Category: Member News

News to Know – Dec. 23, 2024

Member News
New to Know
  • The MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2025.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 30 and Jan. 6 and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 13. Member alerts and MHA newsroom articles will continue to be published during that time to provide relevant updates to the MHA membership, as necessary.
  • The December edition of Trustee Insights, the AHA’s monthly digital package, highlights resources on key topics such as quality and safety priorities, social determinants of health, board diversity, behavioral health integration and financial performance. The AHA also released the 2025 Environmental Scan, featuring data, trends and resources for board members to guide future planning and collaboration. For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.
  • In 2025, the MHA will host the second Human Resources Conference and welcome back the MHA Keystone Center’s Safety & Quality Symposium for the first time since 2019. Both events have been developed alongside MHA members to ensure relevant content and formats. Registration information will be available after the first of the year. Members with questions may contact the field engagementteam at the MHA.

MHA Keystone Center Annual Report Features Hospital Quality and Safety Improvements

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The MHA Keystone Center recently released its 2023-24 Annual Report, which demonstrates the organization’s commitment to advancing the safety and quality of care alongside Michigan hospitals. The report showcases MHA Keystone Center-led patient and workforce safety initiatives, including:

  • Resources created to support Michigan hospitals in their efforts to operationalize improved health outcomes for all.
  • Workforce safety offerings like active shooter trainings and physical security risk assessments provided via support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and MHA Endorsed Business Partner Tarian.
  • Maternal health outcome improvements made across the state in partnership with the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM).

Printed copies are available upon request.

Members with questions about the report should contact the MHA Keystone Center.

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Police Authority Officer Honored with Q3 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality
speak up
Q3 Speak-up! Award recipient Ronald Patterson, a police authority officer at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow pictured with Kira Carter-Robertson, chief operating officer at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing and MHA CEO Brian Peters.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center has recognized Ronald Patterson, a police authority officer at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for December.

The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to preventing harm to patients or staff. Patterson was honored for his proactive advocacy on behalf of a patient requiring additional care after being discharged from the emergency department.

While responding to a call to escort the patient out, Patterson quickly identified impairments that could compromise the patient’s safety. Recognizing the potential risk, he took immediate action, alerting the care team. As a result, the patient was readmitted and received the necessary care to ensure their safety.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for something that is truly a part of my daily commitment to ensuring patient safety,” said Patterson. “In this instance, I was simply doing what I believe anyone in my position would do—advocating for a patient who needed additional help to remain safe.”

“Ronald’s actions exemplify our mission to provide exceptional care and foster a culture of safety,” said Kira Carter-Robertson, chief operating officer at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing. “His quick thinking and compassion ensured that this patient received the care they needed. We are proud to have team members like Ronald, who go above and beyond to make a difference.”

Additional finalists for the third quarter of the 2024-25 program year included:

  • Spencer Smith, MyMichigan Medical Center Sault
  • Thomas Warner, McLaren Greater Lansing
  • Beronica Bahoura, Corewell Health Farmington Hills

“Ronald’s actions serve as a powerful reminder that all healthcare workers share a responsibility for the safety and well-being of patients,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are pleased to celebrate his commitment to fostering a safe environment and applaud University of Michigan Health-Sparrow’s dedication to cultivating a just culture.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

MHA Offers Webinar on Creating Peer Recovery Coach Programs

Member News

The MHA will host the webinar Building Effective Peer Recovery Coach Programs in Hospitals Feb. 12 from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. to help hospitals create hospital-based peer recovery coach (PRC) programs, providing background information and insights from hospitals currently doing the work.

Recognizing the growing need for substance use disorder (SUD) services and the invaluable role peer recovery coaches have in supporting patients through their recovery journey, the webinar aims to aid hospital leaders and clinical teams understand the role of PRCs as part of a comprehensive SUD care team.

The webinar will explore the critical role of PRCs in the hospital setting, focusing on how improving care for patients with SUDs. Hospital staff, administrators and healthcare leaders will learn about the value of integrating PRCs into their teams, how to start and scale a PRC program and funding mechanisms available to support this work.

