Category: Member News

MHA Monday Report May 25, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

Business leaders attend a Hospitals & Affordability presentation hosted by the MHA and Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce.

Livonia-Westland Business Leaders Meet with MHA on Affordability

The MHA partnered with the Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce on May 14 to host an event at its Livonia offices to engage with business leaders about healthcare costs, listen to their needs and collaborate on …

Coverage is Care at Trinity Health Michigan

Significant changes to Medicaid are expected to take effect in 2027, bringing new requirements and processes that could increase the risk of coverage loss for eligible individuals if systems are not prepared. …

Hospitals Help: Pine Rest Launches First-of-its-Kind Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care

Hospitals are there in life’s most critical moments, supporting people at all walks of life and expanding access to care beyond the bedside. For children and families experiencing behavioral health crises, timely care can make …

The Keckley Report

Trump Administration Takes Aim at Healthcare: What MAGA Voters Believe

“These actions are consistent with the administration’s growing disdain for the healthcare industry as the mid-term election nears. Its gleeful rebuke of two-term Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy’s primary defeat Saturday a case in point: Cassidy chaired the Senate HELP committee and clashed with HHS Director RF Kennedy Jr. over MAHA initiatives like vaccine policies. A physician, he practiced gastroenterology with a specialty in hepatology (liver disease) before entering politics and was frequently differed with the administration’s health policies. …

The industry is on the defensive. Insurers, hospitals, home care and prescription drug sectors are considered complicit in the system’s failings.

The industry’s aware, but to date, its defense of the status quo has been ineffective. Its primary response has been a blame game against offending sectors, over-regulation and macro-economic pressures while buying time even as voter discontent grows.”

Paul Keckley, May 18, 2026

News to Know

MHA offices will be closed Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

 

Livonia-Westland Business Leaders Meet with MHA on Affordability

Member News
Business leaders attend a Hospitals & Affordability presentation hosted by the MHA and Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce.
Laura Appel and Shannon Striebich sit in front of a Hospitals & Affordability presentation slide.
Laura Appel, MHA; and Shannon Striebich, Trinity Health Michigan; discussed hospital affordability challenges with business leaders during a May 14 event hosted by the MHA and Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce.

The MHA partnered with the Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce on May 14 to host an event at its Livonia offices to engage with business leaders about healthcare costs, listen to their needs and collaborate on potential solutions.

Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA; and Shannon Striebich, president and CEO, Trinity Health Michigan, and current member of the MHA Board of Trustees; presented on the specific challenges facing hospitals, including rising prescription drug costs, stagnant reimbursement and hospitals’ role as large employers experiencing the same significant rise in insurance premiums as other businesses.

The event began with a welcome from Dan West, President/CEO, Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce, and the discussion was moderated by Chris Moyer, senior director of public affairs, Truscott Rossman.

The event is one of a series of formal events with business leaders that the MHA is hosting across the state to meet with the business community.

Members with questions about the event and future opportunities should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Hospitals Help: Pine Rest Launches First-of-its-Kind Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care

Member News, Hospitals Help
Pine Rest’s Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care is located in Grand Rapids, MI.

Hospitals are there in life’s most critical moments, supporting people at all walks of life and expanding access to care beyond the bedside. For children and families experiencing behavioral health crises, timely care can make a lifesaving difference.

To expand access to specialized mental health services for children and adolescents, the teams at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services recently opened a first-of-its-kind Pediatric Psychiatric Urgent Care Center.

The center, which is open Monday through Thursday from noon to 6 p.m., provides same-day assessments and short-term stabilization for children and teens ages 6-17 who are experiencing acute behavioral health crises. The Pine Rest team also connect families with the appropriate resources to avoid emergency room visits.

“Behavioral health challenges among children and teens have increased dramatically in recent years, and families across Michigan are struggling to find timely access to appropriate care,” said Mark Eastburg, PhD, president and CEO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. “The Pediatric Center of Behavioral Health represents a significant step forward in addressing that need. By bringing together inpatient care, urgent psychiatric services and specialized programming in one location, we are helping ensure that children and families can get the support they need when they need it most.”

Since opening in early 2026, the center has supported an average of 12 children and families each day, providing immediate access to care for those experiencing urgent behavioral health needs. It’s projected that approximately 5,000 kids will be treated per year.

The building was intentionally designed to meet the unique needs of children and adolescents, with specialized programming and spaces for young patients and their families. By bringing together urgent psychiatric services, inpatient care and outpatient support in one location, Pine Rest is helping families navigate behavioral health challenges with faster access to coordinated, age-appropriate care.

Pine Rest is also working to expand specialized care for children experiencing eating disorders, substance use disorder and neurodevelopmental conditions while enhancing access to telepsychiatry services for rural and underserved communities across Michigan.

Visit the Pine Rest website to learn more about how their teams are helping children and families across Michigan access timely, specialized behavioral healthcare services.

