Tag: Adam Carlson

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on Advocacy Priorities for Michigan Hospitals

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met May 14 at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. MHA Capitol Advocacy Center staff provided important updates to the panel on healthcare activities at both the federal and state levels.

Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, provided a federal update covering a range of topics, including federal funding, tariffs, the 340B program and more. John Karasinski, senior director, communications, shared updates on the association’s Medicaid communications strategies, highlighting efforts to promote the vitality of the program in Michigan. Karasinski also detailed MHA activities related to media engagement, action alerts, advocacy campaigns and recent public polling released by the Protect MI Care Coalition.

In addition, the panel received presentations on nurse practitioner scope of practice legislation and insurance coverage for annual mental health exams.

The panel acted on one issue, making the recommendation that the MHA to firmly oppose any site-neutral payment policies proposed in Michigan.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Wellpath Supplemental Testimony Highlights Week of Advocacy Efforts

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

The MHA provided testimony April 30 to the House Appropriations Committee about healthcare services provided to prisoners by Michigan hospitals that have not been reimbursed by Wellpath, a third-party private vendor.

The House Appropriations Committee heard from several key stakeholders, including the MHA, on issues related to Wellpath and their failure to reimburse hospitals and EMS providers for delivering healthcare services to prisoners. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, Advocacy, discussed how hospitals are required by federal EMTALA law to provide healthcare to any person who seeks care, regardless of insurance status or residency – including the prisoner population in the state of Michigan. Further, it was shared that hospitals provided more than $35 million in healthcare services to prisoners from January 2022 through May 2024 that have not been reimbursed from Wellpath, and that the vendor has since filed for bankruptcy.

Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA provided testimony on a Well Path supplemental appropriation.

Helen Johnson, CEO, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, followed with her testimony and shared a unique example of how her hospital serves 6,000 residents and 1,100 prisoners in the region, indicating that nearly one-sixth of the hospital’s patient mix are from the nearby correctional facility. As a result, she explained that Helen Newberry Joy Hospital is still owed $800,000 from Wellpath, which represents wages for approximately 25% of the hospital’s nursing staff. This is only one example of several from member hospitals currently experiencing this financial issue with the previously contracted third-party vendor. The MHA will continue efforts to strongly advocate for a state supplemental appropriation of $35 million to offset outstanding payments owed to all member hospitals from Wellpath.

Multiple compact bills supported by the MHA also received a hearing in the new House Rules Committee, which evaluates legislation before it is considered for a full House chamber vote. House Bill 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), would add Michigan to the occupational therapist licensure compact agreement. Additionally, House Bill 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), would create a licensure compact for physician’s assistants in the state. The MHA will continue to support these bills as they move forward in the legislative process.

Also, the Senate MDHHS Appropriations Subcommittee reported its budget recommendation for fiscal year 25-26. Key MHA priorities were protected, including funding for Medicaid, the rural and obstetrical stabilization pools, peer recovery coaches and maternal health. The MHA will continue to support these funding proposals and advocate for more resources dedicated to behavioral health and access.

Members with questions should contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on Opioid Treatment Policies

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 12 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The MHA advocacy team provided important updates to the panel on healthcare activities at both the federal and state levels.

Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, shared the federal update, recapping the activities of the Trump administration since inauguration. Topics included a review of several healthcare-related executive orders, federal agency appointments and proposed Medicaid funding cuts.

Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, advocacy, then provided the panel with a state legislative update, recapping the recent passage of 340B contract pharmacy legislation in the Senate and the recently revised Earned Sick Time Act. Senate Bill (SB) 94, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), passed the Senate 33-3, with overwhelming bipartisan support, on March 6, which safeguards the 340B program in Michigan, ensuring cost savings and preserving access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. The bill is paired with SB 95, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), which requires hospital compliance with federal cost transparency laws.

John Karasinski, senior director, communications, discussed the public communications strategies supporting Medicaid and 340B efforts. Panel members were encouraged to visit the MHA’s Legislative Action Center and to use the action alerts for both topics.

The Panel chose to act on two issues, making recommendations related to opioid treatments. The first recommendation directs the MHA to support efforts to eliminate prior authorization requirements for buprenorphine. The second recommendation is for the MHA to work with state agencies on state regulatory requirements for opioid treatment programs.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, members may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Senate Introduces 340B Hospital Protections; MHA Testifies on IMLC

Member News

The Senate introduced MHA-driven legislation protecting the 340B program and the House Health Policy Committee heard testimony on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) legislation during the week of Feb. 17.

