Tag: access to care

MHA Monday Report Oct. 2, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingAuto No-Fault Legislation Highlights Healthcare Activity in Michigan Legislature

Senate Bills 530 and 531 were introduced Sept. 26 by Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) and Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) that would adjust the hospital fee schedule, clarify the definition of Medicare and provide …

Talking Health Event Brings Together Public Health & Hospital Leaders

The MHA hosted more than 60 public health and hospital leaders from across the Michigan Sept. 27 in East Lansing for the Talking Health: Research-Based Communication Strategies for Public Health & Healthcare event. Organized by …

Comments Due Nov. 6 on LTC Nurse Staffing Standards Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued a proposed rule Sept. 1 which would establish comprehensive, minimum nurse staffing standards for long-term care (LTC) facilities. There are three core components to this rule: …

MHA Strategic Action Plan to be Reviewed Nov. 9

In the new program year, the MHA continues to prioritize several critical issues, like financial viability, workforce, resilience and wellbeing, behavioral health and health equity. The MHA will host a virtual membership meeting from …

MDHHS Notifies Home Help Agency Providers in Recent Proposed Policy

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed policy notifying Home Help Agency providers that the National Provider Identifier field in the Community Health Automated Medicaid Processing System…

MHA Webinars Focus on Conflict Resolution and Changing Employee Values

The MHA and the Huron Consulting Group are hosting two webinars focused on helping hospitals attract, retain and promote high-performing talent. The How to Have Tough Conversations in Healthcare webinar will provide practical strategies to …

MDHHS Releases FY 2024 Medicaid Program Rate Updates

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released concurrent proposed and final policies to implement Medicaid rate increases included in the fiscal year (FY) 2024 budget. These increases, contingent upon approval by …

MAC Releases Resources Through the Michigan Opioid Settlement Fund

The Michigan Association of Counties (MAC) has recently unveiled a range of valuable resources made available through the Michigan Opioid Settlement Fund. These resources encompass information about the agencies responsible for managing the settlement, as …

MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Leading with Safety & Quality

Last month’s CEO Report focused on our grave concerns with legislative proposals to mandate nurse staffing ratios, and the negative impact they would have on patient access to care. And we spent the entire month of September laser-focused on telling our story to …

News to Know

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will implement a wage increase beginning Oct. 1 for direct care workers in MI Choice Waiver, MI Health Link and Behavioral Health programs.

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

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 …

MHA Monday Report Sept. 25, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingActive Fall Committee Work Continues in Legislature

Several MHA-tracked bills received testimony and votes the week of Sept. 18 as the state legislature continues its fall calendar. The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony and voted on the Reproductive Health Act bills. …

Gov. Whitmer Announces Grant Recipients for Enhanced Mental Health Support

As part of Gov. Whitmer’s commitment to ensuring access to behavioral health services, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently awarded more than $900,000 to five Community Mental Health Service Programs. The …

MDHHS Launches Maternal Mortality Surveillance Program

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched their Maternal Mortality Surveillance program, which is dedicated to preventing pregnancy-related deaths. The Hear Her Michigan Campaign focuses on empowering women and their support …

Transferring Telephone Prior Authorizations

Effective Oct. 1, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will transition the telephone prior authorization process from Admissions and Certification Review to the MDHHS Program Review Division. This applies for the …

Webinar: Learn How to Utilize Physician Talent on Governing Boards

As healthcare leaders cope with turbulent times, it’s essential to have physician board members assist with decision-making on things like action prioritization, merger and acquisition activity and social determinants of health. The webinar Maximizing Contributions …

MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council Work Continues

Approximately 25 hospital and health system members convened for the first MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council meeting of the 2023-2024 MHA program year. Members discussed action items and goals, including advancing the …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Financial Growth

The September edition of Trustee Insights, a monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes a study of financial well-being and the need to shift from a transaction-first mindset to a human-centric mindset focused on …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe UAW Strike: What Healthcare Provider Organizations Should Watch

“Politicians, economists, auto industry analysts and main street business owners are closely watching the UAW strike that began at midnight last Thursday. Healthcare should also pay attention, especially hospitals. medical groups and facility operators where workforce issues are mounting. …

