Two Michigan health information networks will combine operations by the end of the year.

Key indexes for industrial activity across West Michigan recorded big declines for October that economist Brian Long partly attributes to the lengthy United Auto Workers strike again General Motors.

CUTLERVILLE — The psychiatric urgent care center Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services opened in the spring treated nearly 3,000 people during its first six months, proving a need to improve access to behavioral health care.

The $19.5 million contribution from Doug Meijer and the Meijer Foundation could generate “incredible” benefits for cancer research and treatment and boost philanthropy for the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.

Trade tariffs and the direction of the economy, coupled with concerns about the 2020 U.S. presidential election, weighed down expectations for mergers and acquisitions next year.

One of the barriers for health care providers responding to the opioid crisis in Michigan is a shortage of doctors trained in addiction medicine.

A new unit at the Michigan State Police attacks the opioid crisis by pursuing criminal investigations against doctors, advanced care practitioners and pharmacists suspected of illegally writing or dispensing controlled substances.

When Dr. Lynda Hulst went to work at Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital 18 months ago, patients typically waited a month to get into its chronic pain management program.

A pair of Spectrum Health-owned hospitals maintained their streaks by earnings top grades in a semi-annual report card on patient safety.

ALLEGAN — Perrigo Co. plc grew sales 5.1 percent in the third quarter, exceeding expectations and showing that a strategic plan President and CEO Murray Kessler put in place in the spring to improve sales and earnings is gaining traction.

KALAMAZOO — Stryker Corp. plans to buy Wright Medical Group N.V., a Netherlands-based maker of orthopedic products for the ankle, wrist, foot and shoulder, for $4 billion in cash.

Believing the pendulum has swung too far and often results in delays for patient care, physicians want state legislators to curtail the ability of health insurers to require prior authorization to cover a medical test, procedure or medication.

Business owners surveyed by PNC Bank remain optimistic about the local and national economies, despite worries about tariffs and pricing pressures and outlooks for slower growth ahead.

GRAND RAPIDS — A $5 million gift from Peter and Joan Secchia completes Michigan State University’s $30 million capital campaign for the downtown Grand Rapids Research Center.

State lawmakers are looking to set aside a panel’s decision that would require hospitals to earn third-party accreditation if they want to provide an emerging, complex and potentially lethal cancer treatment.

A federal lawsuit claims Stryker Corp. for years used bribery “as an integral part of its world-wide marketing strategy” to sell medical products to an agency of the Mexican government that provides care to residents.

SPARTA — Higher expenses mostly related to the Oct. 1 merger with County Bank Corp. cut into third quarter earnings for ChoiceOne Financial Services Inc.

Had state lawmakers failed to quickly enact legislation enabling licensed professional counselors in Michigan to continue working with clients with mental illness, the result at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services would have been “pretty horrible.”

A few years back, employers seldom asked about what they could do to make their employees better shoppers for health care.

A half-decade ago, it was a novelty to see your doctor through Skype or a video conference on your smartphone when you felt ill. 

If Michigan collects a share of what could become a multi-billion-dollar legal settlement with Purdue Pharma LP, Peter Jacobson believes the money needs to pay for prevention, treatment, and compensating people who became addicted to opioids.

A $500,000 grant from Wells Fargo Bank will enable Northern Initiatives to put a larger focus on diversifying its lending.

MUSKEGON — The origin of HyVIDA Brands Inc. goes back six or seven years when Rick Smith took a taste of sparkling water.

Doug Meijer, the former co-chairman of Meijer Inc., and the Meijer Foundation are giving $19.5 million to Michigan State University for a new facility on the College of Human Medicine’s research campus in downtown Grand Rapids, MiBiz has learned.

Independent Bank Corp. reported higher income for the third quarter of $12.4 million, or 55 cents per diluted share.

Macatawa Bank Corp. grew earnings nearly 20 percent in the third quarter from a year earlier.

MUSKEGON — L.C. Walker Arena will become Mercy Health Arena at the end of the year under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal between the city of Muskegon and the health system.

A researcher at Michigan State University secured federal backing for a study to examine the potential to use existing drugs to treat so-called orphan diseases.