ProPublica | B Birks
Reporting Highlights
Questioning Tests: Michigan officials expressed concern in 2020 about conflicting drug test results from Averhealth, the company doing the testing for the state’s child welfare agency.
No Answers: The company didn’t tell Michigan that the lab’s accreditor had placed it on probation. Averhealth has defended the accuracy of its testing, citing an independent review.
Inside the Lab: Former employees told ProPublica the lab was understaffed and had broken and poorly maintained instruments, and they were pressured to speed delivery of test results.