Lawmakers are trying to ease dangerous short-staffing in health care by tweaking laws — expanding the ability of some mid-level practitioners and, in some cases, creating new types of workers.
Michigan worker vacancies
In this occasional series, we examine the scope of critical worker shortages in 2023, from doctors and police officers to math teachers and social workers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan gains 28k residents, reversing losses to other states
For the first time in decades, more people moved to Michigan from other states in 2025 than vice versa, according to new US Census Bureau Estimates. International migration was the primary population growth driver.
Posted inBusiness Watch
‘Silver tsunami’ of retiring business owners leaves Main Streets at a crossroads
Michigan still adds more businesses than it loses, but business is slowing down as nearly 1 in 4 proprietors reach retirement age.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Report: Aging crisis to cause Michigan to lose out on economic boom
A new University of Michigan economic report warns that the ‘long-term future has now arrived’ for the state, causing it to lose out on jobs from a national economic uptick.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan needs doctors more than ever. More medical schools haven’t helped
Universities have aggressively expanded medical schools with the hope that could curb a looming doctor shortage. Instead, the shortage worsened as newly licensed doctors left Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Primary-care doctor shortages cut deep in Michigan's underserved areas
More than 1 in 4 Michiganders live in an area with a shortage of health providers. Primary care is among the worst hit.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Better retiree benefits can help fix Michigan’s employee shortage
Restoring pension and retiree health-care benefits will go a long way toward recruiting and retaining more teachers and the employees necessary to provide government services in Michigan.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan has plenty of jobs. Too bad workers find so many boring, study finds
Michigan has a persistent worker shortage, but many are in fields that workers consider dead dull, according to an MSU study that could close the gap in skills training.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Revisiting failed policies isn't the answer to Michigan’s nursing shortage
Mandating nurse-to-patient ratios in Michigan hospitals could have dire effects for patients, and it will not solve the workforce shortage.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Michigan is spending to fill critical worker gaps. Here’s what’s needed
Some worker shortages hurt more than others, and state leaders are rushing to try to make it easier to fill vacancies from paramedics to special ed teachers.