Public health policy ratings for Minnesota's congressional delegation

Next to Iraq, health care is perhaps the key issue in this year's election. Few would argue that it's become too expensive and too inaccessible for many Americans. Vox Verax/Minnesota Monitor has looked at how the state's members of Congress have been rated by certain health care interest groups. This is the first in the series.

From the American Public Health Association (APHA), courtesy of Project Vote Smart. Higher is better:

Representative	Party	Average 2002-05	Rating 2005	Rating 2004	Rating 2003	Rating 2002
Betty McCollum	D	100	100	100	100	100
Martin Olav Sabo	D	97	100	89	100	100
James L. Oberstar	D	84	88	75	88	83
Collin C. Peterson	D	55	75	67	44	33
James M. 'Jim' Ramstad	R	26	50	44	11	0
Gilbert W. 'Gil' Gutknecht	R	22	25	22	22	17
John P. Kline	R	15	12	33	0	n/a
Mark R. Kennedy	R	14	12	44	0	0

About the group:

"The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world, representing more than 50,000 members from over 50 occupations of public health. APHA brings together researchers, health service providers, administrators, teachers, and other health workers in a unique, multidisciplinary environment of professional exchange, study, and action. APHA is concerned with a broad set of issues affecting personal and environmental health, including federal and state funding for health programs, pollution control, programs and policies related to chronic and infectious diseases, a smoke-free society, and professional education in public health."