Category: MHA In The News

Media Recap: Hospital Viability & MSU Shooting Statement

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
T. Anthony Denton.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 13 regarding challenges impacting hospital viability in Michigan and on a statement released by MHA CEO Brian Peters following the shooting Feb. 13 on the campus of Michigan State University (MSU).

T. Anthony Denton.
MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton.

Bridge published an op-ed Feb. 13 from MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton, J.D., MHSA, expressing the need to consider short- and long-term policy solutions to the problems facing healthcare in Michigan. Denton is also senior vice-president and chief environmental, social and governance officer of University of Michigan Health-Michigan Medicine.

“I believe in the power of quality healthcare — care that treats the whole person, with attention and dignity and is close to where people live,” said Denton. “We can only continue to provide that care with high levels of commitment to health with proper resources. Please join me in my call to our policy leaders: healthcare is a team sport, and we all have a vital role to fulfill, on behalf of patients, healthcare teams, families and communities.”

The MHA also released a statement from MHA CEO Brian Peters Feb. 14 expressing support to the victims of the MSU shooting. News outlets that published the statement include Becker’s Hospital Review, WILX News 10, Gongwer and the Michigan Business Network.

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

Headline Roundup: Executive Budget Recommendation & Hospital Priorities

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 6 regarding a variety of topics, including the fiscal year 2024 executive budget recommendation, the role food insecurity has as a social determinant of health, the new state House Behavioral Health subcommittee and the need for hospitals to make infrastructure updates.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that includes interviews or statements from MHA representatives. Included is coverage from a media statement from MHA CEO Brian Peters released a statement published in support of the executive budget recommendation, thanking Gov. Whitmer for her continued commitment to protecting hospitals and supporting healthcare workers.

Friday, February 10

Thursday, February 9

Wednesday, February 8

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

Media Recap: 340B & Child Psychiatry Access

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

Brian PetersThe MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 30 regarding the 340B drug pricing program and the lack of child psychiatrists in northern Michigan.

Crain’s Detroit Business published an op-ed Feb. 1 from MHA CEO Brian Peters on how the 340B drug pricing program benefits hospitals. The placement of the op-ed follows recent criticism of the program in the media on how the program generates savings for hospitals and health systems.

“Michigan has some of the best state-level 340B protections in our country that prioritize access to care for vulnerable patients,” said Peters. “The program is funded through drug company discounts and not taxpayer dollars. Reducing the availability of 340B simply means even higher profits for drug companies. As the Michigan Legislature begins a new session, it is important to remember that for three decades, the 340B drug pricing program has received bipartisan support and helped hospitals from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.”

In a separate story, Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, appeared in a story that looks at the shortage of child psychiatrists in rural and northern Michigan and the challenges it presents to children and families accessing care. The story originally written by Capital News Service was picked up by publications such as the Midland Daily News, Cadillac News, Ludington Daily News and City Pulse.

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

Media Recap: Food Insecurity & Rural Healthcare Solutions

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

Brian PetersThe MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 23 regarding the issue of food insecurity, rural healthcare solutions and hospital viability.

The MHA contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering during the campaign’s luncheon Jan. 25 to help address food insecurity in the state. The Michigan Business Network published the press release issued by the MHA while MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Food First, a weekly WJR radio show presented by the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Farm Bureau Insurance. Peters discussed the MHA’s title sponsorship of the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering with co-hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, as well as the role food insecurity plays as a social determinant of health.

Peters and several MHA members also appeared in a Becker’s Hospital Review story published Jan. 25 sharing ideas on how to save rural healthcare.

“I am a big believer in technology as a game-changer for the future of healthcare delivery,” said Peters. “In particular, it can serve as a force multiplier in the realm of healthcare staffing. When combined with the significant traction gained by telehealth since the start of the pandemic, this means that technology — if thoughtfully deployed — can help to stabilize the rural health infrastructure. One imperative: we need regulatory and reimbursement policies that incentivize and support this concept.

