In this reaction-focused episode, host Blois Olson is joined by Mary Krinkie of the Minnesota Hospital Association to lead a deep-dive conversation with two of the state's most influential healthcare policymakers: Senator Matt Klein (DFL, District 53) and Representative Danny Nadeau (R, District 34A).

As Minnesota navigates a shifting healthcare landscape marked by federal funding cuts and a rising number of legislative retirements, our guests debate a critical question: Does Minnesota need a new healthcare plan?.

Host Jim Schowalter is joined by Joe Schindler (VP of Finance, MN Hospital Association), Lucas Nesse (President/CEO, Minnesota Health Plans) and Anne Neu Brindley (Policy Director, Minnesota Business Partnership) to examine how Minnesota and other states are uniquely positioned to lead healthcare innovation in the face of federal uncertainty. The conversation explores the shifting dynamics between federal regulation and state-level enforcement, as well as the critical role of state funding in maintaining public health systems.

Blois Olson leads a critical discussion on the evolving relationship between Minnesota's healthcare payers and providers. As the industry faces mounting financial pressures and shifting care models, this episode examines how collaboration—and friction—between these two pillars is shaping the future of patient care. Blois is joined by Jeremy Drucker (Assistant Commissioner, MMB), Libby Callum (CEO, MNSure) and Tom Lindquist (CSO, Medica).

In this episode, Blois Olson looks into why rural health care is struggling and what can be done to help rural Minnesotans with Dr. Carrie Henning-Smith (Associate Professor, UMN School of Public Health), Rhonda Kazik, DNP, RN, CENP, FAAN (Chief Nurse Executive, Essentia) and John Fox (Secretary and Treasurer, MN Ambulance Association & Director, Dodge Center Ambulance).