Erica Zurek

“I did a lot of work around health equity and reducing health disparities. I saw what the numbers looked like for people that looked like me or people that did not have a lot of health literacy,” Maalimisaq said. “I know what it feels like to sit in that chair and not feel comfortable.”

Rising costs and fewer options for 2026 Minnesota Medicare plans A combination of rising costs and fewer Medicare Advantage insurers is prompting an unprecedented number of Minnesotans to review their options for 2026.

A combination of rising costs and fewer Medicare Advantage insurers is prompting an unprecedented number of Minnesotans to review their options for 2026.

Facing ‘perfect storm,’ strained Minnesota food banks brace for impact of SNAP funding halt Food bank leaders say they’re navigating a drop in giving at the same time need is picking up. A massive surge in demand could be on the way.

Food bank leaders in Minnesota say they’re navigating a drop in giving at the same time need is picking up. A massive surge in demand could be on the way if SNAP faces cuts from the government shutdown.

Study: We're losing the war against drug-resistant infections faster than we thought Antimicrobial resistance is responsible for some 1.2 million deaths a year a year and contributes to millions more. Data in the new report shows that the problem is growing at an alarming rate.

Antimicrobial resistance is responsible for some 1.2 million deaths a year a year and contributes to millions more. Data in the new report shows that the problem is growing at an alarming rate. n.pr/3J0HVBC

Trump Canceled 94 Million Pounds of Food Aid. Here’s What Never Arrived. ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the administration’s cut...

NEW: ProPublica obtained records from the Department of Agriculture that detail the millions of pounds of food, down to the number of eggs, that never reached food banks because of the Trump administration’s cuts to an aid program.

Minnesota health insurance premiums will rise sharply in 2026 The Minnesota Department of Commerce has released the final rates for individual and small group health insurance plans for 2026. The average premium increase on the individual market will go up 22 pe...

The Minnesota Department of Commerce has released the final rates for individual and small group health insurance plans for 2026. The average premium increase on the individual market will go up 22 percent, while the small group market sees a 14 percent increase.

Vaccine confusion? 5 Minnesota questions, answered Minnesotans may be struggling to navigate a blizzard of state and federal news last week around vaccines, who should get them and when. Here are some answers to key questions about what’s happening.

Do you have questions about vaccine recommendations and changes? After a flurry of state and federal news last week around vaccines and who should get them, Minnesotans may be struggling to keep up. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Meet the interpreters improving access for Deaf Indigenous people The Indigenous Interpreters Organization works to support Indigenous ASL interpreters as a means of improving interpreting for Deaf Indigenous people.

The Indigenous Interpreters Organization works to support Indigenous ASL interpreters as a means of meeting the need and improving interpreting for Deaf Indigenous people. They work to educate the interpreting community about the need for culturally informed interpreting.

Trump blames Tylenol for autism. Science doesn't back him up President Trump and his deputies tied autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy, presented a cancer drug as a possible treatment, and said the FDA would change labeling to reflect both claims. There is little strong scientific evidence for either.

UPDATE: President Trump and his deputies tied autism to acetaminophen use during pregnancy, presented a cancer drug as a possible treatment, and said the FDA would change labeling to reflect both claims. There is little strong scientific evidence for either.

USDA cancels survey tracking how many Americans struggle to get enough food The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

The Department of Agriculture said it will end a longstanding annual food insecurity survey. Experts say the move will obscure the effects of recent changes that will lead to people losing food aid.

$10 Million in Contraceptives Have Been Destroyed on Orders From Trump Officials The birth control pills, IUDs and hormonal implants were purchased by U.S.A.I.D. for women in low-income countries. They had been in limbo in a Belgian warehouse after the U.S. cut much of its foreign aid.

Millions of dollars worth of contraceptives destined for low-income countries were destroyed at the direction of the Trump administration.

Walz counters federal vaccine moves with state-level order to maintain broad access Minnesota moves to maintain access to vaccines after federal guidance last week ordered limitations on who has access to the COVID-19 booster shot.

The order directs the Minnesota Department of Health to work with other state agencies to identify, review and remove barriers to vaccine access to the “fullest extent permitted by law.”

Helping kids feel safe after the Minneapolis mass shooting Many parents are worried about how their children will cope with the mass shooting. Sarah Jerstad, psychologist and medical director of outpatient mental health services at Children's Minnesota, share...

As details of the mass shooting in Minneapolis continue to emerge, many parents are worried about how children will cope. Sarah Jerstad, psychologist and medical director of outpatient mental health services at Children's Minnesota, shared how to help children process and manage their feelings.

Minnesota health insurance premiums set to rise in 2026 Federal Affordable Care Act subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year, increasing costs for many Minnesotans.

Preliminary filings show that insurers are seeking average premium increases ranging from 7 percent to 26 percent for 2026 plans on the individual market, and between 7 percent and 17 percent on the small group market.

Senate Probe Uncovers Allegations of Widespread Abuse in ICE Custody Led by US senator Jon Ossoff, the investigation cites hundreds of reports since January, including accounts of miscarriages, child neglect, and sexual abuse at ICE detention centers in dozens of state...

A United States Senate investigation has identified more than 500 credible reports of human rights abuses in US immigration detention since January, including alarming allegations of mistreatment of pregnant women and children.

