according to a department statement. The agency defined the non-mission critical positions as those that were diversity, inclusion and equity-related, ‘among other roles.’” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F4wPZI
FDA: Via The New York Times, VERBATIM: “The Food and Drug Administration has reinstated dozens of specialized employees involved in food safety, review of medical devices and other areas who were laid off last week, according to more than a dozen workers who got called back. The total number of employees recalled was not immediately clear. But a person familiar with the conversations said nearly all of the roughly 180 medical division employees who had been let go would get their jobs back.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QCAfFP
FRIDAY: From Susan Murphy via Mayo Clinic, VERBATIM: “February 28 is Rare Disease Day, a time to recognize the millions of people worldwide living with conditions that often go undiagnosed or untreated. In the U.S., a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 people. More than 7,000 rare diseases have been identified, many of them genetic. These conditions can affect vital organs, the nervous system, the immune system and other critical functions. At Mayo Clinic's Center for Individualized Medicine, researchers and clinicians are advancing precision medicine to improve diagnoses and develop treatments once thought impossible.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4bjl4us
ESSENTIA HEALTH NURSES ARE A VALUED PART OF OUR PATIENT CARE: Acute care nurses in the Duluth area earn $100,000 on average, working just four days a week. In fact, 94% of these nurses choose to work part-time because Essentia Health offers full benefits starting at 24 hours a week. Our nurses overwhelmingly choose to remain at Essentia Health, bucking national turnover trends. To join our team at Essentia Health, search for openings HERE: https://fluence-media.co/3D5rO2s (SPONSORED: Essentia Health)
TOMORROW: Via Minnesota Medical Association, a news conference at the Capitol to talk about the Treat Yourself First Campaign. VERBATIM: “In 2024, the MMA convened an advisory committee of healthcare professional associations to guide development of a campaign to address the stigma for healthcare workers seeking mental health care.” MORE: https://fluence-media.co/3CWAfxf
SUPCT: Via The Hill, VERBATIM: “The Supreme Court on Monday scheduled arguments for April 21 in a case that could decide the legality of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) requirement that insurers cover certain preventive services. In a surprising move, the Trump administration said it will continue the Biden White House’s defense of that requirement.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QA57Xu
ABORTION: Via Associated Press, VERBATIM: “The Supreme Court refused Monday to hear a pair of cases from abortion opponents who say laws limiting anti-abortion demonstrations near clinics violate their First Amendment rights. The majority did not explain their reasoning for turning down the appeals, as is typical, but two conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, disagreed. The cities said the laws were passed to address disturbing behavior from protesters outside of health care clinics. But anti-abortion activists said the measures violate free-speech rights and should be on their ‘deathbed’ after the justices overturned Roe v. Wade and the nationwide right to abortion.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QyyIAr
HEART: Via MDH, VERBATIM: “During American Heart Month in February, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is encouraging people to focus on their heart health and learn how they score on eight key strategies for lowering their risk for heart disease and stroke.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3XfWPri
From morning take…
MEDICAID: DFL Rep. Betty McCollum responded to the news, seen in yesterday’s morning take, that 14 Republicans in the state legislature sent a letter to federal officials asking them to reconsider proposed Medicaid funding cuts. McCOLLUM: “Thanks to the 14 GOP Minnesota Legislators who recognize the damage the U.S. House GOP budget would cause. It’s wrong to cut Medicaid — a healthcare lifeline for over a million Minnesota seniors, disabled, and children — to give more tax breaks to billionaires like Elon Musk.” TWEET: https://fluence-media.co/4bn9KO7
Sign up for morning take…
WINTER: From Mike Moen via Minnesota News Connection, VERBATIM: “Minnesota is in the depths of extremely cold and occasionally snowy weather this February. These familiar winter conditions might have some feeling down, and experts caution it’s not something to ignore. The term winter blues gets thrown around this time of year. However, researchers say for some, it can be a serious concern, noting up to 6% of the U.S. population suffers from seasonal affective disorder.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3F7sapS
