Category: Issues in Healthcare

MHA Podcast Uplifts National Rural Health Day feat. Munson Healthcare

Member News, MiCare Champion Cast, Issues in Healthcare

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews each month with experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

The November 2023 episode, released on National Rural Health Day, features Small and Rural Hospital Council Chair Peter Marinoff, president and CEO of Munson Healthcare’s (MHC) Southern Region. Marinoff is joined by Lauren LaPine, senior director of legislative and public policy at the MHA.

Marinoff, who joined MHC in 1999, currently oversees Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital, Manistee Hospital and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort. LaPine, in addition to overseeing the Small and Rural Hospital Council, serves as staff secretary to the MHA’s Behavioral Health Integration Council and Public Health Task Force.

Throughout the episode, Marinoff and LaPine explore the unique challenges facing Michigan’s rural hospitals; what rural issues are being prioritized at the state and federal level; how MHC is prioritizing the well-being of their workforce and communities; and how decision-makers can support rural communities.

While discussing the behavioral health needs of rural residents, Marinoff details MHC’s work with the Regional Community Health Opioid Initiative, which was featured in the MHA’s 2023 Community Benefit Report. The program improves access to Substance Use Disorder treatment and resources while addressing stigma, ensuring safe prescribing and educating patients and providers.

MHA CEO Brian Peters also released a statement for National Rural Health Day celebrating the work of Michigan’s small and rural hospitals and health systems, where teams are often tasked with caring for some of the state’s most vulnerable patients with less resources than their urban counterparts.

The episode is available to stream on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Questions or idea submissions for future MiCare Champion Cast episodes can be sent to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA. To learn more about small and rural health efforts at the MHA, visit the rural health webpage or contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Issues Statement on National Rural Health Day

Issues in Healthcare, News Releases

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

“As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, we want to express our gratitude to all our rural hospitals that play a key role in ensuring the health and wellness of rural Michigan. Not only do rural hospitals provide high quality, safe care, but they also are local economic leaders, often serving as one of, if not the, largest employer in town. While they experience many challenges, our state is fortunate to have a collection of strong rural hospitals focused on maintaining access to important healthcare services while doing everything they can to benefit their local communities.”

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing Committee Hearing Recap

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 regarding a committee hearing on proposed nurse staffing ratio legislation. Additional topics covered include hospital market activity, rural emergency hospitals, behavioral health, the state’s STEMI system and the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.

The coverage includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters, as well as MHA board member Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; and Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel also appears in an American Hospital Association podcast episode.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Nov. 16

Friday, Nov. 10

Thursday, Nov. 9

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Monday, Nov. 6

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

House Committee Hears Testimony on One-Size-Fits-All Nurse Staffing Ratios

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA board member Beth Charlton provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
MHA board member Beth Charlton provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
MHA board member Beth Charlton, BSN, RN, provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.

The House Health Policy Committee held a testimony-only hearing Nov. 9 on mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, House Bills 4550-4552. The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals. The legislation, which does not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, is opposed by the MHA as well as a diverse set of coalition partners including health plans, chambers of commerce, other nursing organizations and healthcare providers. As evidenced in California, where there is a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years, this is a proposed policy in search of serious problems. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions during a national workforce crisis. The MHA will continue to propose real solutions to address healthcare workforce vacancies and oppose proposals that negatively impact the health of communities across Michigan.

The MHA, several member hospital nurse leaders, the Michigan Organization of Nursing Leadership and American Nurses Association – Michigan testified in opposition. Further, nurses and nurse leaders from across the state joined the MHA in advocating against this effort. The impact the legislation will have on patients in the state is too serious to ignore; hospital nurses showed up in droves to share their concerns for their patients, their communities and Michigan’s access to care.

Doug Dascenzo provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan, provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.

In conjunction with the testimony, the MHA released a letter on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552. This follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.

The legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and further voting for the calendar year is not anticipated. However, work on this issue won’t stop. Members are encouraged to continue to contact their legislators through the MHA Legislative Action Center, participate in legislator’s local coffee hours and town halls, and connect with other local leaders to encourage opposition to legislation that will reduce access to care and harm communities.

