New health agency created in Michigan

LANSING, MI (AP)--   State regulators have created a new agency to focus on health care providers.

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs said Thursday that it's forming a new Bureau of Health Care Services.

The agency combines the bureaus for health professions and health systems under one umbrella.

The licensing department says the move is designed to make Michigan's regulatory system "simple, fair and efficient" while still protecting the vulnerable.

The department says the transition to the new bureau will occur over the next few weeks.