A national outbreak of E.coli has infected 39 people across 18 states. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention linked the outbreak to organic carrots.
Michigan Health Watch
In-depth reporting on the intersection between public policy and important health topics ‒ such as insurance coverage, hospital admissions, opioid abuse, access to care, medical research and the business of health care ‒ that impact nearly every Michigan resident.
Give an organ, get a $10,000 Michigan tax credit
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill Wednesday that makes live organ donors eligible for a one-time $10,000 tax credit to help with costs associated with the procedure.
Michigan offering free birth control pills, condoms at over 300 locations
Starting Wednesday, over 300 locations across the state will offer free contraception, including over-the-counter birth control pills, emergency contraception, condoms and family planning educational resources.
Michigan admits underreporting 200K+ COVID-19 cases, many during worst wave
Michigan underreported total cases counts by 6%, the bulk of which came during the deadly omicron wave of 2021 and 2022. The state fixed the problem in October and blames a computer error.
Online betting increases Michigan revenue — and gambling addiction
Calls to Michigan’s problem gambling helpline tripled after gambling on phones and laptops was legalized in 2021.
A UP community may lose EMS service in state prison payment dispute
The state and a national health care provider are squabbling over a contract, and the losers are Michigan ambulance services
Farmington Hills’ use of opioid funds to backfill budget prompts AG complaint
The money coming into Michigan communities is intended to help with the drug epidemic. The Oakland County suburb is using it to pay itself back for old costs.
Michigan reports 2 cases of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder
Michigan has joined the list of states with reported cases of E. coli linked to McDonald’s Quarter Pounder hamburgers. At least one of the two people sickened may have contracted the illness out of state.
Michigan sounds alarm as syphilis spikes among women, infants
The venereal disease has increased more in recent years among women, including those who are pregnant. Six babies with congenital syphilis last year died.
GOP blasts Democrats’ plan to close panel critical of Whitmer opioid efforts
A group that has called for more transparency in how the state fights opioid addiction is the focus of a fight between Republicans and Democrats.