The Senate introduced Senate Bill (SB) 94, sponsored by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), on Feb. 20. This legislation ensures protections from drug manufacturer overreach for hospitals and community health clinics participating in the 340B program in Michigan. The bill is vital for hospitals that serve vulnerable populations, helping them stretch scarce resources to care for more patients. SB 94 safeguards the program, ensuring cost savings and preserving access to affordable healthcare services in both urban and rural Michigan communities. Further, this legislation adds first-of-its-kind pharmaceutical manufacturer transparency requirements, making Michigan’s legislation the strongest in the nation.

The Senate paired SB 94 with SB 95, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Lindsey (R-Allen), which requires hospital compliance with federal cost transparency laws. The MHA continues to advocate for the 340B program and support Michigan hospitals’ efforts to expand access to quality, community-based care. Members are encouraged to contact their lawmakers in support of this legislation.

In addition, the House Health Policy Committee heard testimony on House Bill (HB) 4032, introduced by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile), during the committee’s first meeting of the new session. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, Advocacy, MHA, testified in support of the legislation to eliminate the sunset on the interstate medical licensure compact, which streamlines the licensing process and allows physicians licensed in one state to practice in multiple, participating states.

By removing additional licensing requirements for physicians seeking to practice across state lines, patients experience increased access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, by physicians included in the compact. States involved in the compact can share disciplinary and investigative information through the state medical board to strengthen public protection for patients and the program. Michigan’s participation in the compact is currently set to expire March 28, 2025. The MHA supports this legislation and is working quickly with legislators to move it through the legislative process before the compact’s current expiration date.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Earned Sick Time Act & Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Advance in Senate

Issues in Healthcare, Member News

Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact advanced in the Michigan State during the week of Feb. 10.

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee narrowly voted Feb. 12 to move Senate Bill (SB) 15 (S-1), introduced by Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), to the Senate floor. This bill seeks to address the voter initiative petition on earned sick time that is scheduled to go into effect Feb. 21, 2025.

The ESTA, as enacted Public Act 338 of 2018, applies to all employers and requires that an employee be provided one (1) hour of earned sick time for every 30 hours worked. That sick time may carry over year-to-year and allows increased usage of paid earned sick time for an employee of up to 72 hours per year.

SB 15 (S-1) is an alternative proposal to House Bill (HB) 4002, sponsored by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay). The MHA supports HB 4002 because it provides vital clarifications regarding time accruals, employee notice provisions, sick time pay rates and exempts independent contractors and part time employees. The MHA continues to work with the Senate on necessary refinements to SB 15 and with legislators in both the House and Senate as they negotiate to ensure important changes to the ESTA are made before it is slated to go into effect.

Furthermore, SB 60 passed the Senate on Feb. 13. This bill removes the sunset on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which streamlines the licensing process and allows physicians licensed in one state to practice in multiple, participating states. With the compact set to expire March 28, the MHA is working quickly with legislators to pass this important legislation to maintain the agreement.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 10, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented

Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) moving through the Senate Health Policy Committee, a reintroduction of the Momnibus …

The Joint Commission President and CEO Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees welcomed The Joint Commission President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD to its Feb. 3 meeting. In his guest presentation, Dr. Perlin shared The Joint Commission’s mission to work …

Workforce Support and Growth Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 5 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support, protecting access, mental and behavioral health, creating healthy communities, strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy …

speak upCorewell Health Trenton Hospital Nurse Honored with Q4 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center celebrates Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for February. The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or …

MHA Keystone Center Launches Infection Control Quality Improvement Cohort

The MHA Keystone Center is launching an infection control quality improvement cohort, providing high-touch technical assistance to ten long-term care facilities. The Strengthening Long-term Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Address Emerging Pathogens …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — The Realities of the Earned Sick Time Act

Healthcare continues to be the leading private-sector employer in Michigan. Our latest Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report shows healthcare provided nearly 572,000 direct jobs in Michigan in 2022, with roughly 217,000 of those jobs in hospitals. …

Keckley Report

Is health insurance reform the key to affordability and lower costs?

“For most Americans, having health insurance is still considered a hedge against unexpected or otherwise unaffordable medical bills.

For most elected officials in Congress and state legislatures, Medicare and Medicaid are insurance programs that consume a large and growing piece of public funding, squeezing out other areas of need.

For virtually all hospitals, physicians, ancillary and long-term care providers, insurance is still the unwelcome front door through which all must go to get paid but their administrative hassles and low reimbursement rates are ruining the system for everyone.

And large majorities in each of these groups are unhappy with insurers for a myriad of reasons well-documented in trade publications and polling. …

The blame and shame game to which insiders in healthcare are addicted is a zero-sum game: blaming any single sector for the cumulative deficiencies in affordability and costs is misleading and does not serve the greater good.

Is health insurance reform the key to health system affordability and lower costs? It plays a role but not alone.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 3, 2025

News to Know

In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

A MHA media statement published Feb. 5 was included in stories by Michigan news outlets covering the fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation. The statement, attributed to MHA CEO Brian Peters, was mentioned by WLNS-TV …

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented

Member News

Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) moving through the Senate Health Policy Committee, a reintroduction of the Momnibus bill package and Gov. Whitmer presenting her executive budget recommendation.