Members with any questions may contact Adam Carlson and Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

An Open Letter to Michigan Patients and Communities

Issues in Healthcare, News Releases, Member News

The following letter is on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan.

Dear Michigan Families,

Our shared mission as hospitals is to advance the health of individuals and communities. For decades, we’ve worked collaboratively – not competitively – on the things that matter most to you: delivering safe, high-quality care when you need it, where you need it, whether that’s in downtown Detroit or the farthest reaches of the Upper Peninsula and everywhere in between. Maintaining timely access to services for every patient is what we work to preserve every single day.

Unfortunately, the Michigan Legislature is currently considering legislation that would result in the closure of more than 5,100 hospital beds statewide. That’s the equivalent of closing every hospital north of Grand Rapids and Flint. The legislation sounds good in a sound bite: more nurses at the bedside, ‘round the clock. But like most things in life, it’s not that simple. Michigan hospitals currently have 8,400 nurse openings posted on job boards. Hospitals are focused at the local level on listening to nurses, getting them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and have work-life balance, and protecting them from violent attacks in the workplace. Hospitals proudly fought to get tougher penalties enacted for visitors who attack healthcare workers, and this week that bill will go to Governor Whitmer’s desk. We’re also focused on building effective care teams and not relying only on RNs to care for patients 24/7. We’re partnering with higher education to build nurse training and education programs and capacity.

Sadly, House Bills 4550 – 4552 override local nurses’ decision-making about how to staff their units and care for patients. Instead, they would implement a government mandate that would apply a one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient ratio for RNs in every hospital, no matter its size, location, how sick its patients are or how experienced its nurses and care teams are. We, 100% of Michigan’s hospitals, stand united in our opposition to this misguided legislation. The Michigan Organization of Nursing Leadership and the American Nurses Association – Michigan, who both recognize the unintended consequences the legislation would have on patient access, also oppose mandated staffing ratios.

We all want more nurses. That’s why we’re trying to hire 8,400 of them today. For hospitals to meet the mandates in the legislation, they would have to find more than 13,000 nurses to hire. If we can’t fill the 8,400 openings we have now, how would we fill 13,000 positions – and at a time when nurses are also critically needed in nursing homes and other settings? Unfortunately, this legislation will force the hospitals you rely on to be there if you’re in a car accident, fall off the ladder hanging Christmas lights or are battling a terrible disease, to either break the law and keep services running without the mandatory nurse ratios (which will also make healthcare more expensive due to billion dollars in fines that will be assessed), or instead, they will close services and beds. That means longer wait times for everything from emergency visits to surgeries. It means many of Michigan’s 130 hospitals could all be “on diversion” at the same time, meaning patients get bounced around because nobody has open beds. This is an awful experience for patients and could be deadly especially in Michigan’s rural areas or amidst bad weather. Studies have proven that statewide nurse patient ratios implemented in California did not improve safety or outcomes. Their hospitals overall are not safer than Michigan’s. Nurses did not flock to California when they adopted ratios. In fact, California currently has a nurse shortage numbering in the tens of thousands. Ratios didn’t fix that – and it won’t fix the shortage in Michigan.

Hospitals and our nurse leaders – as well as a large coalition of organizations across industries, who all oppose this legislation – are imploring the Legislature to preserve access to care, and let local patients’ needs drive a hospital’s staffing models. Let’s use innovative programs like virtual nursing to support patient care and let nurses do the bedside work they do best. Let our care teams work together across professions to ensure a patient gets what they need and we maintain a robust and diverse pipeline of patient care professionals. Let’s work together on common-sense solutions that nearly every other state has adopted, like being part of the national Nurse Licensure Compact allowing licensed nurses to work in other states. Let’s work together on rebuilding our nursing and patient care professional talent pipeline.

Adopting misguided legislation that will reduce services and close hospital beds, and that will do nothing to create the thousands of new nurses we need in Michigan, is bad public policy. Instead, let’s remember that there’s so much we have done, and can do, together. Let’s get to work on real solutions that will protect patients, protect access, grow the nursing workforce and ensure those nurses have safe, fulfilling workplaces.

