HEALTH CARE

Here is a map showing the Southeastern Michigan hospital bed occupancy levels.

Choosing the right health care plan can be a difficult decision.

Here is a map showing the Southeastern Michigan hospital bed occupancy levels.

Submit a photo of a healthcare hero in your life so we can highlight them on Local 4 News Today!

Watch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.

Michigan Medicine announces it conducted more research during the pandemic compared to year before.

Michigan Medicine officials issue plea to the public to get vaccinated as beds fill up.

Michigan Medicine's Gifts of Art recognized by the National Organization of Arts in Health.

CUAA will hold a health professions focused Visit Day experience on Tuesday, November 9.

Invest360 is a pitch competition that recognizes promising emerging companies in the mobility, healthcare, and information technology sectors.

Ann Arbor has snagged a spot in U.S. News & World Report's 2021-2022 Best Places to Retire list.

With so many businesses struggling amid the worker shortage, many are asking when -- and if -- this crisis will ever end.

With so many businesses struggling amid the worker shortage, many are asking when -- and if -- this crisis will ever end.

Two emergency physicians at U-M share when patients should seek out emergency care as ERs fill up.

An anti-abortion protest of about 20 stood right next to the larger group in support of pro-abortion rights. Both crowds had a mix of younger and older participants taking part in each’s version of popular protest chants.

Earning a CNA licensure is a great way to enter into healthcare, writes CUAA.

Earning a CNA licensure is a great way to enter into healthcare, writes CUAA.

One of the most rarely used and misunderstood financing options is a health care savings account (HSA), and it can offer significant benefits.

Filipe Ribeiro of Doctors Without Borders Afghanistan talks to NPR about the future of the country's health care system under Taliban rule.

Learn more about Concordia's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure program.

Learn more about Concordia's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) licensure program.

Employees of Beaumont Health will soon be required to get vaccinated for COVID-19, if they haven’t already.

Rush University Medical Center is mandating COVID-19 vaccines for its workers, joining at least a handful of other Chicago area hospitals that are also requiring the shots.

Nurses at the McLaren Macomb general hospital have voted in favor of a strike one month before their union contract expires, officials announced Tuesday.

A recent survey found that U.S. senior care facilities are facing or have recently faced staff shortages amid a tumultuous year.

It was a deal that was kept tightly under wraps. If approved, it would create the largest hospital system in the state of Michigan.

Two of Michigan’s largest health care systems are exploring a future together, officials announced Thursday morning.

If you’re concerned that a call from a local health department may be a scam, write down the name and number of the person who called you, then reach out to your local health department to confirm the legitimacy of the call.

Experts at Michigan Medicine have used modeling to predict an upcoming baby boom.

Lab technicians are often an unseen force in the fight against COVID-19.

DETROIT – Fulfilling a campaign promise, President Joe Biden plans to reopen the HealthCare.gov insurance markets for a special sign-up opportunity geared to people needing coverage in the coronavirus pandemic. Read: Biden to reopen ‘Obamacare’ markets for COVID-19 reliefYet there are many questions and also concerns about what coverage will be available and at what cost to the user and taxpayers. The Dearborn-based social services organization works to help people navigate the health care changes coming. This will allow those who have lost their insurance due to the pandemic to sign up for coverage. “For President Biden, this is personal,” reads a statement from a White House spokesperson.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan Medicine plans to have 55 frontline workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday. Tom Mann, the director of occupational health at the University of Michigan Hospital, described what needs to be done to get the vaccine to these workers. The “reconstitution process” means mixing the vaccine with saline to prepare it for the patient. First doses arrived MondayThe first doses from Pfizer came rolling into Michigan Medicine on Monday morning. University of Michigan Health System President Dr. David Spahlinger said he got word over the weekend that the vaccines were ready and being shipped.

DETROIT – As the COVID-19 vaccine moves closer to becoming a reality, a campaign of what’s being called “contextual information” is being rolled out. The goal is to convince some reluctant health care workers to get in line for the vaccine when it’s available. While there are former presidents ready to roll up their sleeves to receive the COVID-19 vaccine when it’s released, not everyone is as prepared or willing. There was the Tuskegee Experiment in which black men were deliberately misled and untreated for syphilis for 40 years. Jewish children in Vienna were used as human guinea pigs for measles studies.

American Advantage Home Care wants to help. The company has skilled health care services for homebound patients. American Advantage Home Care stands out because of the diverse set of services they offer and the vast community that they serve. American Advantage Home Care can help senior citizens, homebound patients and patients recovering from a major injury. To learn more about all American Advantage Home Care has to offer, visit their website right here.

ANN ARBOR – Michigan Medicine has partnered with about 100 of the country’s top health care systems urging Americans to mask up as COVID-19 cases reach record-breaking highs. Over the past two weeks, more than 900 medical workers at Mayo Clinic tested positive for COVID-19. The message reads:“As the top nationally-ranked hospitals, we know it’s tough that we all need to do our part and keep wearing masks. However now is exactly the wrong time to let up,” Marschall S. Runge, CEO of Michigan Medicine and dean of the U-M Medical School said in a statement. “But for now, we have to use the tools that we know work: wearing masks, staying socially distant and washing hands.