Participants will hear from Henry Ford Health and Munson Healthcare about their programs, with the opportunity to ask questions about program design or implementation. This webinar will offer practical insights into overcoming challenges, building collaborative teams and creating effective PRC models in their own organizations.

Registration is free and open to MHA members. Members working closely with patients who have a SUD, manage emergency department operations or a clinical practice, or support patient’s needs at the time of discharge are encouraged to register.

Members with questions about the event should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

 

Superior Health Quality Alliance Report Highlights Improvements in Care for Medicare Beneficiaries

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality

The Superior Health Quality Alliance – a coalition of eight Midwest healthcare quality improvement organizations including the MHA Keystone Center – recently released a report detailing its work over the past five years as the Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) for Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The report showcases several quality improvement initiatives spanning topics like chronic disease management, infection prevention and control and medication safety. The report highlights the organization’s success in reducing all-cause harm in rural, critical access and acute care hospitals serving vulnerable populations by:

  • Lowering opioid adverse drug events (ADE) by 9%.
  • Reducing anticoagulant-related and hypoglycemia-related ADEs by 46%.
  • Improving community-based care transitions, resulting in a 3% reduction of readmissions.

The organization’s efforts across all improvement areas and settings of care resulted in:

  • 268,656 harms avoided.
  • A $1.02 billion return on investment.
  • More than a 20% relative improvement rate in hospital readmissions.

Members with questions about the report or the Superior Health Quality Alliance should contact the MHA Keystone Center.

Obtaining Beyfortus through the VFC Program

Member News

Through an ongoing partnership with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), Michigan birthing hospitals are reminded to enroll as a Vaccine for Children (VFC) Specialty Provider in order to administer the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) monoclonal antibody Beyfortus (nirsevimab) to VFC eligible patients.

Beyfortus is recommended for children ages 19 months and younger and ideally should be administered during the birth hospitalization. The CDC recommends that Beyfortus be administered prior to the start of the RSV season, but can be administered during the RSV season as well. One dose of Beyfortus is expected to last at least five months and can be co-administered with other immunizations, including the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.

The CDC strongly recommends that birthing hospitals who are currently enrolled in the VFC program as a universal Hepatitis B provider carry and administer nirsevimab throughout the 2024-2025 respiratory season. To do so, birthing hospitals should become a VFC specialty provider, which allow facilities to administer both the Hepatitis B vaccine and Beyfortus to VFC eligible patients.

MDHHS and local health departments have worked diligently to streamline VFC specialty provider enrollment and are encouraging sites to enroll. To begin the process, members are encouraged to complete the Beyfortus Eligibility Screening Plan and email it to the MDHHS Division of Immunizations.

More information about the distinction on VFC provider types can be found in the MHA newsroom.

Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Questions related to VFC program enrollment can be directed to the MDHHS Division of Immunizations.

MHA Prevents Staffing Ratios and Medical Liability Changes

Member News

The MHA defeated legislation that would have established government-mandated nurse staffing ratios and legislation that would have made detrimental revisions to Michigan’s strong medical liability laws during the week of Dec. 16. The MHA opposed these policies during the entire legislative session. The end of legislative business puts an end to all pending bills for this legislative session.

Late in the term, the House passed legislation restricting mandatory overtime policies for registered nurses. HB 5999 would have prohibited mandatory hospital overtime policies in certain circumstances. The Senate did not take any action on HB 5999 and the bill will expire with the end of legislative business.

This means none of the bills originally introduced in May 2023 that would have instituted government-mandated nurse staffing ratios and added additional requirements to hospitals are eligible to be signed into law.

In addition, neither chamber acted on bills designed to dramatically alter Michigan’s medical liability laws by significantly raising the caps on noneconomic damages, as well as reinstituting and expanding wage loss awards. These changes would undo tort reforms hospitals championed in the 1990s, leading to increased healthcare costs and hindered physician recruitment and retention in Michigan.

The lack of action on any of these bills is a testament to the advocacy work of the MHA and its membership.

