Michigan hospitals need help, association warns

The worst economy in decades is crippling Michigan hospitals, causing large financial losses, layoffs, and cuts in programs and construction, according to the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. The Association went to the unusual step of releasing information about hospital losses from last year's third's quarter to alert the state Legislature that hospitals need help. One possible source could be new federal Medicaid money the state expects to get through President Barack Obama's economic stimulus legislation.