Federal grant cuts upend life-saving research, careers at UMN Federal grant cuts have had a wide-ranging impact at the University of Minnesota, affecting everything from life-saving research, to undergraduate opportunities, to the pipeline of future scholars and...

As of July 17, nearly 100 federal grants totaling more than $20 million in outstanding funds have been terminated or suspended at the University of Minnesota.

Written by @bzosiad.bsky.social and Shubanjana Das

Minnesota blood center declares blood emergency due to shortage Memorial Blood Centers says the state’s blood supply has dropped below a two-day inventory. A seven-day supply is needed to meet the demands of hospitals and patients.

A Minnesota blood center has declared a blood emergency due to a shortage throughout the state.

More from Erica Zurek (@ericazurek.bsky.social)

Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits A STAT Investigation: Inside the research machine that helps UnitedHealth protect its Medicare profits.

Medicare Advantage is costing taxpayers $550 billion this year. UnitedHealth Group and a web of business partners have built a research apparatus — replete with flawed studies and papers — to push back against critics and ward off attempts at MA reform. www.statnews.com/2025/08/11/u...

“$9.7 million worth of contraceptives could have provided pregnancy prevention for more than 650,000 people for up to one year, and for 950,000 people for three to 10 years, depending on the method.”

Little evidence of a COVID-19 ‘summer surge’ so far in Minnesota National data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are showing increases in COVID-19 activity. But data from the state’s health department show continued low numbers of COVID-19 hospita...

Hospitalization and mortality data from the Minnesota Department of Health do not signal a COVID-19 flare-up in the state so far this summer. U of MN wastewater measurements of the disease, however, are trending upward.

www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... by @craigstetter.bsky.social via @mprnews.org

Minnesota broadcasters brace for ‘catastrophic’ impact of federal funding cuts Minnesota public broadcasters brace for the impact of losing $17 million in Corporation for Public Broadcasting funds following the passage of the rescission bill in Congress.

For smaller stations in Minnesota, federal dollars make up a more significant share of their budgets. Twelve broadcasters get more than 30 percent of their funding from the CPB.

Trump administration hands over nation's Medicaid enrollee data, including addresses, to ICE U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials will gain access to personally identifiable information for all of the nation’s 79 million Medicaid enrollees.

BREAKING: ICE officials will gain access to personally identifiable information for all Medicaid enrollees, according to an agreement obtained by the AP.

Judge hears motion to dismiss suit challenging Minnesota abortion law A federal judge Friday heard a motion to dismiss a suit brought last year by a group of plaintiffs arguing that Minnesota laws protecting access to abortion are unconstitutional.

The defendants maintain that abortion is a legitimate form of medical care, not an infringement on parental rights.

Trump cuts gut family nutrition education program in Minnesota, slash 60 jobs Funding for SNAP-Ed, the educational piece of the nationwide federal food assistance program, was completely eliminated in the massive Trump administration spending bill recently signed into law. One ...

Funding for SNAP-Ed, the educational piece of the nationwide federal food assistance program, was completely eliminated in the massive Trump administration spending bill recently signed into law. One local leader says it will cause serious harm to Minnesota families.

Up to 250,000 Minnesotans could lose coverage under federal Medicaid cuts 1 in 5 Minnesotans could lose health coverage under federal Medicaid cuts. Aside from direct impacts to Medical Assistance recipients, local providers warn the cuts mean healthcare costs could go up f...

1 in 5 Minnesotans could lose health coverage under federal Medicaid cuts outlined in a package Trump signed into law on July 4. Aside from direct impacts to Medical Assistance recipients, local providers warn the cuts mean healthcare costs could go up for others in the state.

Minneapolis renovation uncovers century-old Gold Medal Flour advertisement A Minneapolis couple discovered a giant advertisement for Gold Medal Flour on the side of their house during a home renovation project. Now, the owners are balancing preserving the historical gem with...

To his surprise, George Johnson discovered a giant advertisement for Gold Medal Flour covering an entire wall on the south side of the house, hidden beneath what appeared to be the original lap siding.

Minnesota gender-affirming care law unchanged after Supreme Court ruling Despite a Supreme Court ruling Wednesday, gender-affirming medical care remains legal and protected in Minnesota.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled to uphold Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for adolescents under the age of 18. The ruling does not have an immediate impact on Minnesota law. Gender-affirming care remains legal and protected in the state. www.mprnews.org/story/2025/0... @mprnews.org

Shattered Science: The Research Lost as Trump Targets NIH Funding The Trump administration cut research funding that sought cures for future pandemics, examined the causes of dementia and tried to prevent HIV transmission. More than 150 researchers shared with…

NEW: The Trump administration cut research funding that sought cures for future pandemics, examined the causes of dementia and tried to prevent HIV transmission.

ProPublica heard from more than 150 researchers to understand the work that’s been lost.

Veterans with PTSD turn to the outdoors to improve mental health Spending time engaging in outdoor recreation is known to improve general health and well-being. And research shows that veterans, in particular, benefit from outdoor activities as part of a complement...

Research shows that veterans, in particular, benefit from outdoor activities as part of a complementary approach to treating mental health. Studies indicate that outdoor recreation and multi-day wilderness trips can reduce symptoms of PTSD, anxiety and depression.

Diseases are spreading. The CDC isn't warning the public like it was months ago Some of the CDC's main channels for communicating urgent health information to the public have gone silent.

Some of the CDC's main channels for communicating urgent health information to the public have gone silent.