The MHA published a letter today on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan. MHA CEO Brian Peters announced the letter during his testimony in the House Health Policy Committee, which contains the names of leaders from all Michigan hospitals and health systems.
“Our hospitals are prepared to serve you and your loved ones on your worst day with high-quality, safe care,” said Peters. “We can’t risk losing experienced clinical judgment and local access to care. It is for these reasons that our membership is publishing a letter today signed by every hospital leader indicating our complete unified opposition to these bills.”
The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which do not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. California has a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses, despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions despite a national staffing shortage. Data from the Michigan Public Health Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 85% of all licensed Michigan registered nurses currently living in the state below the age of 65 continue to work as nurses from a pool of 119,714 RNs.
Peters was joined for testimony by Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan; and Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, RN, VP & chief nursing officer ambulatory services, Munson Healthcare.
A representative from American Nurses Association – Michigan also testified in opposition. The committee hearing included approximately 60 hospital representatives in attendance.
The testimony opposition follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.
A diverse coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations published a letter to members of the Michigan Legislature today opposing the proposed House Bills 4550-4552 and Senate Bills 334-336, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan.
“These partners from a broad collection of industries all agree imposing a one-size-fits-all legislative mandate to hospital nurse staffing will harm patients and severely restrict access to care in Michigan communities,” said Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. “Our nurses, patients and communities deserve more than political posturing that puts healthcare access at risk.”
The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which would not solve existing staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. In California, which has had legislatively mandated staffing ratios for over two decades, the state still faces a shortage of 40,000 RNs. Additionally, Michigan outperforms California in hospital quality, as Michigan has both a higher percentage of 4- and 5-star hospitals than California (49% to 35.3%) and a lower percentage of 1- and 2-star hospitals (18.4% to 38.7%), according to CMS Care Compare Hospital Overall Star Ratings.
The United States is facing a national nurse shortage issue, exacerbated by the aging nursing workforce, as many experienced nurses approach retirement. Currently, 32.3% of licensed RNs in Michigan are 55 years of age or older and nearly 8,500 open nursing positions exist statewide. A survey of 109 Michigan hospitals conducted in July 2023 shows Michigan is at risk of losing up to 5,100 hospital beds across the state if this legislation is implemented. This total represents 23% of Michigan’s overall statewide hospital bed capacity and is equivalent to closing all hospitals north of Grand Rapids and Flint.
The coalition emphasizes that mandatory nurse staffing ratios have a broader impact beyond hospitals alone, affecting all healthcare providers’ ability to hire nurses. With a finite pool of available RNs, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, physician practices and other healthcare settings will experience increased difficulty in recruiting and hiring nurses, especially as hospitals compete for the same talent pool.
“The entire healthcare sector is facing historic workforce shortages,” said Melissa Samuel, Health Care Association of Michigan President/CEO. “We all need more nurses. Unfortunately, these bills exacerbate the problem and fail to offer meaningful solutions.”
The potential impact to the business community is significant. Data collected from hospitals indicates the proposed ratios could increase healthcare costs by over $1 billion, impacting economic development and employers.
Recent EPIC-MRA polling of Michigan voters indicates that 82% do not believe the government should mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in every hospital, and if the bills were to become law, 83% of Michigan voters would be concerned about their ability to receive care, or the wait times, in a Michigan hospital emergency room.
The coalition supports the following alternative solutions to address the nurse staffing shortages:
Join the Nurse Licensure Compact: Bring Michigan into the national Nurse Licensure Compact to reduce barriers for out-of-state nurses to practice in Michigan immediately, joining 41 other jurisdictions across the country.
Expand Michigan Reconnect Eligibility: Lower the age requirement to 18 and older, encouraging more individuals to pursue nursing careers.
Funding Innovative Approaches to Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare Settings: This complements the passage of House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers and would make the nursing profession more attractive by addressing safety concerns.
To date, Michigan hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers have focused on addressing staffing shortages by implementing various measures, including increased compensation, partnerships with post-secondary education institutions, emotional well-being support, modernizing scope of practice rules and recruitment awareness campaigns such as MI Hospital Careers.
New report outlines hospital community health efforts in FY 2021
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) released today the Making a Difference in Our Communitiesreport that highlights how hospitals invested more than $784 million in community and voluntary-based activities in fiscal year (FY) 2021, from education and prevention services to community outreach, research and workforce development.
Data in the report shows investments made throughout the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that despite the workforce challenges and financial burdens Michigan hospitals and health systems face, they continue to offer a wide range of services and resources to their communities beyond the traditional healthcare setting that improve the overall health, wellness and quality of life of residents.
“This report uplifts the profound impact Michigan hospitals, health systems and healthcare teams have on their communities,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “In addition to outlining the latest community benefit data, it provides specific examples showing how these investments are improving health outcomes, building community and supporting efforts around workforce restoration.”
The report features examples and testimonials from patients who benefit from the programs implemented by hospitals throughout Michigan, as well as providers. Many of these programs expand access to care, address healthcare workforce needs and improve the health of vulnerable populations.