Contention among lawmakers from both parties in the House reduced session attendance on multiple occasions over the last two weeks, resulting in both extreme chaos and little legislative work. The political infighting and inability to garner a quorum prevented any further movement on Senate Bill 1179, a bill to safeguard the 340B drug pricing program. SB 1179 would have protected cost savings from manufacturer encroachment and preserved access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. The MHA will pursue this legislation again in the new legislative session at the beginning of 2025, recognizing the strong bipartisan support it received in the Senate when it passed with a 30-3 vote.

Several other bills the MHA pursued this session will need reintroduction in the 2025-26 session:

  • HB 5964 – Continues the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which is scheduled for repeal in March 2025.
  • HB 5833 – Allows surrogate consent for medical decisions.
  • HB 4833 – Eliminating duplicate licensure requirements for hospitals.
  • SB 802 – Creates information sharing regarding outpatient behavioral health services.

The MHA opposed legislation that would allow local units of government to establish their own ordinances governing minimum wage, working hours and staffing ratios, and a bill to subject hospitals to the Michigan Consumer Protection Act. All this legislation expires with the expected ending of the 102nd Legislature.

Members with questions on legislative activity may contact Laura Appel at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Dec. 16, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

340B Hospital Protections Advance, Medical Liability Blocked During Busy Lame Duck

Various healthcare bills, including increased 340B protections for healthcare providers, received attention by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Dec. 9. Senate Bill 1179, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and which …

mha advancing safe care awardNominations Open for 2025 Advancing Safe Care Award

The MHA is accepting nominations for its annual Advancing Safe Care Award to recognize Michigan hospitals that are tackling issues daily to make care safer and more dependable. Eligible nominees include teams from hospitals across the state …

MHA Keystone Center PSO to Host Structured Communications Safe Table

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) is facilitating a virtual safe table from 9:30 to 11 a.m., Thursday, Jan. 23. The Structured Communication Safe Table will be led by I-PASS Patient Safety Institute. …

MHA and Partners Host Section 1557 Webinar Addressing Language Services

The MHA hosted the Section 1557 Readiness Workshop Dec. 10 with MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) AMN Language Services as part of the ongoing effort to advance the health of individuals and communities. This session …

Upcoming Opportunities to Learn, Network and Grow in 2025

In 2025, the MHA will host the second Human Resources Conference and welcome back the MHA Keystone Center’s Safety & Quality Symposium for the first time since 2019. Both events have been developed alongside MHA …

2025 MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy Approved for More Than 30 Credit Hours

The MHA is pleased to offer its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy in 2025. 32 credit hours are available for physicians, nurses and healthcare executives. In partnership with Executive Core and Grand Valley State University, two …

Keckley Report

In Healthcare, Most think We’re Shrewd and They’re Screwed

“The majority accept that operators in every sector of healthcare apply business practices intended to optimize their organization’s finances. Best practices for every insurer, hospital, drug/device manufacturer and medical practice include processes and procedures to maximize revenues, minimize costs and secure capital for growth/innovation. But in healthcare, the notion of profit remains problematic: how much is too much? and how an organization compensates its leaders for results beyond short-term revenue/margin improvement are questions of growing concern to a large and growing majority of consumers. …

The bottom line: the public is paying attention to business practices in healthcare. The death of Brian Thompson opened the floodgate for criticism of health insurers and the U.S. healthcare industry overall. It cannot be ignored. The public thinks industry folks are shrewd operators and they’re inclined to conclude they’re screwed as a result.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 9, 2024

 

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 9 on Senate Bill 1179, which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services through the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program. The bill was …

340B Hospital Protections Advance, Medical Liability Blocked During Busy Lame Duck

Member News

Various healthcare bills, including increased 340B protections for healthcare providers, received attention by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Dec. 9.

