Michigan surgeons offered more money to limit opioids for pain
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Money and pain first fed Michigan’s opioid crisis, but the state’s largest insurer hopes money might starve it, too. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is offering a 35 percent boost in insurance reimbursement — hundreds of dollars per procedure — to doctors who follow tight, new prescribing guidelines that reduce […]
Michigan fish fight: Bills would squeeze commercial fishers, help anglers
by Jim Malewitz (Bridge) LANSING — Whose fish are they, anyway? Michigan House lawmakers last week advanced legislation to tighten regulations on Great Lakes commercial fishers, escalating a fight between the long-declining industry and sportfishing groups. In a series of 7-2 votes on Tuesday, the House Committee on Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation approved House Bills […]
Michigan judge suspends Gov. Whitmer’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Michigan’s ban on flavored vaping products may be headed to the state Supreme Court, after a judge on Tuesday granted a preliminary injunction to vape store owners. In approving the suspension Tuesday, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Diane Stephens said the owner of an Upper Peninsula vape shop and a West […]
Here’s what Gretchen Whitmer’s new PFAS water rules mean for Michigan
by Jim Malewitz (Bridge) Michigan has taken a major step toward regulating dangerous PFAS chemicals in drinking water supplies. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week formally proposed limits on seven types of PFAS that would apply to about 2,700 public water systems around Michigan. The announcement came seven months after she directed her Department of Environment, […]
Michigan environment roundup: Great Lakes water levels may surge higher
By Jim Malewitz (Bridge Environmental Watch) In Bridge’s Michigan Environment Watch, we share a roundup of recent stories on the Great Lakes or other environmental issues. If you see a story we should include next time, use the hashtag #EnviroReads on Twitter or email environmental reporter Jim Malewitz at jmalewitz@bridgemi.com. Michigan AG focuses on clean energy, […]
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer eases access to welfare in Michigan
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Low-income Michigan residents can have more money in the bank without losing access to public assistance, under new policies announced last week by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Beginning Nov. 1, Michigan will allow residents with up to $15,000 in personal assets to remain eligible for cash, food and emergency […]
This flu season looks deadly, yet much of Michigan won’t get its shot
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge) GRAND RAPIDS—As she waited for a flu shot on Thursday at a Grand Rapids public health clinic, Ellen Stuart recalled when she first moved to the city more than 40 years ago. “I came down with the flu and was sick for two weeks,” she recalled. “I was flat on my […]
Michigan seeks to cash in on CBD craze, but hemp harvest not without hiccups
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Topical cannabidiol creams are competing for shelf space at Kroger and Whole Foods. Wellness sprays are sold over the counter in Walgreens and other national pharmacies. And Family Video is even selling CBD next to DVDs. CBD has gone mainstream, and Michigan farmers hope to cash in on the […]
In the spring, Gov. Whitmer praised an opioid clinic. In the fall, a veto.
By Ted Roelofs (Bridge) On a rainy day last April near Jackson, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer broke ground on a $10 million, long-term recovery home for opiate addicts called Andy’s Place. Standing to her far left, with a shovel of his own, was GOP Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey – who happens to represent Jackson. “The crisis […]
Senate panel passes bills to try 17-year-olds as juveniles in crimes
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Michigan is one of only four states that automatically treat 17-year-olds as adults in the criminal justice system. That would change under bipartisan bills that passed out of Senate committee Thursday morning and which are likely to be supported in both houses of the Legislature for the first time in years. […]