“Our care teams at Trinity Health are driven by a mission of service and improving access to resources that help individuals and communities thrive,” said Shannon Striebich, MHA Board Chair and President and CEO of the Trinity Health Michigan Market. “Investing in behavioral health programming is just one example of what we do; I’m proud to see the work of our Western Wayne Suicide Prevention Coalition featured in the report among many other impactful community benefit stories.”
The full report and stories from hospitals across the state that exhibiting community benefit can be accessed online here.
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 16 regarding auto no-fault legislation passed in the Michigan Senate and nurse staffing ratio legislation.
The coverage is based on interviews conducted with MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.
Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 9 on rural healthcare challenges and legislation proposing state mandated nurse-to-patient staffing ratios.
The Detroit Free Press published an article Oct. 12 on the closure of Kelsey Hospital. Included is a quote from MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA data regarding critical access hospitals and rural emergency hospitals. The story describes the close relationship and important impact hospitals have within their communities.
“We have to provide new options … new opportunities,” said Peters. “I think all of us — as residents of this state — want to have access to care, whether we’re in the big city or whether we’re on vacation in northern Michigan, or we’re commuting from point A to point B. You never know when you’re going to need health care and we need to have that infrastructure protected into the future.”
Two op-eds opposing one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios were also published. The first appeared in Bridge Michigan from MHA CEO Brian Peters, explaining the MHA’s opposition and the dramatic impact the legislation would have on a patient’s ability to access healthcare services.
Then Sen. Curt VanderWall presents to the MHA Legislative Policy Panel in 2019.
Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) also published op-eds in the Ludington Daily News and Cleburne Times-Review explaining his opposition and the need for nurse staffing solutions that grow the talent pipeline while maintaining the ability to make staffing decisions at the local level.
Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.
Healthcare legislative activity in the Michigan Legislature included hearings on auto no-fault and several other bills during the week of Oct. 2. The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee held their first hearing on Senate Bills (SBs) 530 and 531. Introduced by Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), the legislation would adjust the hospital fee schedule, clarify the definition of Medicare and provide rate certainty for post-acute care providers. The MHA is supportive of this legislation and will be testifying in an upcoming committee hearing on the importance of hospital access for individuals involved in an auto accident.
The House Health Policy Committee voted out two MHA supported bills, House Bill (HB) 4101 and SB 384. Sponsored by Rep. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), HB 4101 would increase the time a speech language pathologist’s temporary license can be active while they complete required training. SB 384, sponsored by Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), would prohibit insurers from discriminating against living organ donors. Further, the committee took testimony on two separate packages of bills. HBs 4131, 4213, 4579 and 4580 would increase telehealth access while HBs 4504, 4505, 4169 and 4170 would add Michigan to the interstate physical therapy and occupational therapy licensure compacts. The MHA is supportive of both the increases to telehealth access and licensure compact legislation.
The Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee took up SB 410, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor), which would rescind prescription drug product immunity from liability, therefore allowing pharmaceutical drug product liability claims in the state. Current immunity has resulted in several complaints against manufacturers being dismissed. This legislation would allow complaints to move forward on their merits. The MHA is supportive of this legislation.
Lastly, the Senate Health Policy Committee took up SB 27, sponsored by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), which would ensure that behavioral health parity is meaningfully applied in Michigan. The MHA is supportive of this legislation as well as HB 4707, sponsored by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor). Both bills look to expand and protect access to behavioral health services through insurance coverage parity.
Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.
The temporary expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program to individuals between the ages of 21 and 24 occurred the week of Oct. 2. Funding passed in the fiscal year 2024 state budget allowed for the program to temporarily expand eligibility for up to 350,000 more people.
Michigan Reconnect was established in 2021 and allows for individuals who do not already have a degree or credential to access educational programs at no cost. High demand healthcare careers, both credentialed and two-year degree programs, are eligible for Michigan Reconnect. The MHA worked closely with lawmakers and stakeholders to ensure high demand healthcare careers are eligible.
Accessing the temporarily expanded eligibility can be done in a few ways.
Students not already enrolled must complete the following steps:
Apply for the Michigan Reconnect Scholarship by Nov. 15, 2024.
Enroll in a program of study and begin coursework no later than the fall 2024 semester.
Already enrolled students should contact their Financial Aid Office for additional information on applying the scholarship to their tuition bill and filing a FAFSA.
The MHA is supportive of Michigan Reconnect and members with questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 2 regarding auto no-fault legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature and nurse staffing ratio legislation.
The coverage is based on interviews conducted with MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.
Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.
The MHA received media coverage the week of Sept. 25 regarding new auto no-fault legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature and hospital staffing issues.
The MHA issued a media statement Sept. 26 from MHA CEO Brian Peters in support of Senate Bills 530 and 531, which would reform specific aspects of Michigan’s current auto no-fault insurance law.
Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.
The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
“The auto no-fault insurance bills introduced today will improve access to care for auto accident survivors and patients. The reforms implemented several years ago created an environment of extreme uncertainty. This bill package is an important step towards providing better access to services and reimbursement clarity, bringing Michigan healthcare provider reimbursement in line with national averages and ensuring they all have the resources needed to care for auto accident survivors throughout their recovery.
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association is proud to join the many stakeholders supporting Senate Bills 530 and 531.”
