Once suffering a shortage of COVID-19 treatments, the state now has an abundance of them, as well as clinics and pharmacies to dispense them — critically, at the same time you are diagnosed.
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
With insulin prices skyrocketing, Michigan may go DIY
Frustrated by unaffordable treatments for diabetes and other illnesses, Michigan lawmakers are talking to universities and others about getting the state back in the drug manufacturing business.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Video tablets are lowering suicides, raising treatment for rural veterans
Military veterans are at higher risk of suicide than the general population, even more so for veterans from rural areas, which have far fewer therapists. A large U.S. study found rural vets who received tablets for remote visits were far more likely to get mental health treatment, with fewer ER visits and lower suicide rates.
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Detroit hospital stops admitting patients to control rare fungus outbreak
C. auris can live on healthy people without making them sick, but the drug-resistant fungus then can spread to more vulnerable patients who may develop deadly infections.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan’s Medicaid ballooned during COVID. It’s about to be pared back.
Three million Michiganders must prove they’re still eligible for the safety net insurance when the U.S. public health emergency ends as soon as mid-July. Advocates worry that hundreds of thousands in the state could lose health insurance.
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West Michigan program to mint up to 500 new nurses with $20K tuition help
The pandemic ground down nurses, sending some into early retirement or alternative careers. Can a new university-hospital partnership bring in up to 500 new students to enter the nursing field?
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Smokestacks and forgotten residents: Dearborn opens new health department
Children go to school surrounded by industrial plants and a large portion of the city, Arab Americans, struggle with health disparities and yet are not even recognized by the census. So Dearborn opened its own health department with a broader vision.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
As 2nd COVID vaccine booster approved, should Michiganders get it?
COVID-19 vaccines and first boosters were long-awaited and strongly recommended. The fourth dose? It’s more complicated.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
More boosters, better guesses: 5 things you still should know about COVID
As cases recede, COVID-19 has slipped from the everyday calculations of many in Michigan. But there are important developments to keep in mind.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Home-visit programs save money, free ERs. Many insurers don’t cover them.
Yes, some paramedics make house calls, treating seniors and other patients with chronic medical problems so they don’t end up in emergency rooms. The programs save millions of dollars in medical costs, but many insurers don’t yet cover these services.