Mobile Healthcare Services Hits Minneapolis Streets

Minneapolis residents are getting easier access to healthcare. Then, an independent review of how officials handled attacks on state lawmakers. And, federal budget cuts force a public TV station in Northern Minnesota to cancel a marquee local program.
—–Executive Producer: Victor Palomino Producer: Yonci JamesonAnchor: Chantel SinGsReader scripting: Victor Palomino Fact checking: Joel Glaser, Victor Palomino Editorial support: Emily Krumberger Mixing & mastering: Chris Harwood

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Transcript

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HOST: You're listening to North Star Stories: Voices from Where We Live, a daily newscast about what it means to live in Minnesota.

ANCHOR: In today's stories, an independent review of how officials handled attacks on Minnesota lawmakers. Then, how Minneapolis residents are getting easier access to healthcare, and federal budget cuts force a public TV station in Northern Minnesota to cancel a marquee local program.

I'm Chantel SinGs.

State and local agencies investigating the June 14 attacks on Minnesota lawmakers have asked the International Association of Chiefs of Police to conduct an independent after-action review.
The report will examine the 43-hour manhunt that ended with the arrest of Vance Boelter, who is charged with killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, and shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. The review will evaluate how agencies mobilized, coordinated and communicated during the multi-agency response. It's expected to take about six months, and the findings will be made public.

Next, a mobile medical unit has hit the streets of Minneapolis, partnering with local organizations to combat the opioid crisis and provide free healthcare services for all. Reporter Yonci has the story.

Yonci Jameson: A Mobile Medical Unit is on the move in Minneapolis with the goal of expanding access to medications and treatment. The Mobile Medical Unit reduces opioid overdoses and promotes long term recovery for those who need it most. MJ is a nurse on board the medical unit.

MJ: We got a couple of spaces up here. This is our little mini medical room, medical exam table, our doctor's chair, just like it. And then other supplies.

Yonci Jameson: With an emphasis on addiction treatment, the Mobile Medical Unit will also offer basic health screenings, medication consultations and dental care.

MJ: So blood sugar, blood pressure, if they have any type of medical concern. A lot of this nursing, it's nursing triage. It's like, where can we get you seen to address the comprehensive needs that you have?

Yonci Jameson: Other programs like the University of Minnesota's Mobile Health Initiative serve Greater Minnesota and are run by medical student and staff volunteers. The new Mobile Medical Unit serves Minneapolis, operating four days a week.

MJ: We're in the same places every week for at least a couple of weeks, so we can tell people, hey, we'll be back next week.

Yonci Jameson: At this time, as the seasons change, unit staff are preparing to address the health concerns that come with cold weather.

MJ: So as far as right now, what the needs are, we're seeing it's starting to get colder, a lot of skin concerns, a lot of wound care. So we've really focused on getting our supplies ready to accommodate for that.

Yonci Jameson: Funded with money from the National Opiate Response settlement, the Mobile Medical Unit requires no payment or insurance for those accessing services and is staffed by a full-time clinical team, including Tony, a peer recovery specialist.

Tony: We're out on the streets. You know, we see people. We're trying to meet them where they are, and so we're seeing people that are, you know, they have the blanket draped over their shoulder and they're in use.

Yonci Jameson: The Mobile Medical Unit partners with local organizations, parking outside businesses in areas with high health disparities, like Little Earth and North Minneapolis.

Tony: We're trying to get that medication to people when they're ready for it. We're here for them, and that's kind of the biggest thing. And so it's anything other—any little thing you can do, addressing a wound with a smile. It's kind of, kind of what we're trying to do.

Yonci Jameson: In addition to physical wellness, the team tends to people's mental health as well, leading with humanity and kindness.

Tony: Being able to see them as a person and not as anything else, is something that we all strive to do, I think. And so showing kindness to people. What other people wouldn't, you know?

Yonci Jameson: Request the Mobile Medical Unit and see the location schedule at MinneapolisMN.gov. This is Yonci for North Star Stories.

Anchor: You are listening to North Star Stories.

Lakeland Public Broadcasting Service, also known as Lakeland PBS, is canceling its long-running public affairs show Lakeland Currents. Like 10 of the 17 AMPERS community radio stations in Minnesota, Lakeland Public TV in Bemidji lost all federal funding. Lakeland Currents aired for 18 seasons, featuring conversations with local leaders and experts on a range of issues. The station says it's facing a $1 million budget shortfall. Lakeland PBS serves about 400-thousand viewers in northern and central Minnesota.

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HOST: North Star Stories is produced by AMPERS, diverse radio for Minnesota's communities, with support from the McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota. Online at ampers dot org.