Senate Bill (SB) 1179, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and which protects the 340B program in Michigan, saw extensive action during the week. It began with two MHA members providing testimony to the Senate Oversight Committee in support: Ben Frederick, associate vice president of advocacy and government relations, Memorial Healthcare; and Deidra Wilson, senior vice president, government relations and public policy, McLaren Health Care. The bill is vital for hospitals that serve vulnerable populations, helping them stretch scarce resources to care for more patients. SB 1179 safeguards the program, ensuring cost savings and preserving access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. Further, this legislation adds first of its kind pharmaceutical manufacturer transparency requirements, making Michigan’s legislation the strongest in the nation.

During testimony, Frederick emphasized the impact the 340B program has in rural communities and shared a personal story of how 340B helped his father access palliative care following a terminal cancer diagnosis. Wilson highlighted how the 340B program supports cancer patients across the state by helping cover copays and providing access to essential transportation services. She also addressed how current restrictions hinder access to care for vulnerable populations, emphasizing that the program is centered on community, service and resource provision. She concluded her testimony by stating that the bill prioritizes the needs of Michigan patients and communities over the profits of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Following successful reporting from committee, the full Senate took action on SB 1179. The MHA-supported legislation passed the full Senate 30-3 with overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting the Senate’s commitment to protecting access to care and the 340B program.  The Senate opted to pair this legislation with SB 952, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), which requires hospital compliance with federal cost transparency laws

The bill now heads to the House of Representatives for approval before it can be sent to Gov. Whitmer’s desk. The MHA continues to advocate for the 340B program and support Michigan hospitals’ efforts to expand access to quality, community-based care. Members are encouraged to use the MHA 340B Action Alert to contact their lawmakers in support of the bill.

In other action this week, MHA-supported HB 5964, sponsored by Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), overwhelmingly passed the House. This bill ensures Michigan’s continued membership in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, supporting the recruitment and retention of physicians. This MHA supported bill now heads to the Senate for approval.

House Bills (HBs) 5371 and 5372, sponsored by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and Rep. Phil Green (R-Watertown Township), also passed the House and now head to the Senate for approval. HBs 5371 and 5372 add Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics to the Social Welfare Act, enhancing access to behavioral health services in Michigan and aligning provider funding with federal payment policies.

The House also passed HB 4833, sponsored by Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), which eliminates duplicative licensure requirements, reducing administrative burdens for hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, and licensed substance use disorder treatment providers. The MHA-supported bill now awaits action in the Senate.

HB 5833, sponsored by Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi), passed the House as well. This bill adds Michigan to the numerous other states that allow family members to step in and make medical decisions in alignment with a loved one’s wishes, if they are incapable. The MHA supports this bill, which will allow patients to receive timely care in the most appropriate setting.

The Michigan House, following an organized walkout by members of the Republican caucus, passed HB 5999, sponsored by Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit). The legislation broadly prohibits the use of mandatory overtime for registered nurses in Michigan, with certain exceptions related to declarations of emergency, mass casualty events and ongoing patient procedures. The MHA, facing significant political headwinds, was able to secure several meaningful amendments related to staffing during unexpected and unpredicted staff absences and public health emergencies, and will continue to work with the Senate to ensure protection of both hospital team members and the patients they serve.

Lastly, SB 1158 (S-1) and HB 6085, which would reform Michigan’s medical liability laws, did not see any action by the full House or Senate. These bills would increase healthcare costs and hinder physician recruitment and retention in Michigan, worsening the critical shortages in primary care, obstetrics and gynecology, and behavioral and mental health providers. Creating a less supportive environment for physicians could further compromise patient care and access to essential healthcare services. The MHA strongly opposes these bills.

Members with questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

2025 MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy Approved for More Than 30 Credit Hours

Member News

The MHA is pleased to offer its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy in 2025. 32 credit hours are available for physicians, nurses and healthcare executives.

In partnership with Executive Core and Grand Valley State University, two power-packed modules in February and April will feature leadership 360° feedback with personalized executive coaching, the development of advanced business acumen and the opportunity for intimate discussion with senior healthcare leaders.

With limited class size, sessions will be held Feb. 19 – 21 and April 10 and 11 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos. Recognize rising leaders and build a stronger, more resilient organization by registering them in the program today.

Members with questions or seeking more information may contact Jen Sokol at the MHA.