Health care costs remain among the biggest concerns for Michigan voters. Lawmakers are responding.
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
Psychedelics move into the spotlight. What to know in Michigan
Efforts in Michigan to decriminalize psychedelic drugs may have gotten a boost last month when the Trump administration ordered fast-tracked research into their potential for treatment for mental health issues, including veterans’ PTSD.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Nursing home critics demand Michigan lawmakers protect residents
The calls for change follow a Bridge Michigan investigation that documented nearly 6,000 cases of abuse and three dozen deaths in the past four years.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
State lowers vaccine age recommendation in SE Michigan amid measles outbreak
Children as young as 6 months should get vaccinated against measles, state health experts advise, as measles cases spill into a second Michigan county.
Posted inMichigan Government, Michigan Health Watch
Sparing 8,000 doctors, Michigan lawmakers reach medical compact deal
After months of gridlock, Michigan lawmakers say they finally have a deal to renew an interstate medical compact. Without it, 8,000 doctors could lose their ability to practice across state lines.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan can ease doctor shortage by raising pay for primary care, group says
The Michigan State Medical Society has weighed in with a 14-point plan to address health care provider shortages that are leading to long waits and higher costs.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan synagogue attack: FBI investigating as ‘targeted act of violence’
The suspect is dead and no congregants were injured after an attacker drove a vehicle into a metro Detroit synagogue and was confronted by security officers on Thursday afternoon, according to authorities.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Amid Temple Israel horror, a small act of kindness — and pizza in Michigan
As emergency vehicles screamed past and the Soul Cafe went into lockdown, staff continued to do what they know: bake and serve.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan confirms third pediatric flu death, first measles case of year
Michigan health officials confirm a third pediatric flu death, and the state reports its first measles case of 2026.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Lansing gridlock jeopardizes licenses for 8K Michigan doctors
Doctors say Michigan patients can expect longer wait times if an interstate agreement isn’t signed. Members of both political parties blame each other for the stalemate.