When does the law take effect? What about existing state laws? Will there be lawsuits? You have questions, Bridge has answers.
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 Government
Michigan Proposal 3 supporting abortion rights wins big
With nearly 85 percent of the statewide vote in, support for Proposal 3, which would enshrine abortion rights in the Michigan Constitution, led 55.5 percent to 44.5 percent.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan logs 1st RSV child death as virus fills ERs and doctors’ offices
RSV and other respiratory viruses are riding a “bounce back” this fall as Michiganders and people around the nation return to pre-pandemic routines.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Proposal 3: Campaign fights ‘baldfaced’ lies about abortion issue
In the final days in the most expensive campaign in Michigan, volunteers working overtime to counter ‘confusing and extreme’ narrative of the constitutional amendment.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Flu shots down as Thanksgiving nears. And that’s only one threat.
After two years of low influenza rates, doctors fear Michigan may be in line for a severe flu season. There is already a rise in RSV cases, and COVID hospitalizations are rising. Bottom line, doctors say: Get your shot and wash your hands.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
More Michigan parents opt to skip school vaccines for their children
More than 10 percent of students opted out of at least one vaccine in five Michigan counties, leaving areas open to potentially deadly outbreaks. Said one ‘vaccine choice’ leader: Parents know what’s best for their children.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
1-in-10 people in U.S. over 65 has dementia, U-M study finds
Another 22 percent were found to have mild cognitive impairment. Dementia hit hardest among Black people, impairment hit higher for Hispanic participants. The findings hold implications for public policy and future health research.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s 1.8M Catholics called on to stop Proposal 3. Will it work?
The state’s largest faith is mixing prayer and pragmatism in its fight against the ballot measure, trying to persuade even those who may generally favor abortion that the proposal is ‘extreme.’
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Medicare open enrollment begins in Michigan: What to know
There are some significant changes as open enrollment begins Saturday, offering beneficiaries the chance to review options for 2023 and make adjustments. But it’s still buyer beware.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
With insulin costs rising, Michigan plots early steps to produce its own
Republican Senator Curt VanderWall and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer are searching for companies who can manufacture the lifesaving drug in Michigan to lower costs. Two companies are talking back.