As federal public health policies come under fire, a group of citizens, doctors and lawmakers is pressing Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration to more forcefully safeguard vaccines and Medicaid.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers a range of health issues in Michigan, including the industry of aging and the issues facing older residents in Michigan, a state that is aging faster than most others. She joined Bridge in 2019 and has led investigations that tracked millions of dollars in opioid settlement money and explored severe worker shortages in health care that threaten lives and the state's economy. She chronicled the shock and grief of Michigan families in COVID’s wake, as well as state policy decisions and the triumphs of medical breakthroughs. Robin previously spent six years covering health at the Detroit Free Press, documenting the battle over, and the eventual passage of, the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She studied communications and political science at Miami University and has a master’s degree in organizational leadership from Lourdes University (Toledo, Ohio). She and her husband raised two wonderful children — but have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets — in southeast Michigan. Reach her at rerb@bridgemi.com.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Why some in Michigan ditch alcohol, embrace mocktail madness for Thanksgiving
For years, research reassured drinkers that mild or moderate imbibing was harmless, maybe even protective, for health. That research was flawed.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Older Michigan drivers more confident, less ready to give up keys, study finds
A new study finds that most Michigan’s older drivers trust their skill behind the wheel — at least for now, but not so much for the coming five years. Without a plan, that could be trouble.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s health is poor. Can better transportation, food and schools fix it?
A report from the Citizen’s Research Council underscores Michigan’s overall poor health, arguing that policymakers should consider other factors — transportation, education and civic engagement, for example — for improving the state’s health and, in turn, the state’s economy.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan food stamp payments to resume Saturday – but be cut in half
Michiganders who missed food stamp payments are expected to get reduced payments Saturday. Halved benefits from the federal government will be ‘a disappointment,’ a health official acknowledged.
Posted inMichigan Government, Michigan Health Watch
Food stamp delay hits Michigan: Residents ration, pantries scramble
The Trump administration agreed to resume partial SNAP payments but warned it could take “weeks” for reduced benefits to reach people. Michiganders are already grappling with the delay.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan lawmakers mull regulating kratom and ‘gas station heroin’ byproduct
As it stands now, Michigan children can buy kratom, a substance that some say is dangerous. Lawmakers are considering regulating it.
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal shutdown hits Michigan telehealth, Head Start, environment, more
One researcher called the shutdown “a crisis in slow motion” and multiple officials said cuts will worsen if the shutdown drags on.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan church shooting: Victims identified, remembered
Bridge Michigan will update this story as it verifies the identities of those killed and injured in the attack.
Posted inMichigan Government
Grand Blanc pledges kindness, unity after ‘horrible evil’ of church shooting
In a community reeling from bloodshed on Sunday, Tuesday brought messages of togetherness, even forgiveness.