Category: MHA In The News

WJR’s Capital Report Focuses on Healthcare

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

MHA CEO Brian Peters

Detroit’s WJR 760 AM interviewed MHA CEO Brian Peters Sept. 22 for a segment on healthcare as part of “The Capital Report,” a new show focused on exploring issues happening within state politics and Michigan’s legislative landscape.

Peters spoke with host Guy Gordon on a variety of topics, including the 340B drug pricing program, proposed government mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation and maternal and infant health.

“We have always been supportive of public policy at both the state and federal level that limits the individual’s exposure to the high cost of healthcare,” said Peters. “If there are policies that can help ensure access to care, whether that be inpatient or outpatient hospital care, or access to prescription drugs, we support that.”

The 12-minute interview begins at the 10-minute mark of the show.

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

Media Recap: Michigan Healthcare Careers, Digital Health Trends

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

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage the week of Sept. 16 regarding Michigan healthcare careers and what’s next for digital health.

Second Wave Michigan published a story Sept. 17 on healthcare careers and the existing healthcare workforce shortage. The story includes quotes from Laura Appel, executive vice president and government relations and public policy, MHA, about how shortages impact hospitals, the impact of state funding and the results of the MHA’s annual hospital workforce survey.

“We’re bouncing back. We’re on the rebound for sure,” said Appel. “But it’s going to require a lot of work and staying on top of things. It’s not a one-and-done situation where you work at it for one year and then it will all be fixed. Workforce shortage is a long-term situation, and it’s going to require long-term commitment.”

The story is part of the Yours, Mine, and Ours — Public Health series from Second Wave Media that highlights how Michigan’s public health agencies keep individuals healthy, safe and informed about issues impacting physical and mental health in communities, homes, workplaces and schools.

Becker’s Hospital Review published a story Sept. 20 featuring insight from hospital and health system executives across the U.S. on the future of new technology in healthcare.

“Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) present many opportunities to improve the delivery of healthcare and reduce administrative burden,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “Our association created a member-wide task force to develop a framework for Michigan hospitals focused on the safe, ethical and equitable application of AI within healthcare. This framework includes clear guidance and model policies to help hospital policy makers manage the evolving impact of AI. While hospitals will vary in the implementation of AI and the resources they have available, this framework should help to ensure consistent application across the state so patients can continue to receive quality, accessible healthcare.”

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

Appel Discusses Radiology Workforce Shortage

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
Laura Appel

Laura AppelWWMT-TV Newschannel 3 aired a story Sept. 9 on the radiology workforce shortage in hospitals, including a shortage of radiologists and radiology technicians.

MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel was interviewed for the story, explaining how the shortage impacts hospital operations and what hospitals are doing to address workforce shortages.

“People that have a trauma, an emergency, an urgency, that is all going to be the first thing that hospitals are doing,” said Appel. “Finding someone to read those images and get those results.”

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

Peters Featured in Becker’s on Elevating Patient Care

MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian Peters

Becker’s Hospital Review published an article Sept. 3 that provides responses from 87 healthcare executives sharing their ideas on ways to boost the patient experience.

MHA CEO Brian Peters provided a response, mentioning the MHA Keystone Center’s work on Person- and Family-Centered Care.

“The MHA Keystone Center, our quality and safety improvement arm with a 20-year history, contributes to a better patient experience in all of our member hospitals through a number of initiatives,” said Peters. “In particular, we have led a very robust effort on Person- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC), focused on putting the patient and their caregiver at the center of all decision-making, planning and monitoring of care. We developed and promoted a Roadmap to Person and Family Engagement which provides standardized definitions, policies and practices designed to serve as a resource for healthcare staff and leaders looking to develop or improve PFCC across their organization.”

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

Congresswoman Slotkin Introduces American Made Pharmaceuticals Act

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

MHA CEO Brian Peters

U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) issued a press release Aug. 8 highlighting her introduction of the American Made Pharmaceuticals Acts that included a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters. The bipartisan bill, introduced with U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), would incentivize domestic production of critical medicines and help prevent drug shortages by securing the pharmaceutical supply chain. Its Senate companion is led by Sens. Tina Smith (D-MN) and Tom Cotton (R-AR).

“Drug shortages severely hamper a hospital’s ability to provide every patient with the best treatment,” said Peters. “We applaud Rep. Slotkin for leading on this important issue and introducing legislation that should increase domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen our pharmaceutical supply chain and prevent future drug shortages.”

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

Peters Featured in Becker’s Hospital Review

MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian Peters

Becker’s Hospital Review published an article July 23 that includes MHA CEO Brian Peters as one of 76 healthcare executives sharing their focus for the second half of 2024.

Peters covered the importance of the upcoming elections and the impact it will have on healthcare policy and access to care.

