Updates About Budget

Michigan celebrated a milestone in maternal and infant health this year, reporting its lowest infant mortality rate on record. In 2023, the state recorded 607 infant deaths—down from 650 the year before—bringing the overall rate to 6.1 per 1,000 live births. While disparities remain, there was notable progress among Black infants as well, with the mortality rate falling to a historic low of 11.9 per 1,000 live births. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) attributes this encouraging trend to continued investment in programs that strengthen community-centered care, expand access to resources, and support new parents throughout pregnancy and early childhood.

Through its Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies initiative, MDHHS has expanded postpartum Medicaid coverage and invested in evidence-based care models like doula services and CenteringPregnancy. Doulas, particularly those serving with organizations like the Black Mothers Breastfeeding Association, have played a vital role in improving outcomes for women of color by providing trusted emotional and educational support. Meanwhile, programs such as the Michigan Perinatal Quality Collaboratives and MI AIM are working at the hospital and community level to improve access to prenatal care, promote safe sleep practices, and implement safety protocols to reduce complications.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a warning that proposed reductions to the Food Assistance Program’s administrative budget could lead to staffing shortages, reduced access to whole foods, and longer wait times for families seeking support. One of the programs most at risk of significant disruptions is the Special Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which serves pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under five by providing nutritious foods through more than 1,400 contracted vendors across Michigan. Under the Senate’s proposed MDHHS budget, administrative funding would be reduced by $15 million compared to the current fiscal year.

According to department officials, the cuts could result in longer processing times for applications and renewals, especially as federal emergency aid phases out. While core program funding for benefits would remain in place, losses in administrative capacity may hinder the timely delivery of services to eligible families.

You may review the MDHHS presentation on the WIC program here.

Michigan is on track to see its third straight year of falling opioid overdose fatalities, with state figures showing a 34% drop from 2023 to 2024. Health officials attribute the trend to a combination of targeted public health efforts, expanded access to naloxone, and increased investments in prevention and treatment. A key player in this effort is $1.6 billion in opioid settlement funds received from major pharmaceutical retailers. Since receiving the funding, the state has supplied over a million naloxone kits and invested in community-based response programs. Since distributing the naloxone kits, more than 34,000 have been used in overdose reversals. Some of the funds are also being directed toward the early identification of harmful substances in the drug supply, preventing overdoses altogether.

While Michigan now ranks among the top five states for reducing overdose deaths, health advocates caution that the fight is far from over. Nonfatal overdoses continue to be alarmingly high, and long-term progress will depend on continued investment in treatment access, education, and stigma reduction.