Michigan
A Healthier Future: Improving Access for Immigrant Families in Michigan
Byline: Lenise Freeman, Government Relations and Public Policy Fellow
Accessing healthcare can be a daunting experience for anyone, but it poses unique challenges for immigrants and refugees. I recently participated in a breakout session at the Michigan Association for Local Public Health (MALPH) Conference held in Muskegon, Michigan, where we explored the systemic barriers that immigrant communities face in accessing healthcare. As a first-generation daughter of an immigrant, I know firsthand the barriers my mother faced while navigating the English language in healthcare settings. I often found myself translating medical jargon and filling out forms to ensure she received the care she needed. Hearing similar stories from others at the conference reinforced my commitment to advocate for better support for these individuals.
Insights from the immigrant health needs assessment conducted by the Washtenaw County Health Department reveal key challenges that immigrants and refugees face. Language barriers stand out as one of the most significant obstacles. Many struggle with English, making it hard to understand medical terms and navigate the healthcare system. One participant shared their experience as the only English speaker in their family, responsible for translating sensitive medical information. This scenario is common, underscoring the need for better communication support.
Beyond language challenges, the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system create additional barriers to access. Immigrants may be unfamiliar with fundamental concepts like making appointments or understanding insurance options. This is particularly concerning for immigrant children and pregnant individuals, who are often at greater risk of being uninsured. Legislation like House Bill (HB) 4740 aims to address this issue by suspending the five-year waiting period for immigrant children and pregnant individuals to eligible for Medicaid or the MI Child program. This bill would extend coverage to children up to 21 years of age and pregnant individuals, regardless of their length of residence in the United States. This is a critical step in ensuring these vulnerable populations receive the healthcare they need, especially in maternal and infant health.
Cultural differences also complicate matters, as traditional healthcare practices may differ from what is available in the U.S. For instance, some cultures may have stigmas surrounding mental health, deterring individuals from seeking necessary help. Additionally, a lack of access to healthy food and unfamiliarity with resources like food assistance programs can adversely impact overall well-being.
To foster a more inclusive healthcare community, improving training programs is essential. Hospitals should implement cultural competency training for their staff, equipping them with the skills to understand and respect diverse practices and beliefs. This training can help alleviate fears among immigrants and refugees about accessing services, particularly in maternal and infant health. Partnering with individuals from immigrant and refugee communities to serve as liaisons or community health workers can further enhance inclusivity. These trusted individuals can bridge communication gaps and build trust, encouraging community members to seek the care they need without fear or hesitation.
The findings from the Washtenaw County Health Department’s immigrant health needs assessment reveal pressing challenges that require our immediate attention. Language barriers and unfamiliarity with the U.S. healthcare system pose significant risks for immigrants and refugees, often preventing them from accessing essential care. That’s why I encourage healthcare providers to prioritize cultural competency training, which helps ensure immigrant children and pregnant individuals have the insurance access they deserve.
I firmly believe everyone deserves equitable access to medical care, regardless of their background or language proficiency. It’s crucial to amplify the voices of those who often go unheard, ensuring their needs are recognized and addressed within our healthcare system.
In a game Michigan had to have by any means, it found a way. The Wolverines trailed for over 36 minutes at home on Tuesday night, gave up 50 points in the first half, and made just one of their final 15 3-point attempts. Somehow, Michigan won anyway, knocking off No. 5 Nebraska to keep its Big Ten title hopes healthy.
The Wolverines survived the barrage of early threes and outlasted the undermanned Huskers, recording stops on eight of the final nine possessions of the game to pull away with a game-winning 6-0 run down the stretch.
Writing this recap, I can’t help but feel like I’m on the other side of a script that I’ve written routinely on this site over the years. We’ve all seen this story before: a five-out team spreads out a bigger, more talented team and makes them look like they’ve never played basketball before with a barrage of threes and cutting layups.
In the end, the threes go cold, and the bigger team wins the game by overwhelming its opponent in areas that are impossible to outscheme: offensive rebounds, defense, and free throws.
When John Beilein’s teams lost, this is usually what it looked like. Tonight, Michigan wore the other shoe.
Nebraska played the better game, but Michigan was the bigger, deeper, and more talented team. The Wolverines went to the free-throw line 23 times, knocking down 14 of 17 in the second half, and scored 14 of their 27 second-half points on second-chance opportunities to escape with the crucial home win.