“As an advocacy organization, every two years we need to be highly focused on impending lame-duck sessions,” said Peters. “The outcome of the November election will go a long way toward determining the relative intensity of these lame-duck sessions, and which of our key issues will be ‘in play.’ We need to use the coming months to strategize appropriately, and be ready to block proposals that would threaten patient access, and also be ready to take advantage of new political dynamics that present a window of opportunity to move beneficial legislation that was previously stalled in the process.”

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

Media Recap: State of Healthcare, State Budget & Public Health Partnerships

Member News, MHA In The News
MHA CEO Brian Peters
MHA CEO Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of July 15 on healthcare priorities in Michigan, the state budget and the intersection between public health and healthcare.

Hillsdale Hospital published an episode of the Rural Health Rising podcast July 18 featuring an interview with MHA CEO Brian Peters discussing the state of healthcare in Michigan and efforts underway to support rural hospitals.

“We have to really focus on the right strategies – the right tactics – to make sure we can continue providing access to care for all rural Michiganders,” said Peters. “It’s really an honor to be a part of that journey.”

Laura Appel, Executive Vice President, Government Relations and Public Policy, MHA, was also featured as a guest on Hillsdale’s podcast July 11 discussing the fiscal year 2025 state budget.

“The passage [of the state budget] is a culmination of many months,” said Appel. “The big thing we got is direct funding for hospitals to have peer recovery coaches to help people who have substance use issues that come to the ED or into the hospital for any reason.”

Lauren LaPine, Senior Director, Legislative and Public Policy, MHA, was featured July 16 in a story from Model D and Flintside exploring how collaboration between hospitals and public health partners benefits Michigan communities.

“Public health and hospitals working in tandem really protects and promotes community health,” said LaPine. “Public health focuses on prevention while hospitals focus on health intervention.”

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

Headline Roundup: Cybersecurity, Market Consolidation and 340B

Member News, MHA In The News
MHA CEO Brian Peters
MHA CEO Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of June 24 that includes coverage on cybersecurity, market consolidation, 340B and the fiscal year 2025 state budget.

MLive published an article June 26 looking at the reason healthcare is the top target for cyberattacks. MHA CEO Brian Peters was interviewed for the story, speaking on the unique challenges hospitals face when they’re a victim of a cyberattack and the need to consider paying a ransom. He also spoke on the actions hospitals are doing to mitigate risk and to protect from future attacks

“I equate it to global terrorism,” said Peters. “It’s not kids in a basement; these are well-trained and well-financed actors.”

In addition, Peters also received coverage in Becker’s Hospital Review as one of 82 executives sharing their views on trends impacting healthcare. Peters focused on the trend of market consolidation.

“The bottom line is that there is likely to be even further integration and consolidation in the hospital field, and it has enormous implications for the future of healthcare delivery and financing.”

The MHA received mention in a press release from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Michigan) for introduced legislation that allows hospitals designated as a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) to remain eligible for the 340B drug discount program.

Lastly, Gongwer quoted a statement from Peters June 27 on the fiscal year 2025 state budget and fiscal year 2024 supplemental proposals.

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

340B and Mackinac Policy Conference Media Coverage

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

The MHA received media coverage the week of June 3 that includes coverage on the 340B drug pricing program and from the Mackinac Policy Conference on the healthcare workforce.

Michigan Advance published an article June 6 recapping the Michigan House Insurance and Financial Services Committee meeting June 5 on House Bill 5350, which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services through the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program. The article specifically references an infographic submitted to the committee by the MHA, which describes the value of the 340B program and how it supports vulnerable patients and the providers that care for them.

“[MHA] says the program allows hospitals flexibility to invest savings back into local healthcare needs through programs such as mobile health clinics, financial assistance programs for low-income patients, supporting high-cost lines of service needed within a community, or providing access to low-cost drugs.”

In addition, the article references the additional MHA-members who testified in support of the bill. MIRS and Gongwer also published stories on the testimony.

Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA.
Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA.

Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA, also appeared in two podcast episodes published the week of June 3 that were recorded at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference.

Sudderth joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s A Healthier Michigan podcast to speak about the long-standing partnership between BCBSM and the MHA on a variety of issues, including the history of the MHA Keystone Center and addressing healthcare workforce needs.

Sudderth appeared on The Michigan Opportunity as well, a podcast produced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the healthcare workforce. Also appearing in the episode is Gov. Whitmer.

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

New Hospital Workforce Data Receives Media Attention

Member News, MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian PetersThe MHA published a press release May 29 that shares new Michigan hospital workforce data, including information on the number of employees hired in 2023, the number of vacancies in 2024 and updated economic impact information. Crain’s Grand Rapids, Becker’s Hospital Review and Gongwer all published stories covering the data release.

MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in each story and conducted an interview with Crain’s.

“We have certainly closed the gap in a very significant way, but I’d be the first to tell you that more work needs to be done,” said Peters. “We still have a very significant number of vacancies that we know we need to fill if we’re going to be able to provide access to everyone in our communities. So, the work continues, but it’s encouraging to see what’s happened over the last 12 months.”

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