238,000 lower-income residents in Healthy Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program must now prove they are working or exempt to maintain coverage. Can Lansing succeed where other states have failed?
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
Five things to know about Michigan’s Medicaid work rules
Thousands of lower-income residents must now meet monthly reporting requirements to keep their health coverage. What you need to know to maintain health coverage.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
With spike in STDs, should Michigan force all schools to teach sex ed?
Districts aren’t required to teach sex ed. And when they do, they must stress abstinence until marriage but need not discuss contraceptives. Does state’s rising STD rate among young people change the calculus?
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
STDs surge in Michigan and the reasons might surprise you
More testing for sexually transmitted diseases may account for much of the increase, but experts suggest we may be getting too relaxed when it comes to using protection during sex.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Dana Nessel sues opioid firms under Michigan law intended for drug dealers
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Nessel announced the lawsuit on Tuesday, touted as the first of its kind in the nation.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Blue Cross says shared-risk plan will rein in costs for Michigan patients
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan said it will pay major health providers more for value-based health care, but penalize them for delivering poor care, which the insurer said would ultimately benefit patients.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan trying to quicken insurance approval for drugs, medical treatment
Insurers say “prior authorization” requirements reduce wasteful spending on unnecessary medications or services. Doctors counter that it can go too far, raising administrative costs and putting patients at risk.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Opioid addiction treatment just got easier for thousands in Michigan
The state’s health department struck down a red tape obstacle to “gold standard” treatment that can help patients with addictions.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan opioid deaths finally going down, but not for black residents
Overdose deaths for opioids and other drugs fell in 2018, the first drop since 2012, with state policies restricting painkiller prescriptions cited. But drug deaths for black residents spiked in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan youth suicide rate doubles. What parents can do.
The spike in suicide rates comes as a national poll suggests parents struggle to know the difference between normal ups and downs of the teen years and something more serious.