Sincerely,

Brian Peters
CEO
Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Carol Schmidt
SVP Ascension, & Ministry Market Executive
Ascension Michigan

Dean Kindler MD
President & CEO SW Region
Ascension Borgess, Lee, Pipp & Allegan Hospitals

Douglas Apple MD
Chief Clinical Officer & Interim President and CEO Ascension Genesys Hospital

Michael Wiemann MD
Regional President & CEO
Ascension Michigan – Southfield, Novi, Rochester

Kevin Grady MD
Regional President & CEO
Ascension Michigan – Warren, Madison Heights, St. John and River District

Jordan Jeon
Interim Regional President Ascension
Ascension Standish Hospital and St. Joseph

Christine Harff BSN
Regional President, Upper Peninsula
Aspirus Iron River, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Hospitals

Paula Chermside
Chief Administrative Officer
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics, Inc.

Rob Stowe
Chief Executive Officer
Baraga County Memorial Hospital

Maria Behr
President
Beacon Health System – Three Rivers Health System, Inc.

Dustin Ames
Chief Executive Officer
Beaumont Behavioral Health

Bill Manns
President & CEO
Bronson Healthcare Group

Steve Vernon
Chief Executive Officer
Cedar Creek Hospital

Fazleomar Mahmood MD
Chief Medical Officer
Chelsea Hospital

Benjamin Miles
President
Chelsea Hospital

Cheryl Taylor MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Chelsea Hospital

Tina Freese Decker
President & CEO
Corewell Health

Andrea Leslie MSN, RN
Regional Market Leader
Corewell Health Big Rapids, Greenville, and Reed City Hospitals

Darryl Elmouchi MD
Interim President, Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan
Corewell Health East

Chris Fox RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – St. Joseph Hospital

Drew Dostal BSN
Regional Market Leader
Corewell Health Ludington and Gerber Hospital

Bill Hoefer
Market Leader
Corewell Health Pennock and Zeeland Hospitals

Loren Hamel MD
President, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan
Corewell Health South

Connie Harmon RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital

Alejandro Quiroga MD
President of Corewell Health West
Corewell Health West

Debbie Guido-Allen BSN, RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn

Derk Pronger
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills and Grosse Pointe

Daniel Carey MD
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak

Kristine Donahue RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne

Nancy Susick MSN, RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Troy

Beth Charlton BSN, RN
President/CEO
Covenant HealthCare

Angela McConnachie MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Deckerville Community Hospital and Marlette Regional Hospital

Brittany Lavis
Group Chief Executive Officer
Detroit Medical Center

Archie Drake BSN
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Brady Dubois
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Detroit Harper and Receiving Hospitals

Patty Jobbit
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Lance Beus
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

Gary Purushotham
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital

Timothy Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Eaton Rapids Medical Center

Michael Nanzer
Chief Executive Officer
Forest View Hospital

Saju George
Regional CEO – Prime Healthcare MI Market
Garden City Hospital and Lake Huron Medical Center

Jill Wehner
President & CEO
Harbor Beach Community Hospital Inc.

Jamie White
Chief Executive Officer
Havenwyck

Michael Beaulieu MD
Chief Medical Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Hunter Nostrant
President & Chief Executive Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Michele Petersen MSN, BSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Robert Riney
President and CEO
Henry Ford Health

Andrew Daniels
President & CEO
Hills & Dales General Hospital

Jeremiah Hodshire
President & Chief Executive Officer
Hillsdale Hospital

Dale Sowders
Chief Executive Officer
Holland Hospital

Patti VanDort MSN, RN
President
Holland Hospital

Melany Gavulic RN
President and CEO
Hurley Medical Center

Kevin Rogols
Chief Executive Officer
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center

Karen Cheeseman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Mackinac Straits Health System, Inc.

