Advocates slam ‘abysmal’ transparency surrounding opiods settlement in Michigan. Unlike many other states, Michigan set up few controls over how cities, counties spend their 50% share of the money.
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.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan opioid cash sparks feeding frenzy of vendors, seeking cut of $1.5B
Local officials say there are ‘sharks in the water,’ as companies pitching everything from $7,400 vending machines to $200,000 body scanners seek contracts from the opioid settlement money coming to Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
See how much your Michigan community will get in opioid settlement funds
Michigan is receiving about $1.5 billion over 18 years, with about $725 million going to cities and counties. Some will receive a larger share of opioid settlement, based on how hard they’ve been hit by the crisis.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As opioid deaths mount, Michigan governments sit on millions for intervention
A landmark lawsuit settlement will pour $1.5 billion into Michigan, almost half of it directly to communities. But local governments have been slow to spend the money, and transparency questions dog efforts to fight the drug scourge.
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Michigan mom sues for disability in latest U.S. legal battle over long COVID
Kelsey Warshefski, 41, said she’s suffered years of seizures, mini-strokes and fatigue. She can no longer run, work or romp with her son. She’s among a growing number of patients suing after disability claims were denied.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan disbands racial equity group as tension mounts over opioid money
The state spent $148,000 on a racial equity group to offer advice on how to spend hundreds of millions of dollars in opioid settlement funds. But after issuing recommendations, the group said it was ‘silenced.’
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s $55M experiment with guaranteed income begins with Flint moms
Michigan will experiment with guaranteed income in Flint, one of its poorest cities, giving expectant and new moms $7,500 — no strings attached — to lift the stress of poverty from their newborns.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Blood donations at 20-year low. Red Cross urges Michiganders to give
The Red Cross has seen a 40 percent decline in blood donations over the last 20 years. They’re calling it an emergency and hope to entice donors with a chance to win tickets to the Super Bowl.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Flu, respiratory illnesses, other crud make this misery season in Michigan
Expect long wait times at doctor offices, clinics and emergency rooms, as influenza season is in full winter flower.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan Medicaid expanded to cover health workers you may not have heard of
Community health workers focus on people who, due to low incomes or other inequities, tend to have poorer health outcomes. The state is now expanding Medicaid to cover more of this work.