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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.
Articles
Feds halt emergency use of coronavirus drug backed by Trump
Early hopes that hydroxychloroquine could help treat COVID-19 patients have been dashed by research that questions the drug’s efficacy and safety. It does not appear the FDA's ruling will impact a Michigan clinical trial.
From couch potato to bike trails: a coronavirus silver lining in Michigan
Stir-crazy from quarantine, Michiganders are snapping up bicycles as fast as stores can stock them. Hunting and fishing license purchases are also up dramatically as residents find comfort and urgency in exploring more of the outdoors.
Coronavirus lays bare health disparities amid Michigan protests
Some protesters in Michigan say they are focused on police brutality. Others see George Floyd’s death as “a crisis within crisis within a crisis,” with structural racism the common thread.
Sinai-Grace nurses file lawsuit, allege patients died because hospital was short-staffed
Sinai-Grace nurses: Dozens died because a Detroit hospital was short-staffed.
Michigan gives no coronavirus data on thousands of seniors and disabled
State health officials say they will finally reveal COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes. But this leaves out tens of thousands of vulnerable residents at homes for the aged, adult foster care and unlicensed assisted-living facilities.
Michigan hospitals reopen to visitors after coronavirus, but rules vary
Here is what you need to know about resuming visits to Michigan hospitals following restrictions to stem the flow of the coronavirus.
Northern Michigan braced for coronavirus surge that has yet to arrive
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer broadly reopened much of northern Michigan over the Memorial Day Weekend. More than two weeks later, few new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed across the region.
Inspections show death, despair gripped Michigan nursing homes amid pandemic
As the coronavirus ravaged Michigan, nursing home staffers called in sick, faced equipment shortages and struggled to comply with infection controls, inspection reports from the hardest-hit facilities show.
Michigan COVID-19 deaths swell, as state tweaks how it tallies cases
Michigan’s coronavirus caseload has increased by 240 to 5,800 now that “probable” deaths are included. The changing of definitions has caused controversy in other states.
Whitmer eases restrictions on hospital visits as coronavirus spread slows
Families will soon once again be able to visit their loved ones in Michigan hospitals, after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rolled back restrictions put in place in March to tamp down the pandemic.
Insomnia, flashbacks hitting Michigan hospital workers as coronavirus ebbs
Burnout and suicide rates were already high among health care workers. Now, hospital systems and mental health providers are responding to trauma caused by the intensity of responding to COVID-19.
What is my future? How Michigan teens and young adults deal with isolation
Experts expect a wave of mental health issues for adolescents and young adults following months of quarantine during the coronavirus crisis.
Whitmer orders coronavirus protections for Michigan’s migrant farm workers
They harvest much of the fruits and vegetables produced in Michigan. A new executive order will offer them some protections from COVID-19 while they work at farms across the state.
Michigan continues to stumble in tracking coronavirus in nursing homes
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services acknowledges its count of nursing home COVID-19 cases is likely inaccurate. And the agency still cannot accurately list how many senior residents have died from virus complications.
Wanted: Michigan blood samples — lots of them — in fight against COVID-19
A biobank at University of Michigan is collecting blood samples from both sick and healthy people as researchers search for clues to treatment and a vaccine.
Michigan’s Beaumont Health cancels merger with Ohio system, vague on why
Neither Beaumont nor Ohio-based Summa Health offered specifics on why the deal was nixed. Beaumont said, however, that its decision was unrelated to financial losses during the coronavirus crisis.
Michigan nursing homes linked to 1 in 4 coronavirus deaths. Tally will grow.
As questions swirl about transparency of Michigan nursing home data, a Democratic lawmaker slams Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s policies that required homes to accept COVID-19 patients as an ‘epic fail.’
Nearly killed by COVID-19, Michigan doctors, nurses return humbled, smarter
Two new studies suggest 1 in 100 health care workers involved in the care of coronavirus patients may have become infected themselves. Bridge Magazine spoke to some of them about how their experiences changed them.
Backlogged surgeries from coronavirus shutdown could take months to reschedule
Catching up on backlogged appointments — like delayed mammograms, prostate exams, colonoscopies, knee and hip replacement surgeries, and other procedures — won't happen overnight, hospital officials warn.
Michigan appeals court sides with vape shop, against flavored vaping ban
The Michigan Court of Appeals panel upheld a trial court’s injunction against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency rules against flavored vaping products.