Rising medical costs and the expiration of enhanced federal insurance subsidies are squeezing Michigan households, while small businesses face another year of higher employee benefit expenses. LANSING — Michigan families and small businesses face another expensive year for health insurance after state regulators approved average premium increases of 14.2% for individual policies and 9.6% for
Attorney General Dana Nessel accuses Michigan's largest health insurer of restricting competition and increasing costs for families, businesses and taxpayers. Blue Cross denies the allegations, and Michigan's next attorney general will inherit the lawsuit in January. LANSING — Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Michigan employers report sharply rising insurance premiums that threaten hiring, wages and expansion. Jocelyn Benson and John James offer different approaches to controlling costs. LANSING — Michigan small-business owners are facing employee health insurance premium increases of up to $2,000 or more per worker, potentially adding tens of thousands of dollars to annual operating expenses
Michigan will need thousands more caregivers as its senior population grows toward 2.4 million. But nursing homes, assisted-living communities, and in-home care companies already face a more immediate problem: keeping the caregivers they have. ANN ARBOR - Many frontline caregivers earn less than $20 an hour. Michigan employers say better compensation is one of the
MVCA's VentureTrack 2026 will train Michigan's next generation of venture investors as the state tries to turn research and startups into companies producing high-paying jobs. Michigan's $56 billion bioscience industry shows what's at stake. ANN ARBOR — Michigan has nearly 48,000 bioscience jobs paying an average $110,204 a year. A statewide effort to train more
ANN ARBOR - Michigan seniors are about to hear a lot about rising Medicare Part D premiums next year. But healthcare experts say they're looking at the wrong number. The biggest financial risk for many retirees in 2027 may not be paying an extra $10 or $20 a month in premiums. It could be choosing—or
LANSING — Nearly half a million Michigan residents who rely on Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage are now paying significantly higher health insurance costs in 2026, with early enrollment data showing tens of thousands may already be abandoning coverage altogether as enhanced Obamacare subsidies expire and Republican-backed healthcare spending cuts begin taking effect nationally. New
ANN ARBOR - Michigan’s rural hospitals are entering a more dangerous phase of financial stress—driven by rising healthcare costs, growing numbers of uninsured patients, and mounting federal budget pressure tied to global conflict. What was, just weeks ago, a policy concern is increasingly becoming a real-world risk. With the Iran war now stretching into its
As federal lawmakers weigh how to fund escalating military operations, healthcare programs that support Michigan’s most vulnerable communities—including rural hospitals—are emerging as potential targets. ANN ARBOR — Rising U.S. war costs tied to Iran are triggering a budget debate in Washington that could have immediate consequences in Michigan—where rural hospitals and patients are especially vulnerable
Program gaining traction among cannabis dispensaries, restaurants and small retailers facing high employee turnover. PINCKNEY - Discover how the new wellness benefit program can help small and mid-sized businesses retain workers, cut payroll taxes, and boost employee take-home pay. As businesses across Michigan continue to struggle with employee retention and rising healthcare costs, a new
