Bipartisan support for early intervention legislation and newly outlined recommendations on bed capacity have renewed faith in revamping the state’s behavioral health system.
Eli Newman
Eli Newman covers public health, access to care and policy for Bridge Michigan's Health Watch team. A lifelong Michigander with a decade of public radio experience, he previously served as assistant news director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent nearly nine years at WDET in Detroit covering breaking news, politics and community affairs. His work has been recognized by the Public Media Journalists Association, the Michigan Associated Press Media Editors, the Michigan Association of Broadcasters and the Society of Professional Journalists Detroit chapter. Eli earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan. He lives in Detroit.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan kids in mental health crisis sent out of state as facilities close
Michigan has a shrinking capacity for children and teens in severe psychological crises. Families are finding care hundreds of miles away, and a growing number of kids are sent away by courts.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Supreme Court ruling puts Michigan’s ‘conversion therapy’ ban in jeopardy
A federal appeals court ruling in December blocked Michigan’s law meant to protect LGBTQ+ youth from taking effect. The state’s law faces significant challenges following the US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a similar ban in Colorado.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Providers face ‘extreme shortage’ of paramedics, EMTs in rural Michigan
Paramedics and EMTs regularly handle the state’s worst medical traumas and receive wages similar to fast-food workers. Even with state assistance to promote workforce development, gaps remain.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
EMS providers battle money, staffing woes in rural Michigan’s ambulance ‘deserts’
Rural emergency medical services in Michigan are burdened by the high cost of keeping crews ready and insurance payouts that fail to cover calls. Hospital closures and mergers and a lack of local dollars aren’t helping matters, leaving local residents in a bind to keep services afloat.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan measles outbreak: Confirmed cases grow to seven, including child under 5
The Washtenaw County outbreak has seven confirmed cases and one hospitalization. Officials are asking that anyone unvaccinated or not already immune to measles stay away from others for a full 21 days after exposure.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
ICE presence rising at Michigan health care facilities, rights groups say
The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center and the ACLU of Michigan have sent guidance to more than 400 hospitals and providers in the state to outline law enforcement changes to ‘sensitive locations’ policy.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan confirms measles outbreak in Washtenaw County: What to know
An initial case was identified in an unvaccinated adult who visited sites in Ypsilanti and Canton earlier this month. Since then, two more related cases have been reported.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan boosts bed capacity in ‘horribly underserved’ mental health system
Michigan mental health care providers, patients and their families and law enforcement have said the state does not have enough resources to care for people in psychiatric crisis.
Posted inThe Center for Michigan
Opinion | I’m a Jewish journalist. At Temple Israel, the news came to my community
A Bridge Michigan reporter reflects on the Temple Israel attack and what it means to confront your own worst fears.
