Category: Monday Report

MHA Monday Report Feb. 17, 2025

Monday Report, Member News

Earned Sick Time Act & Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Advance in Senate

Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact advanced in the Michigan State during the week of Feb. 10. The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee narrowly voted Feb. 12 to move …

MDHHS SUD Mapping Tool Added to MI Bridges

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced a new substance use disorder (SUD) mapping tool in 2024. The tool is now featured on MI Bridges, a platform that allows Michigan residents to …

Registration Now Open for Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium

MHA Events

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. Keynote speaker, Gerald B. Hickson, MD, will explore building …

Accommodations Deadline Approaching for MHA Human Resources Conference

MHA Events

The Feb. 21 accommodations deadline is approaching for the highly anticipated 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing. After a day of networking and peer-to-peer collaboration, attendees will hear …

Healthcare Finance Trends for 2025

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CommerceHealthcare® recently released its 2025 Healthcare Trends Report, a comprehensive analysis of critical themes shaping the healthcare industry. This in-depth report was developed in collaboration with business line leaders, customers and …

Keckley Report

Healthcare is a Prime Target for DOGE: How to Prepare

“Last week, the reality of change in the U.S. political landscape became real, especially for the health industry. …

The Trump-Musk predisposition toward the U.S. health system is negative: it is viewed as wasteful, self-serving and ripe for Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts and disruption. It favors private solutions over public programs, and relishes favorable attention and punishing critics. And it shares its views of the health system with the majority of Americans:

Per Jarrard’s’ The State of Play: Healthcare in 2025 released last week, the public is not a fan of the system despite its penchant for calling itself “the world’s best.” In its survey of 1000 adults, 57% believe the system needs complete/significant re-design vs. 10% who think it’s OK as is and 34% who think minor improvements might be useful.

And per Gallup’s post-election poll in December, the public’s discontent is rooted in one issue: affordability. It’s a particularly thorny for hospitals, drug companies, insurers, physicians and other insiders who acknowledge the issue but rank it among others.

The impact of the Trump-Musk predisposition toward U.S. healthcare and its actions 20 days into its oversight is widespread uncertainty. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 10, 2025

News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth and the American Hospital Association will host the webinar Strategies to Strengthen Hospital Financial Health Amid Payer Pressures 2 p.m. ET Feb. 20 to share proven strategies and real world insights into combating payer denial tactics and how to protect hospitals.
  • In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.
  • MHA offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of President’s Day.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 10, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented

Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) moving through the Senate Health Policy Committee, a reintroduction of the Momnibus …

The Joint Commission President and CEO Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees welcomed The Joint Commission President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD to its Feb. 3 meeting. In his guest presentation, Dr. Perlin shared The Joint Commission’s mission to work …

Workforce Support and Growth Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 5 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support, protecting access, mental and behavioral health, creating healthy communities, strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy …

speak upCorewell Health Trenton Hospital Nurse Honored with Q4 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center celebrates Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for February. The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or …

MHA Keystone Center Launches Infection Control Quality Improvement Cohort

The MHA Keystone Center is launching an infection control quality improvement cohort, providing high-touch technical assistance to ten long-term care facilities. The Strengthening Long-term Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Address Emerging Pathogens …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — The Realities of the Earned Sick Time Act

Healthcare continues to be the leading private-sector employer in Michigan. Our latest Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report shows healthcare provided nearly 572,000 direct jobs in Michigan in 2022, with roughly 217,000 of those jobs in hospitals. …

Keckley Report

Is health insurance reform the key to affordability and lower costs?

“For most Americans, having health insurance is still considered a hedge against unexpected or otherwise unaffordable medical bills.

For most elected officials in Congress and state legislatures, Medicare and Medicaid are insurance programs that consume a large and growing piece of public funding, squeezing out other areas of need.

For virtually all hospitals, physicians, ancillary and long-term care providers, insurance is still the unwelcome front door through which all must go to get paid but their administrative hassles and low reimbursement rates are ruining the system for everyone.

And large majorities in each of these groups are unhappy with insurers for a myriad of reasons well-documented in trade publications and polling. …

The blame and shame game to which insiders in healthcare are addicted is a zero-sum game: blaming any single sector for the cumulative deficiencies in affordability and costs is misleading and does not serve the greater good.