Nonetheless, the parallels between the current state of worker sentiment in the U.S. auto manufacturing and healthcare services sectors are instructive. Auto and healthcare workers want job security and higher pay, believing their company executives and boards but corporate profit above their interests and all else. And polls suggest the public’s increasingly sympathetic to worker issues and strikes like the UAW more frequent. …”

Paul Keckley, Sept. 18, 2023

News to Know

MHA Monday Report Sept. 18, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Hosts Successful Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day

The MHA hosted a successful Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Sept. 13, with more than 130 hospital and nursing leaders participating. Attendees completed 118 meetings with lawmakers, covering 80% of the Michigan Legislature. …

Proposed Hospital Nurse Staffing Bills Harm Public’s Access to Healthcare

The MHA released data today illustrating strong public opposition to legislation proposing one-size-fits-all state mandated hospital nurse-to-patient staffing ratios and hospital survey data on the severe impact of the legislation on access to care for Michiganders. …

capitol buildingLegislature Introduces Bills on Hospital Waste and Drug Costs

Legislation was introduced in the state Senate Sept. 12 that would help hospitals reduce unnecessary waste and would attempt to control the rising price of certain drugs. Senate Bill 482 was introduced by Sen. …

Updated mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Targeted for Recent Subvariants

The Food and Drug Administration approved the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Sept. 11. These updated vaccines currently target circulating subvariants including XBB.1.5, EG.5 and FL.1.5.1, as well as BA.2.86, and provide …

DIFS Bulletin Clarifies Auto No-Fault Provisions

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) recently issued a bulletin clarifying that provisions of the auto no-fault law signed in May 2019 do not apply for services provided to individuals injured in …

MHA Podcast Highlights National Recovery Month, Resources in Hospital Emergency Departments

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities. The September episode centers around …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyIs Affordability taken Seriously in US Healthcare?

“Studies show healthcare affordability is an issue to voters as medical debt soars (KFF) and public disaffection for the “medical system” (per Gallup, Pew) plummets. But does it really matter to the hospitals, insurers, physicians, drug and device manufacturers and army of advisors and trade groups that control the health system? …

Affordability to consumers is the most formidable challenge facing the US healthcare industry–more than burnout, operating margins, reimbursement or alternative payment models. Today, it is not taken seriously by insiders. If it was, evidence would be readily available and compelling. But it’s not.“

Paul Keckley, Sept. 11, 2023

News to Know

The American Hospital Association is accepting applications for the AHA’s Dick Davidson NOVA Award.

MHA Hosts Successful Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day

Member News, MHA In The News
Hospital and nurse leaders from across the state of Michigan during the Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day.

The MHA hosted a successful Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Sept. 13, with more than 130 hospital and nursing leaders participating. Attendees completed 118 meetings with lawmakers, covering 80% of the Michigan Legislature. The relationships and conversations will prove extremely helpful in opposing legislation that would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for all hospitals in the state.

The MHA also hosted press conference and published a press release in conjunction with the advocacy day, releasing new data that illustrates strong public opposition to legislation proposing such a legislative mandate and hospital survey data on the severe impact of the legislation on access to care for Michiganders. The press event resulted in a number of news stories being published throughout the state from outlets including Becker’s Hospital Review, Detroit Free Press, Gongwer, MIRS, Michigan’s Big Show, WILX, WWMT, WJR 760 and WILS 1320.

An infographic that shares the new data and contextualizes the impact to healthcare access for Michiganders was also shared with lawmakers and media. Additional member communications tools are available upon request. Photos from the event can be found on the MHA Facebook page.

The MHA will continue to push back on this one-size-fits-all mandate and educate lawmakers on the harmful impact it could have on patient access to healthcare.

