Deaths of pregnant and new moms underscore a stark disparity: Black women are nearly three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes as white women. Henry Ford Health in Detroit is trying a simple approach to narrow that gap.
Bridge Michigan
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan House votes to expand hate crimes to protect gay, disabled residents
Democrats say the update to 1988 law is overdue. Republicans contend it criminalizes free speech.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan restaurants: Raising minimum wage would doom us. Others dubious
The Michigan Supreme Court will soon decide whether to increase the minimum wage for hourly and tipped workers. Restaurants say that hurt will servers and lead to layoffs. Proponents say servers deserve better pay.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Dems seek 8 days of early counting on absentee ballots to curb ‘chaos’
Democrats advanced bills that would give clerks up to 8 days to count absentee ballots before an election to reduce delays and misinformation. GOP lawmakers say it would open the door to election fraud.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
How an upcoming Supreme Court ruling on student loan debt impacts Michigan
40 million student loan borrowers across the U.S. will be affected by the impending ruling. Here is what’s at stake and the issues at play before the conservative-majority court.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan Democrats want cities to decide how much private employers pay
Democrats, unions and local officials say legislation would give cities autonomy to set higher minimum wage, require paid sick leave. Republicans call the plan a jobs-killer.
Posted inHealth and Welfare
Women of color dying in childbirth is a crisis. Are doulas the answer?
The death of an Olympian elevates awareness of a longtime crisis in maternal mortality. Michigan is making it easier for Medicaid recipients to receive doulas who advocate for mothers, who are disproportionately given cesarians.
Posted inHealth and Welfare
As child mental health rates rise, Michigan sharply cuts residential beds
The state wants to limit the number of seriously ill children placed in institutional settings. But it’s getting pushback from some parents whose children are too volatile to stay at home and need longer-term residential care that’s in short supply.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan lawmakers OK early voting, conversion therapy ban, Juneteenth holiday
Flurry of Democratic legislation also includes mandatory lead testing for young children, alcohol sales inside college stadiums and reforms to prevent child abuse.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Beer o’clock may beckon at Michigan college sports stadiums under new bill
Michigan lawmakers may soon allow universities to sell alcohol inside stadiums. Supporters argue the measure could help reduce pre-gaming among college students