Is health insurance reform the key to health system affordability and lower costs? It plays a role but not alone.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 3, 2025

News to Know

In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

A MHA media statement published Feb. 5 was included in stories by Michigan news outlets covering the fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation. The statement, attributed to MHA CEO Brian Peters, was mentioned by WLNS-TV …

MHA Monday Report Feb. 3, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Important Healthcare Workforce Bills Reintroduced & Committee Assignments Announced

Important healthcare workforce bills related to the interstate medical licensure compact prohibitions on non-compete agreements were reintroduced from the past legislative session by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Jan. 27. In addition, committee …

MHA Webinar to Review 2025 MI-AIM Eligibility Requirements

The MHA will host an informational webinar at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 to review 2025 eligibility requirements for hospital birthing units to receive maternal health quality payments through the Michigan Department of Health and …

BEAD Program Opens to Support Broadband Access in Michigan

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program recently opened its two-step application process through 4 p.m. April 9, 2025, with pre-applications required for submission by 4 p.m. March 10. The program is part of …

Speaking Health Care™ Guide Assists with Understanding Language

Orientating new trustees extends far beyond a single session. New members usually require months to get fully up-to-speed on strategic priorities and the basic expectations for trustees. A daunting challenge is interpreting language about operations, clinical care, …

Keckley Report

Bill Maher Rant is Shared by Most

“Last Friday (January 24), comedian Bill Maher offered a perspective on the murder of UnitedHealth Executive Brian Thompson on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. With characteristic profanity-laced sarcasm, he assailed insurers, hospitals, drug companies, doctors and enablers as complicit in BT’s death because “the system” has abandoned any semblance of concern about caring for people. …

Healthcare insiders now face an unwelcome reality: outsiders aren’t happy and they’re acting on their discontent. Outsiders–employers, consumers, community leaders, state and federal elected officials, news organizations and even volunteer members of non-profit healthcare organizations– believe systemic reform is needed. Recent polling by Hart and KFF indicate increased transparency about healthcare prices is their starting point: they’re worried about affordability but don’t think insiders care. …

Like Bill Maher and the majority of outsiders, they think the system stinks. Healthcare—every sector– needs to fresh start with outsiders. Transparency means more than posting charges, discounted prices, out-of-pocket estimates and premiums. It about underlying direct and indirect costs, margins, how leaders are compensated, how clinical processes and clinical decisions are made, how clinician performance is measured, how denials are adjudicated, how consumers are heard, how non-financial results matter to the organization and much more. That’s a start.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 27, 2025

News to Know

  • The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management is now accepting nominations for the Paul Venzke Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of Healthcare Risk Management.
  • The MHA is hosting a series of free webinars focused on healthcare workforce challenges, featuring insights from MHA Endorsed Business Partners.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted by media outlets the week of Jan. 27 discussing federal healthcare issues. Bridge published an article Jan. 27 about the temporary pause of external communications from federal health agencies. …

MHA Monday Report Jan. 27, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Legislation on Maternal Healthcare Access and Preserving Healthy Michigan Plan Coverage Becomes Law

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills Jan. 21 aimed at improving maternal healthcare access, equity and outcomes, as well as preserving eligibility for those under the Healthy Michigan Plan. The MHA worked extensively with bill sponsors …

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on AI & Credentialing Policy

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 22 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with Carlos Jackson from The Cornerstone Group, the MHA’s Washington DC-based government …

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The MHA is now accepting nominations for its 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. Michigan hospitals and health systems have a long-standing commitment to offering a wide range of services that enhance the health and …

Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Update

The MHA updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on December 2024 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …

Registration Open for 2025 Human Resources Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing. The event offers attendees an opportunity to expand their …

YesRx Hosts Cancer Medication Donation Drive

The MHA is committed to efforts that expand access to services and mitigate barriers to timely and effective treatments. YesRx is a statewide cancer drug repository program, accepting donations of unopened cancer medications through partnerships …

MHA Podcast Explores Strategies to Enhance Workplace Safety, Security

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the latest on healthcare workplace safety with Brian Uridge, MPA, CPP, CHPA, CTM, senior director at the University of Michigan Department of Public …

Keckley Report

Game On: Team Trump aims to Shake up Healthcare with Rules, Laws, Appointments and Swagger

“Hovering over Team Trump’s agenda is the reality that Americans think the country is heading in the wrong direction and trust in its institutions including the health system is at a historic low. Restoring confidence will be a gargantuan task.

