Peters Discusses 340B Legislation on Michigan’s Big Show

MHA CEO Brian Peters

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 1179, which would have protected cost savings from manufacturer encroachment and preserved access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. The interview occurred days after the bill passed the Senate with broad bipartisan support following a 30-3 vote.

“The average cost of a prescription drug is now over $300,000 for a newly introduced prescription medication,” said Peters. “That is just remarkable and does affect all Michiganders in some way or form. We’re excited our state 340B legislation passed the state Senate on a very, very strong bipartisan vote.”

The bill did not see further action due to inactivity by the House during the week of Dec. 16.

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

MHA Monday Report Dec. 16, 2024

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 …


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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 …

Capitol News Outlets Cover 340B Legislation

MHA CEO Brian Peters

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 reported out of the Senate Oversight Committee Dec. 11 and passed the full Senate Dec. 13.

Lansing political outlets MIRS and Gongwer both published stories Dec. 11 that included portions of a media statement issued by the MHA after SB 1179 moved out of committee. Additional stories were published by MIRS Dec. 12, Gongwer Dec. 13 and 340B Report Dec. 13 following the passage of SB 1179 by the full Senate.

“Michigan’s senators stood up to the out-of-state pharmaceutical interest groups and we applaud them for their efforts,” said Peters. “We now call on the Michigan House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead and get this bill over the finish line. Michiganders can’t afford to continue to have their healthcare services attacked to pad PhRMA balance sheets.

Outside of this week’s activity on 340B, the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast published an episode Dec. 12 with Peters that was recorded at the Becker’s Healthcare 12th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable. Peters discusses the evolving challenges and opportunities in healthcare, including cybersecurity, the role of AI, workforce issues and the importance of community partnerships to address health equity.

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

Senate Protects Healthcare Services from PhRMA Attacks

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

MHA CEO Brian PetersWe are grateful for the broad bipartisan collection of senators who passed Senate Bill 1179 to protect community healthcare services from pharmaceutical manufacturers’ arbitrary attacks on the 340B drug pricing program.

Safety net providers, from Federally Qualified Health Centers to cancer and rural hospitals, and the services they offer to vulnerable patients are under threat from drug manufacturers prioritizing their own profits over healthcare access.

Michigan’s senators stood up to the out-of-state pharmaceutical interest groups and we applaud them for their efforts.
We now call on the Michigan House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead and get this bill over the finish line. Michiganders can’t afford to continue to have their healthcare services attacked to pad PhRMA balance sheets.

Senate Committee Puts Patients Over PhRMA Profits

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
MHA CEO Brian Peters

Members of the Senate Oversight Committee put patients over pharmaceutical profits by reporting out Senate Bill 1179 to the full Senate, which adds state-level protections to the 340B drug pricing program and the affordable, community-based care it supports.

The 340B program is an essential safety net program that supports vulnerable patients and the providers that care for them. It allows eligible Michigan hospitals to stretch incredibly scarce resources to provide care for more patients in their communities, increasing access to care.

These protections prevent manufacturers from arbitrarily restricting program participation that threatens access to care by cutting program savings. Such harmful actions by these companies risk the closure of birthing units, nursing homes and even critical access hospitals.

We look forward to the full Senate passing this bill and will continue to work with our partners in the House to make sure this important piece of legislation reaches Gov. Whitmer’s desk before the end of the year.

WJR’s Capital Report Focuses on 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.

What’s Ahead in Healthcare? Insights from the American Hospital Association

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast featuring Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA). Pollack joined MHA CEO Brian Peters to discuss a variety of topics tied to past, present and future healthcare trends.

As the nation’s largest hospital and healthcare system membership organization, the AHA is one of our country’s most respected and effective advocacy organizations. Beyond his strong advocacy leadership, Pollack has been instrumental in addressing historic workforce challenges, expanding healthcare access, improving healthcare quality and safety, eliminating disparities in care and much more.

MHA CEO Brian Peters and Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the AHA, during the recording of the MiCare Champion Cast episode.

After sharing more about his journey to the AHA, Pollack explored the fundamental shifts he has seen within the national healthcare environment and what issues will be at the forefront through 2025, regardless of the outcome of the general election.

“We always work to be a resource to candidates on both sides [of the aisle] and make sure they have the information they need in terms of data and what our positions are,” said Pollack. “Regardless of the election, there are certain issues that are not going to go away,” he added, noting affordability, drug pricing, value-based payment, and insurer accountability as examples of bipartisan issues.

Pollack later shared the important role grassroot efforts play when it comes to healthcare advocacy at the local level.

“People should not be intimidated in terms of engaging their legislators,” said Pollack. “They work for you, and you could be a resource to them. I always used to try to explain to my kids what a lobbyist does – and part of it is being an objective educator on issues where you are the expert and they will look to you for their guidance and counsel…and as a former congressional staffer, don’t forget the staff.”

Peters and Pollack also discussed cybercrime, challenges and opportunities for rural hospitals, the importance of the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program and much more. The episode is available to stream on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube.

