Tag: Adam Carlson

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

Active Fall Committee Work Continues in Legislature

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingSeveral 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. These bills were reported out of committee largely on party lines but with one member of the Democrat Caucus opposing the legislation. Representative Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) voted in opposition to the bills and voiced concern that the state should be focused on supporting senior citizens. The MHA continues to monitor this legislation and will share updates throughout the legislative process.

The Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee took testimony on Senate Bills 483, 484 and 485, introduced by Senators Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), and Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe). The bills, taken together, create the Prescription Drug Advisory Board (PDAB) and stakeholder council. The PDAB is charged with and intended to review drug costs, assess cost impacts on consumers, and ultimately create opportunities for reducing consumer expenditures on drugs through the creation of upper payment limits (UPLs).

If the PDAB were to institute a UPL on a drug based on a review of the drug’s increased cost and impact on consumer access, a purchaser or payer would be prohibited from purchasing, billing or reimbursing above the set UPL. The MHA is supportive of opportunities to reduce prescription drug prices for consumers, including hospital purchasers, and continues to work with the sponsors and leadership on these bills to ensure hospital purchasers are fully recognized and supported. The MHA has not taken a formal position on this package of bills.

The Senate Labor Committee voted out Senate Bill 171, sponsored by Senator Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo). The bill repeals the local government labor regulatory limitation act, which prohibits localities from regulating employment relationships. Specifically, repealing the legislation would allow for a local unit of government to institute things like a higher local minimum wage than the state, or potentially institute local staffing and scheduling regulations. The MHA, and a coalition of other business and employer groups, oppose this legislation.

Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

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.

Governor Signs New Budget Including Investments in Hospitals

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingGov. Whitmer signed the fiscal year 2024 state budget Aug. 1, which includes $92 million in new investments directly to hospitals. It specifically provides $59 million to support increased Medicaid reimbursement rates at Level I and II trauma centers and $33 million to support an increase in Medicaid inpatient psychiatric reimbursement rates. The signed budget will go into effect Oct. 1.

In addition to the ongoing and targeted new investments, the agreement provides necessary resources to assist hospitals and health systems in advancing the health of individuals and communities throughout Michigan. It maintains funding for the Healthy Michigan Plan, Medicaid, graduate medical education, disproportionate share hospitals and the rural access and obstetrical stabilization pools.

The MHA is also pleased with new investments in workforce by lowering the age for Michigan Reconnect from 25 years to 21 years of age and investing $2.5 million to support recruitment and retention programs for behavioral health professionals. The budget also increases ongoing funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides significantly reduced tuition for many students at public universities.

Consistent with the strategic action plan of the MHA, the budget places a new emphasis on health equity and reducing disparities for maternal health care with specific, targeted new investments. Funding is included for the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health and $49.5 million for community health programs, healthy community zones, IT improvements and mobile health units to address racial disparities in health. Additionally, the budget further expands the Medicaid program by eliminating the five-year waiting period for pregnant and new mothers who are legally residing in Michigan.

Members with questions on the state budget may contact Adam Carlson.

MHA Monday Report July 24, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingGovernor Signs MHA Supported Legislation and Announces Round of GoingPro Awards

Gov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of July 17 related to the Healthy Michigan Plan, organ donation and vaccine distribution. Those bills include: House Bills 4495–4496 (Public Acts  98-99 of …

CMS Releases Medicare FFS OPPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2024. The rule proposes to: Increase the outpatient conversion …

MHA Webinar Focuses on Crisis Events

Crisis events are unpredictable and often present unique challenges in healthcare. The MHA is convening healthcare and community leaders virtually from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Aug. 25 to exchange ideas and resources for crisis events …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Quality Oversight

The July edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), focuses on the board’s role in improving quality. Elizabeth Mort, MD, MPH, former senior vice president of quality and safety …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Health System needs a Heart Transplant

“It’s a time when workforce activism is peaking, and hourly workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in home care are targets of organizing efforts by unions. …

In an industry as big and prominent as healthcare, hourly workers including nurses, techs, business office and patient support services are vital to its performance. Those in skilled professions that require licenses are buffered by shortages: that’s the case with nurses, physical therapists and others. But not as much for non-skilled positions where cost-cutting has heightened labor-management tensions. And this comes as most hospitals have recovered to pre-pandemic financial health and CEO compensation in not-for-profit systems has become a lightening rod for industry critics like Arnold Ventures, West Health and Lown Institute among others. …

Hourly workers are the beating heart of the healthcare industry: they don’t have star power, they don’t have a voice, and they don’t feel they’re seen or heard. As the system transitions to AI-powered workforce solutions in bigger organizations, the heartbeat is irregular. It needs attention.”