Team Trump will use Executive Orders, personnel appointments, court challenges, and legislation to advance its healthcare agenda powered by its ‘take no prisoners’ operating mode whereby the ends are justified by means. Every sector in healthcare will be impacted, some more than others. … Reacting to changes in the current environment of U.S. healthcare resulting from Team Trump is necessary and time-consuming, but neglecting thoughtful consideration about the system’s long-term future and its role in “improving the state of the world” is fatalistic.  Both need attention.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 20, 2024

News to Know

The MHA will host the webinar How Federal Grant Funding Covers IT Department Costs Feb. 7 with Endorsed Business Partner Scaled Data Health to share how government funding, along with their innovative programs, can save hospitals significant dollars.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 20, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

House Committee Advances Earned Sick Time Act Changes

The House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses voted unanimously to report House Bill 4002 during the week of Jan.13. The bill, introduced by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), makes important clarifications …

2024 MHA Community Impact ReportReport: Michigan Hospital Programming, Investments Improve Health and Well-being of Residents

The MHA released the 2024 Community Impact Report Jan. 13 highlighting how Michigan hospitals are strengthening the healthcare workforce, enhancing access to care and building community health and wellness. This report …

Workforce Webinars Available for MHA Members

The MHA is pleased to announce a series of upcoming free webinars addressing healthcare workforce issues that leverage the expertise of MHA Endorsed Business Partners to provide guidance and thought leadership for members. Registration …

mha advancing safe care awardDeadline Approaching for Advancing Safe Care Award

The MHA is currently accepting nominations for its annual Advancing Safe Care Award, which recognizes hospitals that tackle issues daily to make care safer and more dependable. Eligible nominees include teams from hospitals across the …

Newly Expanded Mobile Crisis Services Grant Application Opens

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a new grant opportunity to expand mobile crisis intervention services across the state. The expansion of mobile crisis services aims to increase access to …

MHA Webinar Promoting Effective Peer Recovery Coaching Programs

The MHA will host a webinar Building Effective Peer Recovery Coaching Programs in Hospitals Feb. 12 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to help hospitals create hospital-based peer recovery coach programs, providing background information and …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Trends for Industry and Governance

The January edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), highlights the podcasts, videos, webinar and other resources available on today’s most pressing issues. The AHA released its 2025 Environmental …

Advancing Community Access to Health for All

Advancing community access to health for all Michiganders is a key focus of Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as Gov. Whitmer declared January Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Month. …

Keckley Report

Reality Check: Is Private Equity Ownership of Hospitals the Problem?

Last week, the Senate Budget Committee released a 171-page staff report about private equity (PE) ownership of hospitals—its second in two years. This report focused on Apollo Global Management’s ownership of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health, which runs the Ottumwa Regional Health Center in Iowa, and Leonard Green’s ownership of Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical, which has two Rhode Island hospitals in its portfolio. …

Attention to PE ownership of hospitals by the Senate Budget Committee is notable because it’s Bipartisan and part of a larger effort in Congress to rein in hospitals.  It’s understandable: hospitals account for 31% total healthcare spending—the biggest piece. Concern about healthcare affordability is increasing and trust in the U.S. system is sinking. Per Gallup, NORC, Pew and KFF polls, the majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the medical system and believe profit incentives are more important to insurers and hospitals than patient care. …

PE ownership is not the issue: how hospitals operate, how hospital services are designed and delivered to address clinical innovation and whole person care, and how they’re funded as many shift from traditional hospital to integrated systems of health. …

Paul Keckley, Jan. 13, 2025

News to Know

MHA offices will be closed, and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 20, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MHA Monday Report Jan.13, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

103rd Legislature Begins With Introduction of Earned Sick Time Bills

The Michigan Legislature officially commenced their 103rd session on Wednesday, Jan. 8, including the introduction of legislation to amend Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act . The session brings a new partisan divide with the Senate …

HHS Submits New HIPAA Security Proposed Rule

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently submitted a proposed rule to update the HIPAA Security Rule and enhance the protection of electronic protected health information. The changes aim to address the …

Healthcare Leadership Academy Enrollment Deadline Approaches

The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 3. The cohort meets Feb. 19 – 21 and April 10 and 11 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos. The Healthcare Leadership Academy, in partnership …

Applications Open for New Medicare Funded Rural Residency Slots

Qualifying rural hospitals may now apply for new residency positions created by Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and Section 4122 of the CAA of 2023, which allow hospitals to expand …

HRSA Announces Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced the establishment of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, which trains physicians to become addiction medicine specialists. The program aims to expand the number of fellows at …

Behavioral Health Internship Stipend Program Application Released

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering the Behavioral Health Internship Stipend Program, a key initiative aimed at increasing Michigan’s behavioral health workforce. Now in its second year, the program provides up …

Nominations Open for 2025 Hometown Health Hero Award

The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Hometown Health Hero Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that made a meaningful impact on improving the health of their community.

