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Reposted by Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH

John Z. Ayanian, MD, MPP @ihpidirector.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

A new policy brief highlights research by IHPI member @minalrpphd.bsky.social of @umichsph.bsky.social on the financial, social, and health-related burdens facing Michiganders with #diabetes and explores policy opportunities to improve access to affordable care. ➡️: ihpi.umich.edu/news-events/...

Many people with diabetes in Michigan experience financial stress and delayed care due to costs, even with insurance

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Testified (via Zoom) before the MI Senate Finance Committee on SB 701 & 702. My research shows unpredictable medical expenses drive delayed care and worse health. These bills add guardrails to prevent medical debt from escalating. Thanks to Sens. Sarah Anthony & Jonathan Lindsey and their teams.

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 12/11/2025

Our new study in @jamahealthforum.com shows: Medicaid coverage can be a springboard, not just a safety net. When health improved, employment nearly doubled (26%→47%) among adults with serious health burdens. Coverage supports work. @um-ihpi.bsky.social @umich.edu

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Testified today at Michigan Senate in support of SB 449-451 to protect 1M Michiganders from medical debt on credit reports. As I wrote in @freep.com , debt forgiveness helps but prevention is the solution. Grateful to legislators working on this.

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 06/08/2025

Gov. Whitmer just erased $144M in medical debt for 200K+ Michigan families 👏 That’s huge—but it’s not a fix. In my @freep.com op-ed, I explain how Michigan can prevent medical debt—not just forgive it: www.freep.com/story/opinio...

freep.com

Forgiving medical debt is crucial, but it won't fix our health care system | Opinion

Debt relief is a compassionate bandage, but without structural reform, the wound keeps reopening.

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 23/06/2025

Nearly 1 million Michiganders carry medical debt—that's more than double the populations of Grand Rapids, Lansing & Ann Arbor combined. 80% of medical bills contain errors, but we have a solution hiding in plain sight- CHWs. My latest in @bridgemi.com www.bridgemi.com/guest-commen...

bridgemi.com

Opinion | Michigan has tools to ease medical debt. Does it have the will? | Bridge Michigan

Medical debt is a public health issue, and Michigan should enlist Community Health Workers to help residents navigate a system designed to confuse.

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Minal R. Patel, PhD, MPH @minalrpphd.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

1/ 🚨 While we focus on "Make America Healthy Again," @larrylevitt.bsky.social argues we need "Make American Health Care Affordable Again" Thread on why this matters RIGHT NOW 🧵

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