The expanded eligibility is a month ahead of President Biden’s plan for universal U.S. eligibility by May 1. In the Upper Peninsula, one health department threw wide open its scheduling Friday, immediately offering appointments to any resident 16 and older.
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
Biden’s American Rescue Act makes Obamacare more affordable for Michiganders
Thousands of Michigan families will see payments reduced, as the COVID stimulus caps premiums at 8.5 percent of incomes. Under Obamacare, income limits priced many out of the market.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
One plane, one island and 50 vaccines, a year after COVID struck Michigan
The residents of Bois Blanc, in the Straits of Mackinac, were ready when a small, single-engine plane landed Tuesday with an island’s worth of doses.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s bold move to COVID vaccines for people over 50 leads nation
Wednesday’s announcement of Michigan vaccine eligibility more than doubles the number of residents eligible for a vaccine, and opens vaccinations to an age group that has comprised nearly 97 percent of COVID deaths in the state.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michiganders 50 or older with underlying conditions next up for COVID vaccine
Those with COPD, cancer, and other conditions, as well as caregivers of those with special needs, are eligible for a COVID vaccine Monday.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Visitation resumes amid COVID in Michigan nursing homes — with limits
For nearly a year, Michigan’s long-term care residents suffered deadly COVID outbreaks and “heart-wrenching” isolation. Tuesday’s order will encourage far more homes to allow visitors.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Too few for too long, COVID vaccines expected to surge. Is Michigan ready?
Operation Warp Speed created vaccines just a year after a new virus began its deadly spread. Can the same commitment and precision get it into millions of Michigan arms in the coming weeks?
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
After a hellish year in Michigan: joy from giving doses of COVID vaccines
After nearly a year of frustration and death, frontline healthcare workers are finding gratitude in being able to say “congratulations” as they deliver vaccines to eager residents.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
New way to seek Michigan COVID vaccine. And a 3rd vaccine may be close.
A website backed by the CDC can now help Michiganders find vaccine providers in their area with available doses. And Johnson & Johnson’s one-dose vaccine moves closer to emergency authorization.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
What flu season? Michigan influenza barely registers during COVID
Masks, plexiglass and canceled vacations during the pandemic all likely contributed to a dramatic drop in influenza cases in Michigan. The safety measures may also explain drops in other respiratory ailments.