The Detroit News published an article April 15 on all Michigan projects that were earmarked in the final government spending bill for 2024, which included $756,000 for the MHA Keystone Center to support the development and deployment of evidence-based best practices and hands-on training to nursing home staff for the prevention of infections.
“The Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s Keystone Center got $756,000 to put toward staff training and technical assistance in nursing homes for infection prevention. MHA spokesman John Karasinski said the training will focus on emerging pathogens, particularly Candida auris, a yeast that’s often resistant to antifungal treatments and spreads easily in healthcare facilities.”
By implementing these best practices, hospitals and nursing homes can collectively improve patient outcomes by reducing infection risk and unnecessary hospitalizations, while improving post-acute care bed availability.
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
Michigan Advance “Micheconomy” columnist Rick Haglund published a column April 7 that focuses on the large role education and healthcare have in Michigan’s economy. It specifically references the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s annual Economic Impact of Healthcare Report, which is published in conjunction with the Michigan State Medical Society and Michigan Osteopathic Association.
“A study last year by the Michigan Health & Hospital Association claimed that nearly 20% of all payroll jobs in the state in 2021 were in health care and health care-related positions. Health care employers paid out $46 billion in wages and benefits to 567,957 workers in 2021, or an average $80,992 per employee, according to the study.”
The column also references multiple community investment projects being driven by hospitals and health systems throughout Michigan.
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
The MHA received media coverage since March 15 on efforts to reform the state’s auto no-fault insurance system as well as the future for healthcare teams.
The Detroit News published an article March 17 describing how auto no-fault insurance reforms have reduced access to care for auto accident survivors and impacted providers. Senate Bills 530 and 531 have passed the full Michigan Senate and would address reimbursement for providers, including simplifying and increasing Medicare hospital reimbursements, clarifying the definition of Medicare and creating a new post-acute care provider fee schedule. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel is quoted in the article expressing the importance of including hospitals in any reform efforts.
“Everything is not only more expensive but much more expensive,” said Appel.
Becker’s Hospital Review also published a story where they asked 35 C-suite healthcare executives across the U.S. to share areas of growth for the next few years. MHA CEO Brian Peters participated, sharing insights on technological innovation, advocacy engagement and health equity.
“First, we need to look at every emerging challenge through the lens of technological innovation; in other words, is there a better, more effective way to deal with an issue by deploying technology, which will become even more robust in the years ahead,” said Peters. “Second, because more and more of the people we serve will be covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and other governmental programs, everyone in healthcare needs to have a comfort level with the public policy and political arena — how the process works, and the elected officials who make the decisions in state capitols and in Washington, DC. Politics is not a spectator sport! And third, while we are clearly on the health equity journey, we need to continue to embed it firmly in our organization’s cultures.”
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
Chief Healthcare Executive published an article March 5 about the impact of the Change Healthcare cyberattack on hospitals and health systems across the country. The publication spoke with several state hospital associations representing Michigan, Florida, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Washington. MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the story discussing why healthcare is a frequent target of cybercrimes and what the effects of the attack have been in Michigan.
“We are aware the cybersecurity event has impacted healthcare services, including patients’ ability to receive prescriptions and hospital billing,” said Peters. “However, the impact varies by organization, depending on each hospital’s or health systems’ existing relationships with Change Healthcare.”
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 26 that includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters appearing in stories by CNN and Crain’s.
CNN published an article Feb. 26 on the Michigan economy and aging population. Included in the story is a section on healthcare emerging as the state’s largest private sector employer. The section highlights how the aging population is leading to an increased need for healthcare services and references the 27,000 job openings in Michigan hospitals.
“Those folks who are headed off to their retirement days, they are the ones who demand more health care services,” said Peters.
Crain’s Detroit Business reported on the Change Healthcare cyberattack in a story published Feb. 29. The story looks at how market consolidation and the growing need for data sharing has led to higher cybersecurity risks for healthcare organizations. Peters mentions how healthcare is the top target for cybercriminals and explains the challenges faced by hospitals.
“These continued cybersecurity challenges stem from the complex and interconnected nature of hospital information technology systems, which often require integration with external software and hardware to support clinical operations, patient care and administrative functions,” said Peters. “Furthermore, hospitals must navigate a regulatory landscape that demands compliance with health information sharing, privacy and security laws, making the management of third-party risks a critical, yet challenging, aspect of their cybersecurity strategy.”
Crain’s Grand Rapids also published an article Feb. 26 on new state laws that increase the penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers or volunteers. The story looks at the increased rates of violence committed against healthcare workers and the issues it creates for workplace safety, recruitment and retention.
“It is flat out inappropriate to physically attack a healthcare employee and there are going to be consequences if and when it happens,” said Peters. “It’s a signal that we’re not going to tolerate this anymore.”
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
Crain’s Grand Rapids published a story Feb. 22 about the decision by the Kalamazoo-based cooperative air ambulance program between Bronson Healthcare and Ascension Borgess Hospital to end flights later this year. MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the story, speaking to the general industry trend of hospitals and health systems reviewing infrastructure to evaluate what service lines can remain viable into the future.
“Globally speaking, this is really an extension of this broader issue of what is the appropriate infrastructure that we need to serve the public going forward,” said Peters.
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with LLoyd Jackson as part of the WJR Live in Lansing broadcast.
MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR 760 AM’s JR’ Morning with Guy Gordon, Jamie Edmonds, and Lloyd Jackson’s “Live from Lansing” broadcast Jan. 25 as part of the station’s annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. The MHA sponsored the program, with the broadcast hosted at the Courtyard by Marriott Lansing Downtown.
As part of the program lineup, Peters spoke with Gordon, Edmonds and Jackson about the state of hospitals and the many challenges they face, including the healthcare workforce, behavioral health and prescription drug affordability. Other notable interviewees during the event included Whitmer; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton), House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), Rep. Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth) and Sandy Baruah, president and CEO, Detroit Regional Chamber.
The State of the State address the previous evening primarily focused on 2023 policy achievements achieved by the first Democratic Legislature in 40 years and shared several policy proposals focused on lowering costs for Michiganders, improving education and strengthening economic development. One specific item mentioned by Whitmer relevant to hospitals is the intention to make the first two years of community college tuition-free for every high school graduate. Doing so would remove any financial barrier that may prevent students from pursuing healthcare degree, certificate and credentialing programs at community colleges. This policy item has been a solution offered by the MHA since last year to address nursing shortages.
As a sponsor of the event, the MHA developed a 60-second message for airing before and during the broadcast. Members with questions should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
The MHA received media coverage since Jan. 4 related to hospital cybersecurity, proposed legislation mandating hospital nurse staffing ratios and maternal health. Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include interviews with MHA CEO Brian Peters.
The MHA received media coverage over the holidays during the weeks of Dec. 18, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Topics covered include the healthcare workforce, the MHA Keystone Center, air ambulance services and a review of 2023.
MHA Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer Ruthanne Sudderth spoke with Crain’s Detroit Business about registered apprenticeship programs.
Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include interviews with MHA CEO Brian Peters; Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA; and Sarah Scranton, vice president, safety & quality and executive director, MHA Keystone Center.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 11 related to post-secondary nurse degree programs and telehealth. Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include an interview with MHA CEO Brian Peters.