Those with questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Coverage is Care at Trinity Health Michigan

Member News, MHA Rounds

Chiquita Berg, MD, MBA, FACOG, vice president, Community Health & Well-Being, Trinity Health Michigan.

Significant changes to Medicaid are expected to take effect in 2027, bringing new requirements and processes that could increase the risk of coverage loss for eligible individuals if systems are not prepared. While many details are still emerging, one thing is already clear: 2026 will be a critical year for hospitals and health systems to prepare patients and their own organizations for what’s ahead.

Hospitals serve as trusted access points for care and information, especially for Medicaid populations. As changes approach, hospitals across the state are preparing to assist their patients and communities. Trinity Health Michigan is implementing the Coverage is Care approach, a patient-centered initiative designed to help people better understand upcoming Medicaid changes, connect to trusted information and resources, and stay connected to coverage and care.

To echo Shannon Striebich, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan, Coverage is Care reflects Trinity Health Michigan’s commitment to preparing early, acting thoughtfully and doing everything we can to help patients stay connected to coverage and care. As Medicaid changes approach, health systems have an important responsibility to reduce confusion, strengthen support and work alongside community partners to protect access for the people we serve.

The Medicaid changes anticipated for 2027 include more frequent eligibility checks, new administrative requirements and adjustments that could make it easier for coverage to lapse due to missed paperwork or misunderstandings – even among people who remain eligible.

The stakes are high. Coverage disruptions can lead to delayed care, worsening health conditions, increased uncompensated care, and greater strain on the healthcare ecosystem. Preparation in 2026 can help reduce reactive problem-solving in 2027.

Trinity Health Michigan’s Coverage is Care approach is designed to help eligible people stay covered and connected to care by making Medicaid changes easier to understand, reinforcing trusted information and helping people know where to turn for support before avoidable barriers lead to coverage loss. Working alongside community partners, the approach aims to reduce confusion and strengthen access to care as 2027 changes approach.

Core Elements of Trinity Health Michigan’s Coverage is Care Approach

Early Awareness

Coverage is Care was built on the idea that earlier awareness matters. Helping people understand that changes are coming — before paperwork is missed or coverage is interrupted — can reduce preventable disruption.

Clear Guidance

The approach emphasizes clear, trusted information, so patients and community members better understand what may be changing, why it matters and where to go for reliable next steps.

Support When Barriers Arise

Some individuals may need more than information alone. Coverage is Care is intended to help people connect to support when barriers such as confusion, literacy, language, technology access or life circumstances make the process harder to navigate.

Community Partnerships

Trinity Health Michigan is also working alongside community partners as trusted messengers to help broaden awareness, reinforce shared information and strengthen community access points for guidance and support.

Strong partnerships expand reach, particularly for patients who may not regularly engage with healthcare.

2026 can be structured as a year for hospitals and health systems to build internal systems and partnerships, pilot workflows and outreach strategies, refine approaches based on real-world experience and prepare for broader implementation ahead of 2027. This phased approach allows hospitals to adapt as additional state and federal guidance becomes available.

Even with all this preparation, many aspects of the Medicaid changes remain uncertain. Investing in strategies like Trinity Health Michigan’s Coverage is Care approach can help hospitals protect patients, preserve access to care and position their organizations for a smoother transition in 2027, no matter how the details evolve.

For more information about Coverage is Care, contact the Trinity Health team.

MHA members will continue to receive further updates from the association as information is released by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the federal government. The MHA is collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including member hospitals, MDHHS and Protect MI Care coalition members in efforts to deploy consistent messaging to patients across the state. Members with questions about pending Medicaid changes may contact the MHA Advocacy Team.

MHA Monday Report May 18, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

House Passes Multiple Healthcare Bills

The Michigan House passed legislation related to third-party litigation financing, Medicaid prescription requirements and surgical smoke plume evacuation during the week of May 11. Lawmakers also introduced legislation related to behavioral health transportation services and …

State House Minority Leader Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

State House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) addressed the MHA Legislative Policy Panel May 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center, providing the panel with a legislative and political update and sharing his commitment to …

2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy Cohort Completes Program

In partnership with Executive Core, the MHA recently celebrated the successful completion of the 2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy, which supports the development of emerging healthcare leaders across Michigan. Through two in-person modules, participants developed skills …

Keystone Quality and Safety Work Highlighted at MICAH QN Meeting

Kristy Shafer, senior manager, MHA Keystone Center, and senior lead quality improvement advisor for Superior Health, presented the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services quality improvement program at the Michigan Critical Access Hospital Quality …

MHA Keystone Center to Present During National Caregiver Webinar

The National Alliance for Caregiving will host the webinar “Practical Methods for Integrating Caregivers into Care Delivery” from 1 to 2 p.m. ET May 27, highlighting how hospitals and health systems are embedding caregivers into care models …

Hospitals Help: Memorial Healthcare Prioritizes Infection Control for Long-Term Care Residents

Michigan hospitals have long prioritized infection control and prevention, investing in resources that strengthen safety and quality measures for their patients and staff. The MHA Keystone Center is committed to supporting these efforts. Healthcare teams …

News to Know

  • The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council met May 14 to examine patient journey mapping, a method used to document and visualize the patient experience across healthcare touchpoints, from recognizing a health need through treatment and ongoing care.
  • Hospitals paid under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system must submit a calendar year 2025 occupational mix survey to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30.
  • Applicable laboratories, including hospital outreach laboratories, must report private payer data under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2025, during the reporting window open through July 31, 2026.