Members with any questions related to the legislation and advocacy efforts may contact Adam Carlson or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA. Members with questions regarding media or requesting additional communications tools should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Sept. 11, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingInterstate Nurse Licensure Compact Introduced in State House

Michigan House Bill 4935, also known as the Michigan Nurse Licensure Compact, was introduced in the state House on Aug. 24. Sponsored by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) and supported by the MHA, the …

capitol buildingReproductive Health Act Introduced in State Legislature

A package of 21 bills, referred to as the “Reproductive Health Act”, were introduced in the state House and Senate Sept. 7.  The legislation introduces a variety of changes to Michigan’s laws on abortion. The changes …

MHA Awards Behavioral Health Grants

The MHA issued a request for proposals earlier this year for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by …

Webinar Teaches Ways to Amplify Contributions of Physician Board Members

The webinar Maximizing Contributions of Physician Board Members from noon to 1 p.m. EST Oct. 17 will guide attendees to utilize physician expertise related to advising on patient care decisions, the ethical considerations around biomedical, …

Critical Access Hospital Infection Control Opportunity

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and its subsidiary organizations, APIC Consulting Services and the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, have joined together to launch the APIC Health Equity …

Three Upcoming MHA Workforce Webinars Provide Continuing Education

The MHA and other state hospital associations are hosting three workforce webinars in partnership with the Huron Consulting Group, a firm helping organizations develop future-ready leaders that can drive meaningful cultural and organizational change. Continuing …

MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Preserving Patient Access to Care

Nurses are the heart and soul of our healthcare ecosystem. They were heroes long before the COVID-19 pandemic, they stepped up in extraordinary ways during the darkest days of that chapter in our history and they remain heroes today. …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Medicare Drug Pricing Program Will Attract Uncomfortable Attention to the Rest of the Industry

“Last Tuesday, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the first 10 medicines that will be subject to price negotiations with Medicare starting in 2026 per authorization in the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). It’s a big deal but far from a done deal. …

There will be lessons learned as this Inflation Reduction Act program is enacted alongside others in the bill– insulin price caps at $35/month per covered prescription, access to adult vaccines without cost-sharing, a yearly cap ($2,000 in 2025) on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in Medicare and expansion of the low-income subsidy program under Medicare Part D to 150% of the federal poverty level starting in 2024. And since implementation of these price caps isn’t until 2026, plenty of time for all parties to negotiate, spin and adapt.

But the bigger impact of this program will be in other sectors where pricing is opaque, the public’s suspicious and valid and reliable data is readily available to challenge widely-accepted but flawed assertions about quality, value, access and outcomes. It’s highly likely hospitals will be next.“

Paul Keckley, Sept. 4, 2023

MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with WOOD TV.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of August 28 and Sept. 4 regarding prescription drug affordability, the healthcare workforce and COVID-19. MHA CEO Brian Peters spoke with a variety of news outlets regarding these …

MHA Podcast Explores Harmful Nurse Staffing Legislation

MiCare Champion Cast, Member News
MI care matters
Kim Meeker, RN, BSN, MBA, president of the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL).

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 31, MHA CEO Brian Peters and Kim Meeker, RN, BSN, MBA, president of the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL), discuss a recent package of bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature that could severely harm hospitals and access to patient care, if passed.

Senate Bills 334 – 336 and House Bills 4550 – 4552 propose a one-size-fits-all nurse ratio staffing mandate. In a recent joint statement, the MHA and MONL noted how this approach would limit the number of patients receiving hospital care at any one time and services hospitals can offer to their communities, prolong the time it takes for a patient to receive care and hinder many hospital’s ability to respond to a crisis in fear of violating Michigan law.

Throughout the episode, Peters and Meeker explain exactly what this could look like for Michigan nurses and patients while addressing false claims that the bills will help nursing shortages in Michigan – noting more effective solutions, including:

  • Michigan joining the national Nurse Licensure Compact to reduce barriers for out-of-state nurses to move to and practice in Michigan immediately.
  • Increasing eligibility for Michigan Reconnect by lowering the age requirement to 18 and older.
  • Expanding Michigan Reconnect availability to include 4-year institutions.
  • Increasing penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers.

The episode is available to steam on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Those interested in learning more or connecting with local lawmakers on this issue are encouraged to visit the MHA’s Legislative Action Center.

Note: Each interview in this episode was recorded prior to the passing of the legislative fiscal year 2024 state budget. To see MHA CEO Brian Peters statement on new healthcare funding, visit the MHA Newsroom. Additional resources mentioned include the MHA Keystone Center and Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality WellB program and the MI Hospital Careers webpage.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.