Today in History revisits the Sunday, October 15, 1978 edition of the Grand Forks Herald and highlights a story on a ballot measure proposed by a North Dakota citizen named Bryon Knutson aimed to give the state power to control healthcare costs. His supporters, numbering over 13,000, argued it would rein in rising prices. However, the proposal faced strong opposition from medical, dental, and hospital associations, as well as Blue Cross-Blue Shield, who feared it would create a doctor shortage, lower quality of care, and force small hospitals to close.

By Anne Valentine / Herald Staff Writer

The sides are drawn and battling hard over whether North Dakota should have state controlled health costs.

On one side are Byron Knuston and supporters, including some 13,300 North Dakotans who si

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