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Impacting Communities

As we turn the page on 2024 (and celebrate our success in preventing harmful government-mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, as well as harmful changes to our medical liability system, during the lame-duck session of the legislature), …

Keckley Report

The Two Events that Changed U.S. Healthcare for Everyone

In late 2025, two events reset the U.S. health system’s future at least through 2026 and possibly beyond…

Transforming the U.S. health system is a bodacious ambition for the incoming Trump team. Early wins will be key—like expanding price transparency in every healthcare sector, softening restrictions on private equity investments, targeted cuts in Medicaid and Medicare funding and annulment of the Inflation Reduction Act. In tandem, it has promised to cut Federal government spending by $2 trillion and lower prices on everything including housing and healthcare—the two spending categories of highest concern to the working class. Healthcare will figure prominently in Team Trump’s agenda for 2025 and posturing for its 2026 mid-term campaign. And equally important, healthcare costs also figure prominently in quarterly earnings reports for companies that provide employee health benefits forecast to be 8% higher this year following a 7% spike the year prior. Last year’s 23% S&P growth is not expected to repeat this year raising shareholder anxiety and the economy’s long-term resilience and the large roles housing and healthcare play in its performance.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 6, 2025Lauren LaPine

MHA in the News

Second Wave Michigan published a story Jan. 7 on how state officials, healthcare providers and community organizations are focusing on expanding the continuum of care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Lauren LaPine, senior …

 

MHA Monday Report Dec. 23, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

MHA Prevents Staffing Ratios and Medical Liability Changes

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 …

MHA Keystone Center Annual Report Features Hospital Quality and Safety Improvements

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 …

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

The 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! …

Obtaining Beyfortus Through the VFC Program

Through an ongoing partnership with the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, Michigan birthing hospitals are reminded to enroll as a Vaccine for Children (VFC) Specialty Provider in order to administer the respiratory …

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

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 …

MHA Offers Webinar on Creating Peer Recovery Coach Programs

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 programs, providing background information and …

Keckley Report

Health System Transformation: The Mandate is Clear but Insider Pushback is Strong

“The murder of UnitedHealth Group executive Brian Thompson (aka BT) December 4 and prosecution of his alleged killer Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania and New York will be in the media spotlight for months to come. The 26-year-old data scientist’ antipathy toward the health industry will be the sidebar in most coverage. …

Our system is fragmented by design, opaque by habit, resistant to change and considers criticism by outsiders unfair or ill-informed. Success and incentives in most healthcare organizations are based on short-term financial performance. Transparency is a threat and innovation is incremental. In the vast majority, Boards are rarely more than rubber stamps for management as long as “the numbers are hit.”

Tension between payers and providers, investor-owned and not-for-profit ownership and preventive health and specialty care has calcified and Executives are promoted as celebrities. In the process, the public’s attention is drawn to the industry where ministry and mission appear subordinate to corporatization and profit. …

That’s not the future. The public expects more and they’re tired of industry pushback and excuses.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 16, 2024

 

News 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.
  • 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.
  • 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

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters joined Michigan’s Big Show Dec. 16 to discuss the 340B drug pricing program and legislation that would have safeguarded the program. Peters joined guest host Mel Seifert and discussed Senate Bill …

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 …

MHA Monday Report Dec. 9, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

Medical Liability Highlights Healthcare Issues That Receive Legislative Attention

A large collection of healthcare bills, including one that seeks to change medical liability, received attention by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Dec. 2. The House Judiciary Committee reported out House Bill …

Senate Passes Momnibus Bill Package

The Michigan Senate passed the Momnibus, a group of bills designed to improve equity and accountability in prenatal and maternal healthcare during the week of Dec. 2. The legislation includes Senate Bills 818–823, 825 and …

Senate Passes Behavioral Health Bills

The Michigan Senate unanimously passed several MHA-supported bills aimed at improving mental health treatment for individuals involved in the criminal justice system during the week of Dec. 2. Senate Bills (SB) 915 (Hertel-D), 916 (Santana-D), …