MHA in the News

The MHA received coverage in a May 12 Crain’s Detroit Business story examining insurance contract negotiations with hospitals. In the article, MHA CEO Brian Peters emphasized that reimbursement contracts between hospitals and insurance companies often …

House Passes Multiple Healthcare Bills

Member News

The Michigan House passed legislation related to third-party litigation financing, Medicaid prescription requirements and surgical smoke plume evacuation during the week of May 11. Lawmakers also introduced legislation related to behavioral health transportation services and prescription drug price transparency.

The House passed House Bill (HB) 5281, sponsored by Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford), which would establish new transparency requirements for third-party litigation financing. Currently, private equity and other investors may fund litigation against hospitals and other entities without disclosure requirements. The legislation would place limitations on those investments and increase transparency in the process. The MHA supports the legislation as it moves to the Senate for consideration.

The House also passed HB 4839, sponsored by Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport). The bill would require Michigan’s Medicaid program to prioritize generic and biosimilar drugs over brand-name medications when medically appropriate. HB 4779 also passed the House with immediate effect. The bill would require hospitals and health facilities that provide surgical services to install surgical smoke plume evacuation systems. Sponsored by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet), the legislation now heads to the Senate for consideration.

Lastly, HBs 5943–5944 were introduced by Reps. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek) and Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw). The bills would establish a licensure structure for behavioral health transportation services in Michigan and require Medicaid coverage for those services. This legislation mirrors previously introduced Senate Bills 927–928. The MHA supports the legislation as it moves through the legislative process. HB 5941, sponsored by Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Deerton), was also introduced. The bill would require pharmaceutical companies to report prescription drug costs to the state and disclose pricing data to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services before implementing significant price increases.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

News to Know – May 18, 2026

Member News
  • New to KnowThe MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council (PFEAC) met May 14 to examine patient journey mapping, a method used to document and visualize the patient experience across healthcare touchpoints, from recognizing a health need through treatment and ongoing care. PFEAC members and the MHA Health Access & Community Impact Council are collaborating to identify where patients may feel disconnected during the care process and explore opportunities to strengthen connections with healthcare providers and community partners to improve patient and family wellbeing. Questions about the council can be directed to Erin Steward.
  • Hospitals paid under the Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System must submit a calendar year 2025 occupational mix survey to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30. Survey results will be used to adjust the Medicare wage index for fiscal years 2028, 2029 and 2030. Members may contact the MHA health finance team for educational resources.
  • Applicable laboratories, including hospital outreach laboratories, must report private payer data under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act from Jan. 1 through June 30, 2025, during the reporting window open through July 31, 2026. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requires submission through its Enterprise Portal. Reported data will be used to develop 2027 Medicare Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule rates, with possible payment reductions of up to 15% for certain tests. Additional CMS reporting resources are available online. Members with questions may contact the MHA health finance team.

Peters Provides Context to Insurer-Hospital Contract Negotiations

Top Issues - Healthcare, Member News, MHA In The News

The MHA received coverage in a May 12 Crain’s Detroit Business story examining insurance contract negotiations with hospitals.

In the article, MHA CEO Brian Peters emphasized that reimbursement contracts between hospitals and insurance companies often span multiple years, which can create a challenging environment for hospitals as cost pressures change.

“Negotiations are necessary to address gaps between current market costs and reimbursement rates. While hospitals make every effort to avoid disputes, negotiations are part of the process of maintaining fair, sustainable agreements that ensure hospitals can continue providing access to healthcare services in their communities.”

Members with questions regarding media requests should contact Elise Gonzales at the MHA.

2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy Cohort Completes Program

Member News
2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy graduates.

In partnership with Executive Core, the MHA recently celebrated the successful completion of the 2026 Healthcare Leadership Academy, which supports the development of emerging healthcare leaders across Michigan.

Through two in-person modules, participants developed skills in healthcare finance, safety and quality, communication and team leadership. The program combined instruction with hands-on learning, including case projects and real-world applications.

Each participant received executive coaching and 360-degree feedback designed to strengthen leadership effectiveness.

The Healthcare Leadership Academy also fostered strong peer connections, creating a network of leaders committed to advancing care and improving outcomes. The MHA congratulates the 2026 cohort on completing the program.

Members with questions about the Healthcare Leadership Academy may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.