Shattered residents say the community must find a way forward after the unthinkable happens.
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 church shooting: At least 4 dead, plus suspect. Grand Blanc mourns
Authorities said they are still searching for additional victims in the church, which was ‘a total loss due’ to a fire the gunman lit.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Doctors under pressure as U-M ends gender-affirming care for minors
Under federal threat, University of Michigan to end gender-affirming care for patients under age 19. That puts pressure on other doctors, too. ‘I’m not going to jail over this,’ says one.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Families lament end of a 'lifeline’ for disabled Michigan children, adults
The Lahser Respite Home for Children had faced financial challenges for years. Now the state’s decision that the home can no longer serve young adults is forcing it to close for children, too, according to leadership.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Proposed Michigan laws would reduce hurdles, speed access to drug treatment
Michiganders with drug and alcohol addictions might have fewer easier access to drug testing strips and quicker access to treatment under a comprehensive package of senate bills.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan rural hospitals at risk under Trump’s ‘beautiful’ bill, experts say
The ‘big, beautiful bill’ could spell big trouble for Michigan hospitals, according to experts, who say rural facilities could be forced to scale back services or even close because of Medicaid cuts.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Transportation troubles create a lonely reality for older Michiganders
Despite millions of dollars in transportation funds, the state’s services remain fragmented and, for many older Michiganders, difficult to access.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s ‘Dr. Bobby’ steps into hot seat to lead American Medical Association
From a brain tumor to boardrooms, there’s a lot to unpack about as Dr. Bobby Mukkamala of Flint takes on the presidency of the nation’s largest physician group.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Should refusing vaccines be a civil right in Michigan? Some lawmakers say yes
State legislators have entered legislation that would make ‘vaccination status’ a civil rights class and curb the government’s ability to enforce vaccine mandates for children.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
A steep drop in Michigan overdose deaths, thanks in part to Narcan
About 1,000 fewer Michiganders died in 2024 from overdoses, according to provisional data released Thursday by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. At the same time, advocates note, federal funding for prevention, treatment and recovery remains uncertain.