FORHP Updates Definition of Rural Area

The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) recently announced updates to its definition of “rural area” to improve healthcare resource allocations in rural areas. A key addition is the use of the Rural Ruggedness …

CMS Releases Medicare 2025 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service outpatient prospective payment system effective Jan. 1,  2025. The final rule: Provides a net 2% increase …

MHA Continues to Offer Workplace Safety Posters

The MHA continues to offer workplace safety posters to MHA members at no cost to help hospitals comply with the requirement from Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023 that hospitals display signage informing individuals they …

MDHHS Introduces SUD Program Enhancements and New Mapping Tool

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently developed improvements to current substance use disorder (SUD) programs and a new SUD mapping tool to identify SUD treatment service locations throughout the state, with …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Lame Duck is Here

The balance of power at both the state and federal levels will change in 2025. Yet lawmakers still have several weeks remaining, a period we refer to as lame duck where a number of elected officials …

Keckley Report

Trump Healthcare 2.0: The Laundry List of Disruption Targets

“The incoming Trump administration is committed to cutting government waste and reducing regulation. That pledge puts the U.S. healthcare industry in the crosshairs for budget cuts and heightened attention. It’s also a high-profile industry that’s ripe for disruption.

Healthcare is the economy’s biggest private-sector employer (18.3 million) and accounts for 17.3% of the GDP and 28% of total federal spending. Since 2008, annual increases for prescription drugs, hospitals and physician services have increased faster than the “All Items” index widening every year. From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate was 4.2% for physician services, 4.4% for hospital care, 4.7% for prescription drugs and 5.0% for insurers who experienced the highest volatility of the four. …

The laundry list for Trump Healthcare 2.0 disruption is long. The public expects changes. Responding in business-as-usual fashion—especially thru well-worn trade association advocacy pronouncements– is short-sighted. It’s time to take a fresh look starting with a mirror.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 2, 2024

News to Know

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the 2025 application period for the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP).

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

MHA executives appeared on WJR 760 AM during the weeks of Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 to discuss the association’s opposition to government mandated nurse staffing ratios. MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Focus with …

MHA Monday Report Nov. 25, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

DEA Extends Telemedicine Rule for Controlled Substances Through 2025

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a rule extending telemedicine prescribing flexibilities for controlled substances through Dec. 31, 2025. This extension continues pandemic-era provisions, allowing …

MHA and Partners Host Cybersecurity Tabletop for UP Healthcare Leaders

The MHA hosted the Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop Oct. 14 in Escanaba, MI with MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q and the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition as part of the ongoing …

MHA Webinar to Review Upcoming Earned Sick Time Act

The MHA will host the webinar Earned Sick Time Act – What to Know and How to Prepare from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 to provide an overview of the upcoming Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) effective Feb. 21, 2025, and to help employers prepare for compliance. …

MHA Podcast Explores Resources for Family Caregivers

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast for National Caregiver Month featuring Diane Mariani, LCSW, CADC, program manager for the department of social work and community health program at RUSH University …

Keckley Report

The Profession of Medicine: Key Takeaways from the AMA Interim House of Delegates Meeting

“Last week, the American Medical Association (AMA) held its 2024 Interim House of Delegates (HOD) meeting in Lake Beuna Vista, Florida. The Bi-Annual confab drew 700 delegates representing 200 medical societies and physician professional organizations who considered 712 resolutions in the four-day agenda. …

Against this backdrop, there is consensus in the health system and Congress that the physician workforce is unhealthy and recognition of shortages in rural areas and certain specialties.  There’s consensus among consumers (patients) that physicians are trusted and well-paid but their accessibility increasingly limited. And there’s consensus among physicians that the profession is in crisis-mode. …

Physicians will always play a prominent role in U.S. healthcare. The profession’s preparedness to lead its inevitable transformation is the big unknown. And its attractiveness to future generations of physicians the big risk if not addressed.”

Paul Keckley, Nov. 18, 2024

News to Know

  • The MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Nov. 28 and 29 in honor of Thanksgiving.
  • Due to the holiday, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 2 and will resume its normal schedule Dec. 9.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Language Services will host the webinar Section 1557 Readiness Workshop – Guidance and Resources for the 2024 Deadlines Dec. 10 from noon – 1 p.m. ET.
  • The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program Feb. 19 – 21 and April 10 – 11, 2025.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Nov. 21 on healthcare workplace violence research and the relationship between hospitals and community mental health organizations. The Oakland Press published a story Nov. 18 on the …