Those interested in learning more about the MiCare Champion Cast can contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Aug. 12, 2024

MHA Shares State Impacts and Insights at Regional 340B Roundtable

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The Keckley Report

Big Sky is Cloudy for Hospitals

“As state hospital association leaders assemble in Big Sky, Montana this week, the environment for hospital-friendly legislation is threatening at best:

The public’s trust in hospitals has eroded. Hospital financial performance is a mixed bag: some are profitable and many aren’t. Congress thinks hospitals need more regulation to increase price transparency, require ownership disclosure, verify community benefits that justify tax exemptions and impose restrictions on hospital private equity investments. And programs through which state and federal health policies are authorized—HHS, CMS, FTC, FDA, CMMI et al—are in limbo as a result of the June 28, 2024 Chevron ruling by the Supreme Court. …

For hospitals, effective advocacy is imperative: the reservoir of good will enjoyed for decades is evaporating. Advertising “we’re there for you” is timely as rural providers need a lifeline, and public castigation of “corporate insurers and billionaire critics” necessary to rally supporters. But beyond these, two things are clear:

  • The marketplace for “hospitals” is fundamentally different than the past requiring a clearer value proposition and fresh messaging.
  • And in states, hospitals will encounter unique opportunities and challenges in plotting strategies for their future. No two are alike.

Big Sky is a symbolic locale for this week’s meeting of state health executives: the Big Sky over hospitals is cloudy.”

Paul Keckley, Aug. 5, 2024

MHA Shares State Impacts and Insights at Regional 340B Roundtable

four individuals pictured smiling at conference in Indiana.
Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government and political affairs, MHA; Rob Wood, senior director, partnerships, MHA; Kelsey Ostergren, director of health policy initiatives, MHA, and John Bretz, director of strategic relations, SunRx pictured during the Regional 340B Roundtable.

MHA staff attended the Regional 340B Roundtable Aug. 7 in Florence, IN to join colleagues from the Indiana Hospital Association, Ohio Hospital Association, Kentucky Hospital Association and endorsed business partner, SunRx, to share best practices for successful 340B administration and advocacy. Nearly 200 340B experts gathered from the four states to discuss the impact the program has on their communities, compliance best practices and opportunities to advocate for 340B at the state and federal levels.

Hospital 340B leaders were able to network, share challenges and discuss opportunities. Compliance experts from PYA and AuthorityRx as well as specialty pharmacy representatives from Optum and BioPlus offered technical advice and solutions in navigating complex 340B relationships.

Elizabeth Kutter, senior director of government and political affairs at the MHA joined Ted Slafsky, 340B Report and Lauren Brown, Indiana Hospital Association for a panel discussion on state 340B legislative and regulatory updates. “The MHA partners with Michigan Primary Care Association and other healthcare leaders to protect 340B to tell the story of how important 340B is to each community, especially our rural communities,” said Kutter. “Every person involved in 340B should tell their story about what 340B means in their community. It’s about local access. Individual patient access,” she added.

Protecting 340B remains a priority for the MHA and its covered entity members. MHA Board Chair, Julie Yaroch, DO, president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital joined MHA CEO Brian Peters on the July episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, where 340B is discussed as an association priority. “340B programs help hospitals get drugs that we need to treat patients to keep them healthy to have the best quality of life that they can. It also keeps programs viable inside our four walls and keeps services open, which allows us to support community-based care and community benefit programs,” said Yaroch.

Members with questions about 340B should reach out to Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA. Members interested in learning more about endorsed business partner, SunRx and its offerings, may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report June 24, 2024

Help Protect 340B in Michigan: MHA Action Alert Available

Hospitals throughout Michigan rely on savings from the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program every day to spread scarce resources and care for those with limited or no access to healthcare. As manufacturers and other players at …


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The Keckley Report

The Healthcare Economy: Three Key Takeaways that Frame Public and Private Sector Response

“The health economy is expanding above the overall rates of population growth, overall inflation and the U.S. economy’s GDP.  Its long-term sustainability is in question unless monetary policies enable other industries to grow proportionately and/or taxpayers agree to pay more for its services. These data confirm its unit costs and prices are problematic.

As Campaign 2024 heats up with the economy as its key issue, promises to contain health spending, impose price controls, limit consolidation and increase competition will be prominent. Public sector actions will likely feature state initiatives to lower cost and spend taxpayer money more effectively. Private sector actions will center on employer and insurer initiatives to increase out of pocket payments for enrollees and reduce their choices of providers.

Thus, these reports paint a cautionary picture for the health economy going forward. Each sector will feel cost-containment pressure and each will claim it is responding appropriately. Some actually will. …”

Paul Keckley, June 17, 2024


News to Know

  • The MHA is hosting office hours virtually from 2 to 3 p.m. every Thursday through June 27 to assist hospitals in completing an application for The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care Verification. Members with questions about office hours should contact Ewa Panetta.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth will host a free webinar for members on June 26.