Amanda Shelast
President
Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson

Kent Riddle
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

Steve Barnett CRNA
President & CEO
McKenzie Health System

Darrell Lentz
President & CEO
McLaren Bay Region

Connie Koutouzos
President & CEO
McLaren Caro Region & McLaren Thumb Region

Robert David
President and Chief Executive Officer
McLaren Central Michigan

Jeannie Sage MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
McLaren Central Michigan

Chris Candela
President & CEO
McLaren Flint

Kirk Ray
President & CEO
McLaren Greater Lansing

Philip Incarnati
President and Chief Executive Officer
McLaren Health Care

Tim Vargas
President & CEO
McLaren Lapeer Region

Thomas Brisse
President & CEO
McLaren Macomb

Chad Grant
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
McLaren Northern Michigan

Tracey Franovich RN
President & CEO
McLaren Oakland

Eric Cecava
President & CEO
McLaren Port Huron

Brian Long
President and CEO
Memorial Healthcare

Marilyn Beverly
President, Board of Trustees
Munising Memorial Hospital

Jim Parker
Chief Executive Officer
Munising Memorial Hospital

Edwin Ness
MHC President & CEO
Munson Healthcare

Peter Marinoff
Cadillac Community President, South Region President
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital

Joanne Schroeder
President
Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital

Kirsten Korth-White
President and CEO, Grayling Hospital & East Region President
Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital

Kelly Tomaszewski MSN, RN
President
Munson Healthcare Manistee and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital

Christopher Squire
Community Hospital President
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital

Kathy Laraia
Interim President
Munson Medical Center

Lydia Watson MD
President and Chief Executive Officer
MyMichigan Health

Marita Hattem-Schiffman
Central Region President
MyMichigan Medical Center Alma, Clare and Mt. Pleasant

Michael Erickson
President Northern Region
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena

Ray Stover
Eastern Region President
MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin and West Branch

Chuck Sherwin
President
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland

Kevin Kalchik
President
MyMichigan Medical Center Sault

Gregg Beeg
President & CEO
Oaklawn Hospital

Kelly Jefferson MSN, RN
President
OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group

Mark Eastburg
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Julie Yaroch DO
President
ProMedica Charles & Virginia Hickman Hospital

Darrin Arquette
President
ProMedica Monroe and Coldwater Regional Hospitals

Ross Ramsey MD
President and CEO
Scheurer Health

Andy Bertapelle MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Lili Petricevic BSN
Chief Executive Officer
Sheridan Community Hospital

Mark Brisboe
President
Sparrow Carson and Clinton Hospital

Linda Reetz BSN, RN
President
Sparrow Eaton and Ionia Hospitals

Denny Martin DO
President, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing
Sparrow Hospital

Bradley Bescoe
President and CEO
Straith Hospital for Special Surgery

Bobby Morin
Chief Operating Officer and CFO
Sturgis Hospital

Rob Casalou
President & CEO
Trinity Health Michigan, Florida and Georgia Regions

Shannon Striebich
President & CEO
Trinity Health Michigan

Katy Hoffman MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston

David Vandenberg MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston

Alonzo Lewis
President
Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital

Shelleye Yaklin
President
Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital

Michelle Pena MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Grand Rapids

Matthew Biersack MD
President
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital

Cindy Elliot MD
President
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

Mohammad Salameh MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

John O’Malley
President
Trinity Health Livingston Hospital

Nick Nickolopoulos BSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Livonia

Lisa Kinsey Callaway MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Medical Group – West Michigan

Douglas Dascenzo DNP, RN
Regional Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Michigan

Rosalie Tocco-Bradley MD
Chief Clinical Officer
Trinity Health Michigan

Linda Dunmore RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Muskegon

Gary Allore
President
Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital

Fabian Fregoli MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Oakland

Marschall Runge MD
Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Medicine

Margaret Dimond
Regional System President
University of Michigan Health

Ronald Grifka MD
President & CMO
University of Michigan Health – West

David Miller MD
President
University of Michigan Health

Mitch Leckelt
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Bell

Gar Atchison
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Marquette

Tonya Darner
Interim CEO
UP Health System – Marquette

Ryan Heinonen MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Portage

Michigan Hospitals Express Unified Opposition to Legislation Threatening Access to Care

Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases
Brian Peters testifying in the House Health Policy committee.

