With too few psychiatric beds and staff to manage them, people with severe mental illness find themselves in emergency departments and county jails.
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
Doctors under pressure as U-M ends gender-affirming care for minors
Under federal threat, University of Michigan to end gender-affirming care for patients under age 19. That puts pressure on other doctors, too. ‘I’m not going to jail over this,’ says one.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan lawmakers push to expand Rx Kids, but does ‘no strings’ cash work?
A Michigan Senate committee held a hearing Tuesday on expanding Rx Kids, which offers recipients $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 a month for their children in their first year of life.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Breast milk deliveries from Michigan prison benefit babies with moms behind bars
Breast milk is going mobile at Michigan’s only women’s prison with a new $500,000 delivery program to babies of incarcerated moms.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan Head Start, health programs scramble amid immigration crackdown
Some immigrants are barred from using federally backed social programs like health centers and Head Start following the Trump administration’s reinterpretation of a decades-old rule.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Brother: Walmart attack suspect a danger for years, ‘fell through cracks every time’
A man charged with stabbing 11 people at Walmart had a history of schizophrenia, violence and incarceration. ‘It’s been an absolute nightmare,’ says his brother. Advocates say Michigan needs to do more.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan getting millions more to aid opioid battle
Thanks to new settlements with opioid manufacturers, Michigan will get $178.5 million more for its drug fight. But is it enough?
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Families lament end of a 'lifeline’ for disabled Michigan children, adults
The Lahser Respite Home for Children had faced financial challenges for years. Now the state’s decision that the home can no longer serve young adults is forcing it to close for children, too, according to leadership.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan public health agencies ax programs amid federal cuts
Michigan’s local public health agencies have scrapped programs and scaled back services amid federal funding cuts.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan doctors urge vaccination as measles cases hit national record
Michigan has 18 confirmed measles cases in a national spike of the vaccine-preventable disease.