Minnetonka-based UnitedHealth, the nation's largest health insurer, told the Associated Press it plans to keep and extend some provisions of the federal health-reform legislation regardless of whether the law is overturned. The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling later this month on the law's constitutionality.

Limiting the ability of cities and counties to impose moratoriums on land use is an idea that's failed to gain ground in previous sessions. But its sponsor calls it a property rights issue and thinks its time has come. Local governments seem unconvinced.

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will be in the Twin Cities on the two-year anniversary of the landmark health care legislation. Sebelius will highlight insurance policies that she says discriminate against women. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann is using the law's anniversary in a fundraising appeal built around her goal of repealing it.

The private Commonwealth Fund ranked the St. Paul region the best out of more than 300 areas across the country. Rochester and Minneapolis were also among the top five. It's based on access to health care, prevention, treatment and healthy living. The Duluth region was placed 70th.

The federal health care overhaul was aimed at providing affordable health insurance to millions of Americans who lack it. But a low-income group falls into a kind of no-man's land for affordable coverage, and Minnesota officials are considering an optional program to help fill this gap. But there is a huge unknown: cost.