Clear language and human-centered design can help Medicaid enrollees keep their coverage
Michigan’s expanded Medicaid program, the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP), has provided health insurance coverage to hundreds of thousands of Michiganders since its launch in April 2014. However, in 2019, the state passed a work requirements bill, which introduced more steps needed to retain HMP coverage. The bill asked HMP enrollees to report a minimum of 80 hours of work per …
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Long COVID’s impact on Michiganders and the Michigan economy
At the time of this publication in May 2022, Michigan has had just over 2 million confirmed COVID cases, excluding deaths. At the percentages indicated in our study and in the literature, 700,000 of these Michiganders could have or may experience long COVID. This could have a major economic burden on families and the state of Michigan due to long …
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Results from the opioid settlement prioritization survey 2021–22
In 2019, Michigan and many of its districts filed lawsuits against numerous companies in the opioid industry. Settlement negotiations regarding some of these lawsuits are ongoing; however, the State of Michigan is currently drafting legislation that would establish a fund for these resources–$766 million–that would be used to support Michigan-based substance use treatment services and to address the harm created …
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Michigan physicians share perspectives on telehealth opportunities and challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unprecedented expansion of telehealth in Michigan and across the United States. This expansion was due, in large part, to a series of policy changes following the pandemic, such as increased insurance coverage for telehealth and the loosening of telehealth delivery restrictions. These new policies allowed patients greater access to remote care to reduce exposure …
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A look back at the journey of the Vital Seniors Initiative—and where it’s heading next
Washtenaw County seniors are a rapidly growing population, expected to more than double by 2040. And many face everyday challenges—such as social isolation, food insecurity, and transportation. In 2018, the Vital Seniors Initiative, managed by the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF) and funded by the Glacier Hills Legacy Fund, was developed to address these challenges. Four local organizations received …
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Michigan’s physicians and health care providers are burnt out: What can we do to help them navigate pandemic pressures?
Michigan’s latest COVID-19 surge is among the worst in the country, and if there’s one thing we know about COVID’s effect on our nation’s health care system, physician and health care provider burnout will soon follow. Physician burnout is a concern for everyone. It’s tied to lower-quality care, reduced clinical productivity, and increased physician turnover. In the general population, we …
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Here’s the current state of programs supporting Michigan’s 1.7 million caregivers
Like most of the United States, Michigan’s population is aging. Accordingly, the number of unpaid family and informal caregivers—those who support others with tasks related to daily living, such as transportation, feeding, and bathing—has increased substantially over the last three decades. The AARP Public Policy Institute estimated the economic value of unpaid caregiving at $470 billion in 2017. For reference, …
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Family caregiver support: learn about policy and programmatic solutions developed by state and federal agencies
More than 43 million U.S. adults, 13 percent of Americans, provide unpaid care to family members or friends. These family caregivers administer medical care, run errands, provide transportation, manage finances, and help with household chores, among other activities. Family caregivers, despite the lack of reimbursement for their efforts, are a significant component of the nation’s long-term care system. In fact, …
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The COVID-19 pandemic has added significant new stressors for family caregivers – here’s why that matters
Nearly 40 percent of all family caregivers find their caregiving situation to be emotionally stressful. When caregivers feel they have no choice in assuming their caregiving duties, this increases to 53 percent. Left unaddressed, caregiver stress can worsen physical, mental, and emotional health, as well as social and financial well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an incredibly challenging environment for …
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Children benefit from the integration of behavioral health consultants at pediatric clinics, but can practices bear the cost?
While a growing body of evidence demonstrates the health benefits of embedding behavioral health care consultants into medical practices, many providers–including pediatric practitioners–are rightfully cautious about embarking on integration initiatives. Integration is a complex process–one that requires a significant commitment of time and resources–and not all integration initiatives are economically sustainable. Here, we provide a simple tool for determining whether …
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