Paul Keckley, July 17, 2023

MHA in the NewsBrian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of July 17 regarding the healthcare workforce, federal legislation to address drug shortages and bills signed by Gov. Whitmer eliminating burdensome provisions in the Healthy Michigan Plan and …

Governor Signs MHA Supported Legislation and Announces Round of GoingPro Awards

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingGov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of July 17 related to the Healthy Michigan Plan (HMP), organ donation and vaccine distribution. Those bills include:

  • House Bills 4495–4496 (Public Acts (PAs) 98-99 of 2023), sponsored by Reps. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and Graham Filler (R-DeWitt), make important updates to the HMP, Michigan’s expanded Medicaid. The program will no longer include cost sharing requirements that have proved to be exceedingly burdensome. Further, the statute no longer includes language allowing for the program to be summarily abandoned if state costs exceeded state savings. The HMP has allowed for increased access to healthcare throughout the state, providing coverage for over a million Michiganders.
  • House Bills 4362, 4363 and 4364 (PAs 100-102 of 2023), sponsored by Reps. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor), Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint) and Natalie Price (D-Berkley), include the option for individuals to denote their organ donor status when filing state income taxes. Over 103,000 individuals nationwide are waiting for organ donations, including approximately 2,300 Michiganders. These policies will increase opportunities for residents of the state to opt-in to organ donation. Increasing the number of people on the organ donation list benefits those in need while also supporting long term organ availability.
  • Senate Bill 219 (PA 97 of 2023), sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), allows pharmacists to order and administer qualifying vaccines and lab tests independently. Michigan continues to seek ways to increase vaccination rates. State solutions like SB 219 allow Michigan to support additional access points. The law allows a pharmacist to order and administer vaccines and lab tests in certain circumstances without the supervision of a physician, following completion of approved training.

In addition to signing important healthcare legislation, Gov. Whitmer announced $13.5 million in GoingPro awards, with several MHA members receiving funds to support upskilling and retooling team members. GoingPro launched in 2014 and allows employers to apply for grant funding to support their employees in earning industry-recognized credentials. Over 8,500 employees across the state have benefited from the program and this recent round of grant awards included nearly $750,000 for hospitals. The MHA continues to support Gov. Whitmer’s recognition of hospital workforce needs and her dedication to growing the state’s talent pipeline.

Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Governor Creates New Department to Support Workforce and Talent Development

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Michigan Legislature may be on summer recess but work in the state capitol continues. The governor made headlines the week of July 10 with the creation of a new state department, the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MiLEAP). MiLEAP brings together key partners in state government with the goal of supporting and growing the state’s knowledge economy.

MiLEAP contains three distinct entities: the Office of Early Childhood Education, the Office of Higher Education and the Office of Education Partnerships. All three offices will be under one single director who will officially join the governor’s cabinet. MiLEAP will be tasked with collaborating with the Michigan Department of Education and state Board of Education, among other stakeholders.

Michigan hospitals and health systems rely on the state’s knowledge economy and a focus on supporting talent development within the state recognizes the significant need for skilled individuals across multiple healthcare fields. Gov. Whitmer has emphasized her desire to see 60% of the state’s residents with a credential or degree by 2030 and MiLEAP is another tangible demonstration of her commitment to addressing the state’s talent needs. Building long term supports, including a dedicated member in her cabinet, and recognizing that building a pipeline of education opportunity supports the success of employers in the state is a great step towards tangible gains in the workforce crisis.

The MHA will continue to partner with the governor and her administration on workforce and talent development, with MiLEAP being a new strategic opportunity for cross collaboration in support of healthcare careers.

Gov. Whitmer also signed several important pieces of legislation, including the remaining sexual assault prevention bills. Senate Bills 69 through 72, requiring medical record retention and an additional adult presence for certain medical exams, were officially signed into law. These bills pair with earlier signed legislation, House Bills 4120, 4121 and 4122, which require license revocation for individuals convicted of sexual contact under the pretext of medical treatment and require employers of mandatory reporters to distribute training materials.

Members with questions about state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Carlson Discusses State Budget with Michigan Advance

MHA In The News
Adam Carlson

Adam CarlsonMichigan Advance published a story July 9 on the healthcare priorities included in the fiscal year 2024 state budget. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA, is quoted multiple times in the story regarding funding specific to hospitals and health systems.

Topics covered by Carlson include hospital security, behavioral health and health equity. The budget included both new funding to support trauma center and inpatient psychiatric services, as well as continued support for long-standing programs crucial to access to healthcare services throughout Michigan.

“We’re in the middle of a behavioral health crisis,” said Carlson regarding the $33 million towards increased Medicaid rates for inpatient psychiatric facilities. “Given the size of the problem, it’s not going to solve it. We’ll still have a shortage of beds, but ideally it will lead to better patient outcomes.”

The MHA Behavioral Health Boarding Survey was also mentioned in an article from Bridge published July 13 which focuses on a new behavioral health unit in northern Michigan as it seeks to address the need for more behavioral health services in the region.

Headline Roundup: Hospital Staffing Shortages

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Laura Appel speaks with WXYZ Detroit on cancer drug shortages.
Laura Appel speaks with WXYZ Detroit on cancer drug shortages.
Laura Appel speaks with WXYZ Detroit on cancer drug shortages.

The MHA received media coverage the week of June 19 regarding mandated nurse staffing ratios, legislation to address violence against healthcare workers and chemotherapy drug shortages.

MHA representatives appearing in published stories include CEO Brian Peters, Executive Vice President Laura Appel and Senior Vice President Adam Carlson.

Below is a collection of headline from around the state.

Sunday, June 25

Thursday, June 22

Wednesday, June 21

Tuesday, June 20

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