COMMUNITY HEALTH: Via MHA, VERBATIM: “Minnesota’s non-profit hospitals and health systems are built on a simple but profound commitment: caring for the whole patient and strengthening the entire community. That commitment was on full display in 2023, as hospitals and health systems invested $6.2 billion in programs and services designed to improve the health and well-being of Minnesotans, according to the latest Community Impact Report from the Minnesota Hospital Association (MHA). These investments extend far beyond hospital walls. They address the root causes of illness, expand access to care, and ensure that every Minnesotan, regardless of their ability to pay, receives the care they need.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4ifdbZC
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.-Elect Kari Rehauer
Rep.-Elect Wayne Johnson
Rep. Elect Julie Greene
Rep. Elect Keith Allen
Rep. Elect Peter Johnson
Follow on your favorite podcast platform, or at www.TheDailyAgenda.com/Podcasts. (SPONSORED: Minnesota Telecom Alliance)
MEDTRONIC: From Victor Stefanescu via Star Tribune, VERBATIM: “After decades of development and trials, Medtronic has secured U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for adaptive technology personalizing treatment of Parkinson’s symptoms using advanced stimulation deep in the brain. On Monday, the Fridley-run company announced the regulatory win for its BrainSense Adaptive deep brain stimulation in a thin, surgically implanted neurostimulator in the chest with leads stretching through the neck to the brain.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3CVJduJ
ANEURYSM: Via Essentia, VERBATIM: “Up until Aug. 15, 2023, Arden Shulstad had never been hospitalized. Outside of mild arthritis and taking blood pressure pills, the 67-year-old Vergas, Minnesota, resident felt like he was ‘the healthiest guy in the world.’ But Shulstad began to experience a new and unusual symptom — constipation for almost a week straight. It prompted him to meet with his primary care provider, Garrett Penton, a certified physician assistant practicing family medicine at the Essentia Health St. Mary's-Detroit Lakes Clinic. ‘Garrett was sharp enough to run some blood work which showed that my white blood count was down,’ explained Shulstad. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed that Shulstad had developed an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3Xi2QUp
(DISCLOSURE: Essentia is a Fluence Media sponsor)
ULTRASOUND: Via Allina, VERBATIM: “Allina Health Neuroscience, Spine and Pain Institute is now offering focused ultrasound for patients with essential tremor and tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Abbott Northwestern Hospital is the second hospital in the Upper Midwest to perform this treatment and the only facility in the Twin Cities.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/41gKrZj
NEXTGEN: From Trent Abrego via St. Cloud Live, VERBATIM: “As a child, Naimo Abdullahi rarely saw doctors who looked like her. Now, the 20-year-old St. Cloud native hopes to change that for the next young girl by becoming a doctor herself. Abdullahi was one of several dozen aspiring doctors who gathered in St. Cloud on Saturday, Feb. 22, to take the first step toward medical school. Abdullahi is studying psychology at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and hopes to return to her hometown for medical school.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/3QzTorL
MAYO: From Liz Fedor via Twin Cities Business, VERBATIM: “Richard Davis, former CEO of Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, will serve a four-year term as chair of the Mayo Clinic board of trustees. Davis, who joined the Mayo board in 2017, was elected chair of the board for a term that began Friday.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hTYevZ
FORUM: If you’re interested in having the Fluence Forum host a topic, please contact Blois Olson at bloisolson@gmail.com
HORMONES: From The Endocrine Society via Science Daily, VERBATIM: “Hormones may be leveraged to treat and prevent signs of aging such as wrinkles and hair graying, according to a new study published in the Endocrine Society journal Endocrine Reviews. Until now, only a limited number of hormones, mainly topical retinoids (retinol and tretinoin) and estrogen which is typically used to treat side effects of menopause, have been used in clinical practice as anti-skin aging compounds. This study reviews a new class of hormones and their anti-aging properties.” READ: https://fluence-media.co/4hSNDBH
Copyright © 2025 Fluence Media, All rights reserved.
You signed up or are media / a public official interested in health care news from Fluence Media.
Our mailing address is:
Fluence Media
PO Box 270031
Minneapolis, MN 55427