Michigan Health Watch

Agencies intended to keep children safe, physically and mentally, fall woefully short. And when a successful program begins to gain traction, funding to expand it across the state is kneecapped by Lansing politics. 

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? 

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. 

Bridge launched its Health Watch beat in 2019 with stories revealing medical gaps in rural Michigan and the state’s mounting challenge with opioids, suicide, Medicaid eligibility and legalized pot. Here are some highlights.

Researchers says multiple childhood traumas have serious physical and mental health implications. But few Michigan physicians are trained to look for them.

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.

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.  ​