In addition, Peters joined the Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show Jan. 26 as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address.

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

Headline Roundup: Economic Health of Hospitals

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage during the weeks of Dec. 19, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 on financial and staffing challenges impacting hospitals as well as the impact of a tripledemic of respiratory illnesses this winter.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that includes interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Monday, Jan. 2

Tuesday, Dec. 27

Thursday, Dec. 22

Monday, Dec. 19

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

Appel Discusses REHs with WOOD TV8

MHA In The News
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.

WOOD TV8 published a story Dec. 12 on the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 183, which includes language allowing rural emergency hospital (REH) licensure in Michigan. The bill passed Dec. 6 with overwhelming support in both the State House and Senate following collaboration between the MHA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Whitmer administration on making the necessary changes in state statute to allow for the new federal designation.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, spoke with WOOD TV8 on the bill and the challenges rural hospitals face which led to the creation of the federal REH designation. Appel discussed the high fixed costs associated with maintaining inpatient services and the financial reimbursement benefits offered to REHs.

“If your population goes down, your fixed costs don’t go down, but Medicare is going to continue to help you with those,” said Appel. “Regardless of where you are, if you’re a hospital in financial stress or if you’re a hospital that doesn’t want to become financially stressed … you have all of those things working in your favor.”

The MHA also received mentions in stories published Dec. 15, including one from Michigan Radio on the surge of respiratory illnesses being treated by Michigan’s pediatric hospitals and from Bridge on the increase of flu-related hospitalizations in the state.

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

Headline Roundup: Hospital Viability

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 5 following a virtual press conference Dec. 6 on the financial and staffing challenges impacting hospital viability, as well as topics including hospital capital improvements, mergers and acquisitions and respiratory illness hospital admissions driven by RSV and COVID-19. Stories include comments from MHA CEO Brian Peters, MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel and MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that includes interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Friday, Dec. 9

Thursday, Dec. 8

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Monday, Dec. 5

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

 

Media Recap: Pediatric RSV Surge

Top Issues - Healthcare, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage during the weeks of Nov. 21 and 28 on the capacity status of hospital pediatric units amid the surge of hospitalized pediatric patients with respiratory illnesses driven by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The Detroit Free Press published an article Nov. 23 on the status of hospitals throughout the state caring for a large number of children and requests made by hospitals to add additional licensed beds. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, is quoted in the story on how staffing challenges continue to hamper hospitals, even for those with declining pediatric patient census.

“It’s worth noting that even where hospitalizations have receded, many of our members continue to face severe space and staffing challenges,” said Appel

Additional stories were published by The Detroit News, The Center Square and Chief Healthcare Executive.

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

Media Recap: Hospital Financial Viability

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage during the week of Nov. 14 on financial and staffing challenges impacting hospitals in Michigan and the potential for further state funding support.

The Detroit Free Press published an article Nov. 14 that reviewed the factors influencing declining financial performance, including lower patient volume, increased supply costs, higher workforce expenses and stagnant reimbursement. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, is quoted throughout the story. Appel expressed appreciation for the one-time $225 million state grant for the recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers and discussed the increased rates for staffing agencies.

“We are immensely grateful for that,” said Appel. “But the $225 million (is) a one-time payment that really only offsets a small amount of what we’re paying in 2022 … and none of it is designed to help us in 2023.”

Additional stories were published by Crain’s Detroit Business and The Detroit News.

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

Headline Roundup: Pediatric Hospital Capacity & Medical Respite

MHA In The News
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage on the continued surge of RSV cases across Michigan’s pediatric hospitals that is stressing hospital capacity during the week of Nov. 6. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, also contributed to a story on the importance of medical respite with Michigan’s vulnerable population who need continued care after discharge from the hospital.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Friday, Nov. 11

Thursday, Nov. 10

Monday, Nov. 7

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