Michigan Senate Hears MHA Testimony on ED Boarding Challenges, MHA Opposes Introduced MCPA Bill

The MHA provided testimony May 7 to the Senate Health Policy Committee on certain challenges related to hospital emergency department boarding for behavioral health patients. The Senate Health Policy Committee heard about patients facing behavioral …

Protect MI Care Coalition Partners Share Majority of Michiganders Oppose Medicaid Cuts

The MHA joined other Protect MI Care Coalition partners in releasing public polling results that show 83% of Michiganders want to see Medicaid spending increased or kept the same as Congress considers cutting hundreds of …

Bronson Battle Creek Hospital Nurse Honored with Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center recognized Season Willi, RN at Bronson Battle Creek Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient May 8. The Speak-up! Award honors individuals or …

MDHHS Enacts Blood Lead Testing Mandate for Young Children

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently finalized administrative rules requiring blood lead testing for all children at 12 and 24 months of age, following legislation signed into law by Gov. Gretchen …

MHA Keystone Center PSO to Host Cybersecurity Safe Table

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q, will host a Safe Table event focused on adapting clinical risk management practices for cybersecurity. The session will be held from …

MDHHS Offers Loan Repayment to Expand Opioid Use Disorder Treatment

To help close critical gaps in opioid addiction treatment across Michigan, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering student loan repayment to eligible healthcare providers who begin or expand opioid use disorder …

MHA Keystone Center PSO Launches SAFER Webinar Series

The MHA Keystone Center PSO, in partnership with EisnerAmper, is launching a new webinar series focused on the 2025 Safety Assurance Factors for Electronic Health Record Resilience (SAFER) guidelines. The free series …

Applications for the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship Due in June

Applications will be accepted through June 27 for the 2025–2026 cohort of the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship. By participating, hospital board members will advance their skills and knowledge to elevate the organizations they serve. …

In the Middle of Nowhere and Everything: Why Our Community Hospital Matters

I live in a rural town—what I call the middle of nowhere, and everywhere. We’re miles from the nearest city, surrounded by open space instead of traffic. But out here, you learn to value what’s close. In the city, everything is nearby. …

Addressing Hurdles for Behavioral Health Patients Seeking Care in the ED

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the need to expand the pre-admission screening assessment for behavioral health providers. Lauren LaPine, senior director of legislative & public policy, MHA, joined …

MHA CEO Report — Highlighting Hospitals

This month’s CEO Report is being filed from Washington, DC, where I am honored to join my colleagues from throughout our state and nation at the American Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting. On the agenda are …

Keckley Report

The Next 100 Days: What Healthcare Should Expect

The Trump administration is moving into its second 100 days facing conditions more problematic than its first 100. For healthcare, this period will define the industry’s near-term future as changes in three domains unfold:

• The Economy: The economy is volatile and consumer confidence is waning. The impact of tariffs on U.S. prices remains an unknown and escalating tension between the Ukraine and Russia, Israel and Palestine, Pakistan and India are worrisome. Household debt is mounting as student loans, medical debt and housing costs imperil financial security for more than half of U.S. households. The 3 major stock indices remain in the red YTD, prospects for a recession are high and investors are increasingly cautious. Net impact on healthcare organizations and public programs: negative, especially those without strong balance sheets and access to affordable private capital.
• The Courts: Recent opinions by the Supreme Court and District Courts suggest a willingness to challenge the administration’s Executive Orders on immigrant deportation and due process, threats and funding cuts aimed at law firms and universities considered “woke” and layoffs initiated by DOGE and more. Court challenges will slow the administration’s agenda and create uncertainty in workplaces. Net impact: negative. Uncertainty paralyses planning and operations in every public and private healthcare organization.
• The Public Mood: The afterglow of the election has dissipated and the public’s mood has shifted from guarded optimism to anxiety and despair. The public’s uncertain about tariffs and worried about household expenses. Net impact: negative. Healthcare affordability and prices are major concerns to consumers: the majority (76%) think the system is more concerned about profitability than patient care (Jarrard).

The next 100 days will define the national agenda for the mid-term election in November 2026, reflect the solidarity of the MAGA movement and show the impact of tariffs on inflation, consumer prices and the public’s mood.

Healthcare leaders will be watching closely. All will be impacted.

Paul Keckley, May 5, 2025

News to Know

• MHA Endorsed Business Partner Vault Verify, is offering a free webinar People, Process and Protection: Rethinking HR Data Strategy hosted by the Massachusetts Hospital Association from 12 – 12:30 p.m. ET May 13.
• MHA Endorsed Business Partner Medical Solutions, will host the free webinar Workforce Wellness: Effective Approaches to Foster Well-being and Retention in Healthcare from 1 to 2 p.m. ET May 19.

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