Committees & Councils

MHA Committees, Councils and Task Forces

Participation in an MHA committee, council or task force allows MHA members to influence and guide policymaking decisions for the association. The call to serve on its committees, councils and task forces is now open!  The online nomination form is located on the MHA Portal.  Submissions must be received by June 17, 2022. Please note there will be no extension to this deadline.

Those MHA members interested in serving on a committee, council or task force should complete the self-nominating form. The MHA Committees, Councils, Work Groups and Task Forces Guide provides additional details and clarifications for the respective roles of each group. Also provided is the MHA Committees, Councils and Task Forces Nomination Process Guide for step-by-step instructions.

MHA committees, councils and task forces have specific purposes:

• MHA Committees focus primarily on programmatic issues.
• MHA Councils explore and examine issues unique to a specific group within the MHA membership.
• Participating Hospital Advisory (PHA) Committees provide nonbinding input on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PHA activities including billing, payment practices, utilization management and quality assurance.
• Task Forces work primarily on a single issue, generally over a short time period. Work groups convene as circumstances warrant or input is required.

The MHA also convenes work groups when circumstances warrant their creation or input on a specific issue is required.

MHA Committees

Behavioral Health Integration

This council guides the MHA’s policy efforts for behavioral/physical health integration. Develops recommendations addressing access to behavioral healthcare services and fostering integration with the greater healthcare delivery system.
Staff secretary: Lauren LaPine

Hospital Affiliated Legislative Officers (HALO)

This committee/work group complements the MHA Legislative Policy Panel through the coordination of day-to-day advocacy efforts with members and by monitoring and reviewing healthcare policy, state budget activities and proposed/pending state and federal legislation.
Staff secretary: Adam Carlson

Michigan Green Healthcare

The committee promotes sustainable strategies for healthcare facilities and generates new ideas and initiatives to respond to emerging needs or concerns and meet environmental, economic and social objectives.
Staff secretary: Erica Leyko

Participating Hospital Agreement (PHA) Advisory Committee

This committee provides input to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) on PHA contract matters.

• Utilization Management & Quality Assessment – Staff Secretary: Jason Jorkasky

This committee provides input to BCBSM on PHA contract matters.

• Benefit Administration – Staff Secretary: Vickie Kunz

This committee provides input to BCBSM on billing and claims processing issues

Quality and Accountability

The committee provides input on MHA policy issues related to safety, quality management and compliance issues, including performance improvement and accreditation/regulatory compliance. The committee also identifies, develops and recommends policy solutions, guided by the MHA data principles, to position the MHA as the primary source for hospital and healthcare data and information. As delegated by the MHA Board of Trustees, the committee will provide member feedback for the www.verifymicare.org website, including measure addition, removal and maintenance.

The committee routinely reviews accreditation standards and policy changes that affect providers as proposed by organizations such as the Joint Commission, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Additionally, this committee facilitates MHA feedback regarding national quality initiatives including those of the American Hospital Association, National Quality Forum and the Joint Commission.
Staff secretary: Michelle Norcross and Gwen Schroeder

MHA Councils

Chief Financial Officer Council

This council identifies and analyzes finance policy and payer matters that affect MHA member hospitals and health systems. In addition, the council develops and recommends, strategies to address identified issues based on MHA Board of Trustees’ priorities.
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Council on Children’s Health

The Council on Children’s Health focuses on issues unique to the advancement of children’s health in Michigan.
Staff secretary: Laura Appel

Financial Policy Council

The council identifies and analyzes, finance policy and payer matters that affect MHA member hospitals and health systems. In addition, the council develops and recommends, strategies to address identified issues based on MHA Board of Trustees’ priorities.
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Health Information Technology Strategy

This council identifies and develops strategies to help the MHA and its members with health information technology issues by reviewing regulatory and industry trends with significant implications for member hospitals.
Staff secretary: Jim Lee

Human Resources Council

This council advances the mission of the MHA and the role of human resource (HR) leaders by providing input on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to healthcare employers including healthcare workforce sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts; and workplace safety. The council provides networking and educational opportunities for HR professionals, dissemination of best practices, and data collection and reporting relating to hospital and health system workforce metrics.
Staff secretary: Nancy McKeague

Legislative Policy Panel

This council identifies and analyzes healthcare legislation impacting MHA members and Michigan’s healthcare community. It also recommends formal association positions on legislation and helps guide association advocacy efforts based on the MHA Board of Trustees’ legislative and political priorities.
Staff secretary: Adam Carlson

Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council (PFEAC)

The PFEAC promotes and accelerates person and family engagement and the principles of person- and family-centered care in Michigan hospitals. It provides the voice of patients and families within the MHA and MHA Keystone Center. Learn about Person- and Family- Centered Healthcare ›
Staff secretary: Erin Steward

Physicians in Healthcare Leadership

The Physicians in Healthcare Leadership Council focuses on the unique issues related to physicians, including physician integration and interaction within hospitals, healthcare systems and physician practices. This council promotes and advances the role of physician leadership and facilitates their education; provides insight, advice and recommendations to the MHA and the MHA governing boards; and serves as a catalyst for the delivery of healthcare.
Staff secretary: Gary Roth, DO

Small or Rural Hospitals

This council identifies and examines issues unique to small and rural providers from a regulatory and policy development viewpoint. Informs policy- and decision-making bodies of the MHA.
Staff secretary: Lauren LaPine

Participating Hospital Agreement Committees

Benefit Administration

The committee provides input to BCBSM on billing and claims processing issues.
Staff secretary: Vickie Kunz

PHA Advisory

The committee provides input to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) on Participating Hospital Agreement contract matters
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Utilization Management & Quality Assessment

Provides input to BCBSM on matters that are relevant to utilization, quality and health management.
Staff secretary: Rob Wood and Jason Jorkasky

MHA Regional Councils