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Michigan
Michigan football releases 2026 schedule for first season under head coach Kyle Whittingham
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The University of Michigan Athletic Department and the Big Ten Conference announced the 2026 football schedule for the first season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham and his Michigan Wolverines.
The schedule, which features eight home games, including all four in September, was announced on Tuesday (Jan. 27).
Michigan will kick off its 147th football season with three non-conference home games: Western Michigan on Sept. 5, Oklahoma on Sept. 12, and UTEP on Sept. 19.
Following these, the Wolverines will begin their nine-game Big Ten schedule.
The conference opener will be at home against Iowa on Sept. 26, marking Michigan’s 120th Big Ten conference opener at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan’s first road game of the season will be Oct. 3 at Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium.
The Wolverines and Golden Gophers will compete for the Little Brown Jug, college football’s oldest trophy, in the 100th meeting of this historic rivalry.
Michigan holds a commanding 74-23-2 record in the previous 99 contests.
After a bye week, Michigan returns home for back-to-back games against Penn State on Oct. 17 and defending national champion Indiana on Oct. 24.
The Wolverines will then travel to Rutgers for an Oct. 31 game.
The annual rivalry game against Michigan State has been pushed back a week and will take place Nov. 7 at Michigan Stadium.
The two teams will battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy in the 74th meeting of this series.
Michigan leads the series 42-29-2 and holds a 75-38-5 advantage overall in the rivalry, which dates back to 1898.
The Wolverines will then travel to Eugene, Oregon, for their first matchup against the Ducks as conference opponents on Nov. 14 at Autzen Stadium.
A week later, the Wolverines will host new Big Ten opponent UCLA at Michigan Stadium on Nov. 21.
The regular season will conclude with the 122nd meeting of “The Game” against Ohio State on Nov. 28 at Ohio Stadium.
Michigan has won its last two trips to Columbus, 45-23 in 2022 and 13-10 in 2024, and holds a 62-53-6 advantage in the all-time series.
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Sept. 5 | Western Michigan |
| Sept. 12 | Oklahoma Sooners |
| Sept. 19 | UTEP |
| Sept 26 | Iowa Hawkeyes |
| Oct. 3 | at Minnesota Golden Gophers |
| Oct. 10 | BYE |
| Oct. 17 | Penn State Nitanny Lions |
| Oct. 24 | Indiana Hoosiers |
| Oct. 31 | at Rutgers Scarlett Knights |
| Nov. 7 | Michigan State |
| Nov. 14 | at Oregon Ducks |
| Nov. 21 | UCLA Bruins |
| Nov. 28 | at Ohio State Buckeyes |
Copyright 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.
Michigan
Michigan student who left frat party in just T-shirt and jeans found dead in ‘extreme cold’
A missing University of Michigan student has been found dead more than a day after he was last seen leaving a fraternity party in just a T-shirt and jeans in bone-chilling storm temperatures, according to police.
Engineering student Lucas Mattson, 19, was last seen walking without a jacket at around 1 a.m. Friday, as temperatures plummeted as low as 0 degrees, WILX reported.
His body was found Saturday night following a 20-hour search in “extreme cold conditions,” police said.
Mattson is one of at least 34 to die from Winter Storm Fern, which impacted more than two-thirds of all Americans.
“At this time, we can share that prior to disappearing, Lucas was attending a party at a fraternity house as a guest; he was neither a member nor a pledge,” University of Michigan interim president Domenico Grasso said in a statement, warning against “misinformation” spreading about his death around the school community.
“We must let the investigators complete their work and refrain from speculation until the facts are known.”
Mattson was reported missing at 4:30 p.m. Friday, according to the Ann Arbor Police Department. Officers spent the whole night searching but were unable to find him.
His body was later located Saturday night on Cambridge Road, cops said.
“The nearly 20-hour search effort to locate him took place in extreme cold conditions and included officers from AAPD and University of Michigan Division of Public Safety and Security, as well as the University of Michigan Police Department Drone Unit,” police said in a press release.
There were no signs of trauma and foul play is not suspected at this time, cops said.
The Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death, police said.
Grasso said he’s asked school officials to retrace the events of the night Mattson disappeared “to better understand what transpired and identify possible steps to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.”
“I am grateful for the outpouring of support from so many people worried about Lucas’s welfare, including those who searched for him in extremely difficult weather conditions,” the university president said.
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