All rights reserved)WARREN, Mich. – Ascension Michigan has issued temporary visitation restrictions to help prevent the spread of coronavirus as cases surge throughout the state. One visitor is allowed for outpatient surgery and must stay in the waiting room. The above restrictions do not apply at Ascension Michigan physician practice sites. A number of other medical centers have also recently ramped up visitation restrictions as COVID-19 cases climb throughout Michigan. The total number of coronavirus cases in Michigan has risen to 277,806, including 8,190 deaths, as of Wednesday.

WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden is set to hold a virtual roundtable event with frontline health care workers. House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., and No. They included congresswoman-elect Nikema Williams, who won the Atlanta-area district represented by Democratic Rep. John Lewis, the civil rights champion, until his death in July. 1 and 2 House Democrats since 2003, while Clyburn rose to the No. To prevent lawmakers from crowding unsafely into one room, Democrats' leadership candidates were delivering remarks to scattered lawmakers using Zoom, the online meeting platform.

The cyberattacks involve ransomware, which scrambles data into gibberish that can only be unlocked with software keys provided once targets pay up. Sky Lakes acknowledged the ransomware attack in an online statement, saying it had no evidence that patient information was compromised. It said emergency and urgent care “remain available” The St. Lawrence system did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment. Increasingly, ransomware criminals are stealing data from their targets before encrypting networks, using it for extortion. A total of 59 U.S. healthcare providers/systems have been impacted by ransomware in 2020, disrupting patient care at up to 510 facilities, Callow said.

We’ve tested claims about the pandemic in just about every Trust Index report during the late election season. We’ve reviewed information surrounding this topic and confirmed that It’s True. We’ve reviewed information surrounding this topic and confirmed that It’s True. Trump’s claims on COVID mortality rate, excess deathsNext we’re taking a pair of claims from the President at the same time. More fact checks from the final presidential debate:Presidential Town Hall fact checks from the Trust Index:First Presidential debate fact checks from the Trust Index:

Race and race relations remained a major point of contention during this latest and final presidential debate Thursday night. President Trump ranked 15th out of 20, sitting below President Richard Nixon. Who built cages at the borderFinally, one last one from the President on who built cages for migrant children. “And they said look at these cages, President Trump built them. More fact checks from the final presidential debate:Presidential Town Hall fact checks from the Trust Index:First Presidential debate fact checks from the Trust Index:

Biden’s claim on private insurance, ObamacareThe Trust Index team is starting with this claim from former Vice President Joe Biden. “Not one single person private insurance will lose their insurance under my plan, nor did they under Obamacare,” Biden said. Trump’s claim on minimum wageNext is one from the President on the effects of a $15 minimum wage. "We’re rebuilding it and we’re doing record numbers 11.4 million jobs in a short period of time. More fact checks from the final presidential debate:Presidential Town Hall fact checks from the Trust Index:First Presidential debate fact checks from the Trust Index:

All rights reserved)Democratic nominee Joe Biden is scheduled to campaign in Detroit Friday evening. The former vice president will be speaking in Detroit during a voter mobilization event after delivering remarks in Southfield earlier today. In Detroit Biden is expected to encourage Michigan voters to voter early in person for the presidential election. Related: Magic Johnson campaigning for Biden-Harris in Detroit, Lansing this weekendRelated: Biden campaign finds 3rd virus link; Harris suspends travelPresident Donald Trump is set to visit Muskegon on Saturday, Oct. 17. Trump is expected to deliver remarks on supporting law enforcement at FlyBy Air, according to his campaign.

In a recent poll for Local 4 and the Detroit News, pollster Richard Czuba was asked about what’s driving Black voters. “African American voters, Black voters in Michigan, very strongly are coming in on the side of pre-existing conditions. Czuba asked Black voters how motivated they are to vote in November. “We’re now seeing Black voters in Michigan at a 9.5. According to the poll, 35 percent of Black voters in Michigan plan on voting absentee -- if they haven’t already.

Health care remains a top issue for voters, particularly during the spread of the coronavirus as millions lost their jobs and health insurance over the course of pandemic. According to the non-partisan Kaiser Family Foundation roughly 25 million people get their health care through the federal ACA marketplace or the ACA’s Medicaid expansion. Here’s one from President Trump about Biden’s plan:“The bigger problem that you have is that you’re going to extinguish 180 million people with their private health care,” Trump said. While estimates differ, the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services do estimate that roughly 180 million Americans have private health insurance. Biden’s plan creates a public option for low income Americans but does not get rid of private insurance.

Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden gives a speech on the Supreme Court at The Queen Theater, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Wilmington, Del. – Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden wants voters to see Republicans’ push for a speedy Supreme Court confirmation as an end-run of Congress and the 2010 health care law. “She's gonna be a great justice” who will “rule (based on) the law,” Trump said of Barrett. Justices are scheduled on Nov. 10, a week after Election Day, to hear another challenge of the 2010 health care law. “Prior to going on the bench, she publicly criticized Chief Justice Roberts’ opinion upholding the law,” Biden noted.

DETROIT – The final push is on -- the final day to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census is Sept. 30. An estimated 50% of Detroit residents have filled out the census and officials are urging everyone to raise that number. With everything from medical care to school funding on the line, Detroit will lose $18,000 in services for every person who doesn’t fill out the Census. With a passion for helping children in Detroit, McDonald knows how important filling out the census is“It’s not going to get better if you don’t participate," McDonald said. Call your friends call your family members and ask them if they’ve filled out the census.

DETROIT – How would you like more money for education, health care and better roads in Michigan? Only 49% of Detroit households have responded, and Gilchrist wants people to know it’s safe to fill out the census. The census doesn’t ask any questions about citizenship, and if you’re not a citizen, you should still fill out the census because it counts everyone living in the United States. The census doesn’t share your information with law enforcement. The more people who get counted, the more money the state gets for key programs in the community.

Gretchen Whitmer said she believes those numbers are because of uneven health care delivery and signed an Executive Directive to develop rules to require implicit bias training for health professionals to address racial disparities. Michigan COVID-19 cases by race as of July 5, 2020. (WDIV)The governors task force said people of color suffer in medical settings from the unconscious bias by medical professionals. She turned to Dr. Randolph Rasch, Dean and Professor of the Michigan State University College of Nursing, who spoke extensively about what implicit bias is. The practical impact of Executive Directive 2020-7 means those looking to get a new license or wants to renew their medical license will have to undergo bias training.

DETROIT In the early days of the coronavirus Michigan was already behind in funding per patient, according to a new report from democrats on the senate government oversight committee. As doctors and hospitals anxiously watch an uptick in cases that new report says Michigans response plan may have been hobbled by a lack of federal funding. June 25, 2020 update: Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 62,306, Death toll now at 5,886According to the report, which was done by the Committees minority staff, by April 10th, Michigan had more than 30,000 cases but had only received $31,000 per patient. At the same time, North Dakota only had 278 cases but received nearly $330,000 per COVID-19 case. The lack of funding also means Michigan needed more supplies but may not have had the money to compete against other states when bidding for critical equipment.

BAY CITY, Mich. Michigans largest 911 EMS and mobile healthcare provider, Medstar, will become the ambulance provider for McLaren Bay Region and the surrounding communities. McLaren Bay Region has provided emergency transportation services to Bay County more than 40 years. We recognize the commitment of McLaren Bay Region and the EMS employees over the last four decades, and look forward to building on that legacy with expanded services, additional vehicles, and new equipment, said Medstar CEO Kolby Miller. Medstar will also extend its EMT and nationally-recognized Paramedic education programs into Bay County as part of our training and workforce development initiatives. We look forward to welcoming the personnel from McLaren Bay Region into positions serving Bay County, as well as adding additional shifts and personnel.The transition will also extend Medstar LifeFlights air medical services to critically ill and injured patients in Bay County.

Wednesday brought big news for the 38,000 employees working for Beaumont Health. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566.

Beaumont Health and Advocate Aurora Health announced Wednesday that the two health systems are exploring a potential partnership.The organizations say they signed a non-binding letter of intent that paves the way to deeper discussions to create a leading health care system that would span across Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois. We are excited to explore this option with an organization as highly regarded as Advocate Aurora Health known for their track record in health outcomes, population health and consumer experience, said John Fox, president and chief executive officer, Beaumont Health, in a news release. Advocate Health Care and Aurora Health Care organizations merged in 2018 to create Advocate Aurora Health. The health systems say they will work closely with state and regulatory agencies throughout the process, which began with notifications to all three Attorneys General earlier this week. Advocate Aurora Health is one of the 10 largest not-for-profit, integrated health systems in the United States and a leading employer in the Midwest with more than 70,000 employees.

Wednesday brought big news for the 38,000 employees working for Beaumont Health. READ: Beaumont Health announces plan for partnership with Advocate Aurora HealthBeaumont announced it is in merger talks with Advocate Aurora Health, a major health care system in other parts of the Midwest. Advocate Aurora has a strong presence in Illinois and Wisconsin -- the merger could change the face of health care in Metro Detroit. Beaumont has 38,000 employees and Advocate Aurora has about 70,000. Beaumont serves about 178,000 inpatient discharges and Aurora works with an estimated 3 million patients a year.

The average stock in the index entered 2019 with a projected 24% gain, according to Bespoke. Company analysts see only modest upside for stocks overall this year, a rare view for the normally bullish crowd. For the 10 largest stocks, two Apple and JP Morgan Chase are already trading above their average price target. Consumer staples, financials and utilities are the three sectors with the lowest average upside, all below 3%. Energy is the only sector that cracks double digits, with the average price target 15.2% above the stock price.