The MHA published a letter today on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan. MHA CEO Brian Peters announced the letter during his testimony in the House Health Policy Committee, which contains the names of leaders from all Michigan hospitals and health systems.

“Our hospitals are prepared to serve you and your loved ones on your worst day with high-quality, safe care,” said Peters. “We can’t risk losing experienced clinical judgment and local access to care. It is for these reasons that our membership is publishing a letter today signed by every hospital leader indicating our complete unified opposition to these bills.”

The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which do not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. California has a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses, despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions despite a national staffing shortage. Data from the Michigan Public Health Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 85% of all licensed Michigan registered nurses currently living in the state below the age of 65 continue to work as nurses from a pool of 119,714 RNs.

Peters was joined for testimony by Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan; and Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, RN, VP & chief nursing officer ambulatory services, Munson Healthcare.

A representative from American Nurses Association – Michigan also testified in opposition. The committee hearing included approximately 60 hospital representatives in attendance.

The testimony opposition follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.

To learn more about the impact of the proposed legislation on care in Michigan, visit www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/key-issues/nurse-staffing-ratios.

Michigan Voters, Healthcare and Business Leaders Agree: One-Size-Fits-All Ratios Will Harm Patients

Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases
Michigan coalition opposing mandated nurse staffing ratios.

A diverse coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations published a letter to members of the Michigan Legislature today opposing the proposed House Bills 4550-4552 and Senate Bills 334-336, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan.

“These partners from a broad collection of industries all agree imposing a one-size-fits-all legislative mandate to hospital nurse staffing will harm patients and severely restrict access to care in Michigan communities,” said Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. “Our nurses, patients and communities deserve more than political posturing that puts healthcare access at risk.”

The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which would not solve existing staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. In California, which has had legislatively mandated staffing ratios for over two decades, the state still faces a shortage of 40,000 RNs. Additionally, Michigan outperforms California in hospital quality, as Michigan has both a higher percentage of 4- and 5-star hospitals than California (49% to 35.3%) and a lower percentage of 1- and 2-star hospitals (18.4% to 38.7%), according to CMS Care Compare Hospital Overall Star Ratings.

The United States is facing a national nurse shortage issue, exacerbated by the aging nursing workforce, as many experienced nurses approach retirement. Currently, 32.3% of licensed RNs in Michigan are 55 years of age or older and nearly 8,500 open nursing positions exist statewide. A survey of 109 Michigan hospitals conducted in July 2023 shows Michigan is at risk of losing up to 5,100 hospital beds across the state if this legislation is implemented. This total represents 23% of Michigan’s overall statewide hospital bed capacity and is equivalent to closing all hospitals north of Grand Rapids and Flint.

The coalition emphasizes that mandatory nurse staffing ratios have a broader impact beyond hospitals alone, affecting all healthcare providers’ ability to hire nurses. With a finite pool of available RNs, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, physician practices and other healthcare settings will experience increased difficulty in recruiting and hiring nurses, especially as hospitals compete for the same talent pool.

“The entire healthcare sector is facing historic workforce shortages,” said Melissa Samuel, Health Care Association of Michigan President/CEO. “We all need more nurses. Unfortunately, these bills exacerbate the problem and fail to offer meaningful solutions.”

The potential impact to the business community is significant. Data collected from hospitals indicates the proposed ratios could increase healthcare costs by over $1 billion, impacting economic development and employers.

Recent EPIC-MRA polling of Michigan voters indicates that 82% do not believe the government should mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in every hospital, and if the bills were to become law, 83% of Michigan voters would be concerned about their ability to receive care, or the wait times, in a Michigan hospital emergency room.

The coalition supports the following alternative solutions to address the nurse staffing shortages:

  1. Join the Nurse Licensure Compact: Bring Michigan into the national Nurse Licensure Compact to reduce barriers for out-of-state nurses to practice in Michigan immediately, joining 41 other jurisdictions across the country.
  2. Expand Michigan Reconnect Eligibility: Lower the age requirement to 18 and older, encouraging more individuals to pursue nursing careers.
  3. Funding Innovative Approaches to Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare Settings: This complements the passage of House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers and would make the nursing profession more attractive by addressing safety concerns.

