The health department announced a streamlined approach Monday to expedite vaccine waivers and reminded families they can opt out of the state’s data reporting system.
Robin Erb
Robin Erb covers health care and aging for Bridge Michigan, focusing on a state that is aging faster than most. She has led investigations tracking opioid settlement money and health care worker shortages, and previously spent six years at the Detroit Free Press covering the Affordable Care Act and Michigan's Medicaid expansion. She holds a master's degree from Lourdes University in Toledo.
Robin and her husband raised two children in southeast Michigan — and have failed miserably at training their Beagle-Bassets.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Desperate for doctors: Michigan looks to expand who can provide care
Lawmakers are trying to ease dangerous short-staffing in health care by tweaking laws — expanding the ability of some mid-level practitioners and, in some cases, creating new types of workers.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
For Michiganders in opioid recovery, surgery brings a new pain dilemma
A new study finds that an increasing number of surgeries — and the painkillers that follow — could derail recovery for those who once misused opioids.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan leaders, legislators vow to improve nursing homes after Bridge report
Two Republican candidates for governor and at least one lawmaker promise changes following a two-day Bridge series laying out neglect, abuse and short staffing in Michigan nursing homes. Another lawmaker, a Democrat, says the key is in staff pay.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan ‘a pretty sick state’ amid surge of ‘super flu,’ COVID cases
With a new ‘super flu’ circulating, more than 800 Michiganders were hospitalized with influenza as of Monday — about twice as many as last year at the same time. And many of the really sick are children.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan cities balk at costly 911 calls to understaffed nursing homes
Cities and townships pay thousands of dollars each year for nonemergency calls at nursing homes that fire chiefs say should be handled by nursing home staff. Now, some cities are levying fines, hoping to recoup some of the costs.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Install cameras, beef up training — and 5 other ways to fix Michigan nursing homes
Some states demand nursing homes spend more on care and are more transparent in their finances. Michigan could do the same.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan nursing homes have few staff, little training. Misery can follow
Other states have moved to require more staff at nursing homes, but Michigan hasn’t changed its laws in nearly 50 years. That leads to neglect and mistakes, a review of inspections shows.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan sits on $35M fund to improve nursing homes. It’s largely unused
A $35 million fund could help pay for activities and services in nursing homes, but some say red tape makes the dollars not worth the time to apply.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Abuse, neglect common in Michigan nursing homes — and no one is coming to help
A Bridge investigation finds 5,900 cases of abuse, neglect or care woes at state nursing homes, including nearly three dozen deaths. Advocates say change is needed, but no reform is pending in Lansing.