CPAN displayed a mobile billboard during the recent State of the State Address in downtown Lansing.

Last week, the Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault (CPAN) filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking data from the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association (MCCA). Transparency is being sought to provide lawmakers and the public with the necessary information to learn whether drastic changes to the state's auto no-fault insurance system are needed, as first proposed in the fall.

As currently written, House Bill 4936 and Senate Bill 649, introduced by Rep. Peter Lund (R-Shelby Township) and Sen. Joe Hune (R-Hamburg) respectively, would result in reduced critical care for residents injured in auto accidents and significant financial burdens absorbed by their families. It would also shift the costs of their care onto taxpayers and an underfunded Medicaid program.

Proponents of the legislation assert that Michigan's no-fault insurance system is financially unsustainable. However, the data to support this has not yet been seen by lawmakers or the public. Advocates for the existing system have continuously requested the data in hopes that a meaningful and open review of the issue could take place, resulting in a course of action that protects both traumatically injured auto accident victims and consumers.

Michigan's auto no-fault insurance law has ensured needed medical and rehabilitation benefits for people injured in auto accidents since 1973. Without it, auto accident victims would not be able to afford the extensive care they require after traumatic injuries. To date, the law has been successfully protected by members of CPAN, which includes the MHA and 27 additional organizations. More information is available online or by contacting Laura Appel at the MHA.

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The current health care environment is demanding a new way of thinking and operating. The MHA Physician Leadership Academy grew out of conversations among physician and executive leaders about the disruptive age of health care, how providers must demonstrate value to stakeholders, and the skills needed to create the ideal future. Physicians will work hand-in-hand with executives and governing board members to lead the changes that create a health care market that serves customers and consumers.

The MHA Physician Leadership Academy is a three-pronged approach to medical staff leadership, focusing on physician performance, innovative health care policy and leadership skills that create authentic relationships committed to delivering the best care possible. The MHA has partnered with the American College of Physician Executives on the academy to deliver excellent content and continuing medical education credits, as well as credits toward a Certified Physician Executive designation and a master's degree in management.

The first session, You're Not Just a Doctor Anymore: Physician as Leader, Influencer and Communicator, is scheduled for April 27 and 28 in Lansing, followed by Effective Physician Leadership, scheduled for July 27 and 28 in Traverse City. Single-session registration is available, and a discount is offered for those who register for both sessions. Registrations received by Feb. 29 include an early-registration discount. For more information, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

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The government and health care stakeholders are working to begin to bend the health care cost curve by implementing contracting and payment strategies designed to improve value and efficiency. Quality metrics and patient satisfaction scores will have a significant impact on how much hospitals and physicians are paid in the near future. Given the time and investment required to evaluate new reimbursement methodologies, organizations may question whether they should focus on their Medicare strategy, commercial payer strategy, or both. The MHA Health Foundation webinar Health Care Reform's Impact on Contracting and Reimbursement and How Hospitals and Physicians can Position for Success shares industry-proven solutions to difficult contracting and reimbursement issues. Participants will leave with action plans to prepare for new payment methodologies. The webinar is scheduled from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 7, and MHA members can register for a connection fee of $195. For more information, contact Leigh Anne Jewison at the MHA.

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The deadline to nominate a worthy community health program for the 2012 Ludwig Community Benefit Award is Feb. 9. Named for Patric E. Ludwig, former MHA president and president of Bronson Healthcare Group, Kalamazoo, the award honors hospital programs that carry on the legacy of leadership and community partnership that Ludwig demonstrated throughout his life. MHA-member health care organizations may nominate collaborative health, economic or social programs that demonstrate community benefit by improving the health and well-being of their communities.

The honor includes a $3,000 cash award from the MHA Health Foundation's Community Health Improvement Fund to assist the recipient in its efforts to benefit its community. For more information, contact Clark Ballard at the MHA.

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published changes to the hospital conditions of participation on pharmacy and medication management. Staying compliant with pharmacy and medication management standards requires rigorous processes and constant diligence because standards demand accuracy, meeting the requirements involves effective communication among many clinicians, and the consequences of a medication error can be catastrophic. The MHA Health Foundation webinar Ensuring Compliance with the CMS 2012 Pharmacy and Medication Management Conditions of Participation will help hospitals evaluate where to make improvements in existing policies. The webinar is scheduled from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 1, and MHA members can register for a connection fee of $195. Members with questions should contact Leigh Anne Jewison at the MHA.

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Applications are being accepted through March 15 for the 2012-2013 AHA-NPSF Comprehensive Patient Safety Leadership Fellowship, co-sponsored by the American Hospital Association and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). The fellowship is a yearlong program for clinical and administrative leaders dedicated to improving quality and patient safety. Through a highly participatory learning experience, fellows gain competency with advanced patient safety concepts and are able to use those concepts through an action learning project. Program details and forms to recommend a colleague are available online. Members with questions should contact Sam R. Watson at the MHA.

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• The registration deadline is today for those Michigan residents who wish to vote in the Feb. 28 presidential primary election. Individuals are able to obtain registration documents, applications for absentee ballots, a primary election timeline and more by visiting the Secretary of State's website dedicated to the Feb. 28 primary election. This information is also available on the MHA's election Web page, which will host additional details about key races, candidates and more as the 2012 election year progresses.

• The MHA Health Foundation webinar Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility Coding Update will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday. This webinar will address the complex billing and coding issues for inpatient rehabilitation facility staff and how to prepare supporting documentation of patient resources that will help prevent claims denials. For more information, contact Leigh Anne Jewison at the MHA.

• MHA Patient Safety and Quality Member Forums will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tuesday at MHA headquarters, Lansing, and from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday at Otsego Memorial Hospital, Gaylord. Participants will receive a member update on the quality and patient safety activities of the MHA, with a specific focus on the MHA Patient Safety Organization. For more information, contact Janice Jones at the MHA.

• The Hospital Affiliated Legislative Officers will meet from 8:30 to 9:30 Tuesday at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center, Lansing, and via conference call. Participants will discuss the status of negotiations on auto no-fault reform and other legislative activity expected in coming weeks. For more information, contact David Finkbeiner at the MHA.

• The MHA Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Board of Directors will meet from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Thursday at MHA headquarters, Lansing. Participants will review the 2012 MHA PSO budget. For more information, contact Sam R. Watson at the MHA.

• The MHA Health Foundation webinar Preventing Avoidable Hospital Readmissions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday. This webinar will outline health care reform provisions designed to reduce preventable hospital readmissions and ways to connect hospital improvement with partnering community organizations. For more information, contact Leigh Anne Jewison at the MHA.

• The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) Office of Public Health Preparedness will host the 2012 Healthcare Preparedness Conference, Preparedness Planning: A Look at Current Trends, at 8 a.m. March 2 at the Causeway Bay Hotel, Lansing. Topics will include pediatric disaster preparedness, security threats to health care, and more. Registration for this free conference can be completed through a MI-TRAIN account by using Course ID Number 1030727. Members with questions should contact Theresa Jenkins at the MDCH.