To date, Michigan hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers have focused on addressing staffing shortages by implementing various measures, including increased compensation, partnerships with post-secondary education institutions, emotional well-being support, modernizing scope of practice rules and recruitment awareness campaigns such as MI Hospital Careers.

The coalition includes the following organizations, and joins nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association – Michigan and Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership in opposing legislatively mandated nurse staffing ratios:

  • Business Leaders for Michigan
  • Community Mental Health Association of Michigan
  • Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Grand Rapids Chamber
  • Health Care Association of Michigan
  • Michigan Ambulatory Surgery Association
  • Michigan Association of Ambulance Services
  • Michigan Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • Michigan Association of Health Plans
  • Michigan Chamber of Commerce
  • Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
  • Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council
  • Michigan Health & Hospital Association
  • Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association
  • Michigan Manufacturers Association
  • Michigan Osteopathic Association
  • Small Business Association of Michigan
  • Traverse Connect

To learn more about the impact of the proposed legislation on care in Michigan, visit www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/key-issues/nurse-staffing-ratios.

Michigan Hospitals Invested $784 Million in Community and Voluntary-based Activities to Improve Health, Well-being of Residents

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases

New report outlines hospital community health efforts in FY 2021 

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) released today the Making a Difference in Our Communities report that highlights how hospitals invested more than $784 million in community and voluntary-based activities in fiscal year (FY) 2021, from education and prevention services to community outreach, research and workforce development.

Data in the report shows investments made throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that despite the workforce challenges and financial burdens Michigan hospitals and health systems face, they continue to offer a wide range of services and resources to their communities beyond the traditional healthcare setting that improve the overall health, wellness and quality of life of residents.

“This report uplifts the profound impact Michigan hospitals, health systems and healthcare teams have on their communities,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “In addition to outlining the latest community benefit data, it provides specific examples showing how these investments are improving health outcomes, building community and supporting efforts around workforce restoration.”

The report features examples and testimonials from patients who benefit from the programs implemented by hospitals throughout Michigan, as well as providers. Many of these programs expand access to care, address healthcare workforce needs and improve the health of vulnerable populations.

“Our care teams at Trinity Health are driven by a mission of service and improving access to resources that help individuals and communities thrive,” said Shannon Striebich, MHA Board Chair and President and CEO of the Trinity Health Michigan Market. “Investing in behavioral health programming is just one example of what we do; I’m proud to see the work of our Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition featured in the report among many other impactful community benefit stories.”

The full report and stories from hospitals across the state that exhibiting community benefit can be accessed online here.

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing & Auto No-fault

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 16 regarding auto no-fault legislation passed in the Michigan Senate and nurse staffing ratio legislation.

The coverage is based on interviews conducted with MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Monday, Oct. 16

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Media Recap: Rural Health & Nurse Staffing Ratios

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 9 on rural healthcare challenges and legislation proposing state mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.

Brian PetersThe Detroit Free Press published an article Oct. 12 on the closure of Kelsey Hospital. Included is a quote from MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA data regarding critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals. The story describes the close relationship and important impact hospitals have within their communities.

“We have to provide new options … new opportunities,” said Peters. “I think all of us — as residents of this state — want to have access to care, whether we’re in the big city or whether we’re on vacation in northern Michigan, or we’re commuting from point A to point B. You never know when you’re going to need health care and we need to have that infrastructure protected into the future.”

Two op-eds opposing one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios were also published. The first appeared in Bridge Michigan from MHA CEO Brian Peters, explaining the MHA’s opposition and the dramatic impact the legislation would have on a patient’s ability to access healthcare services.

Sen. Curt VanderWall speaks to the Legislative Policy Panel in 2019.
Then Sen. Curt VanderWall presents to the MHA Legislative Policy Panel in 2019.

Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) also published op-eds in the Ludington Daily News and Cleburne Times-Review explaining his opposition and the need for nurse staffing solutions that grow the talent pipeline while maintaining the ability to make staffing decisions at the local level.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.