The Senate Health Policy Committee heard testimony and voted unanimously in support of Senate Bill (SB) 60 on Feb. 5. SB 60 removes the sunset on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which streamlines the licensing process and allows physicians licensed in one state to practice in multiple, participating states. With the compact set to expire on March 28, the MHA is working quickly with legislators to re-introduce and pass this important legislation to maintain the agreement.

Also, the Michigan Senate reintroduced the Momnibus, a group of bills designed to improve health outcomes and accountability in prenatal and maternal healthcare during the week of Feb. 3. The legislation includes SBs 29–39, which focus on addressing access barriers, improving access to care and ensuring better patient outcomes for all birthing individuals, particularly those from African American and Brown communities.

The Momnibus makes several changes aimed at improving maternal healthcare, including creating opportunities for patients to directly engage in their treatment experience, implementing policies that support patient rights and provide coverage for certain perinatal and gynecological services. The bills also expand midwifery services, improve data transparency about maternal health outcomes and protect patient rights related to pregnancy and childbirth.

The bills have been referred to respective Senate committees. The MHA worked closely with the bill sponsors to improve access to maternal care and support SBs 29, 30, 31, 36, 38 and 39.

The final and major highlight of the week was the executive budget recommendation released by Gov. Whitmer and Budget Director Jen Flood on Feb. 5 for fiscal year 2026. The governor’s budget expands on essential funding for Medicaid, behavioral health services and substance use disorder prevention and treatment programs. The expansion of Medicaid funding allows more elderly and disabled beneficiaries to meet eligibility requirements without having to spend down their own assets to do so. In addition, it includes continued funding and resources dedicated to maternal and infant health.

MHA CEO Brian Peters released a media statement in support of the executive budget recommendation, applauding Gov. Whitmer’s commitment to being a healthcare champion.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 3, 2025

Monday Report, Member News

Important Healthcare Workforce Bills Reintroduced & Committee Assignments Announced

Important healthcare workforce bills related to the interstate medical licensure compact prohibitions on non-compete agreements were reintroduced from the past legislative session by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Jan. 27. In addition, committee …

MHA Webinar to Review 2025 MI-AIM Eligibility Requirements

The MHA will host an informational webinar at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 to review 2025 eligibility requirements for hospital birthing units to receive maternal health quality payments through the Michigan Department of Health and …

BEAD Program Opens to Support Broadband Access in Michigan

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program recently opened its two-step application process through 4 p.m. April 9, 2025, with pre-applications required for submission by 4 p.m. March 10. The program is part of …

Speaking Health Care™ Guide Assists with Understanding Language

Orientating new trustees extends far beyond a single session. New members usually require months to get fully up-to-speed on strategic priorities and the basic expectations for trustees. A daunting challenge is interpreting language about operations, clinical care, …

Keckley Report

Bill Maher Rant is Shared by Most

“Last Friday (January 24), comedian Bill Maher offered a perspective on the murder of UnitedHealth Executive Brian Thompson on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. With characteristic profanity-laced sarcasm, he assailed insurers, hospitals, drug companies, doctors and enablers as complicit in BT’s death because “the system” has abandoned any semblance of concern about caring for people. …

Healthcare insiders now face an unwelcome reality: outsiders aren’t happy and they’re acting on their discontent. Outsiders–employers, consumers, community leaders, state and federal elected officials, news organizations and even volunteer members of non-profit healthcare organizations– believe systemic reform is needed. Recent polling by Hart and KFF indicate increased transparency about healthcare prices is their starting point: they’re worried about affordability but don’t think insiders care. …

Like Bill Maher and the majority of outsiders, they think the system stinks. Healthcare—every sector– needs to fresh start with outsiders. Transparency means more than posting charges, discounted prices, out-of-pocket estimates and premiums. It about underlying direct and indirect costs, margins, how leaders are compensated, how clinical processes and clinical decisions are made, how clinician performance is measured, how denials are adjudicated, how consumers are heard, how non-financial results matter to the organization and much more. That’s a start.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 27, 2025

News to Know

  • The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management is now accepting nominations for the Paul Venzke Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of Healthcare Risk Management.
  • The MHA is hosting a series of free webinars focused on healthcare workforce challenges, featuring insights from MHA Endorsed Business Partners.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted by media outlets the week of Jan. 27 discussing federal healthcare issues. Bridge published an article Jan. 27 about the temporary pause of external communications from federal health agencies. …

Important Healthcare Workforce Bills Reintroduced & Committee Assignments Announced

Member News

Important healthcare workforce bills related to the interstate medical licensure compact and prohibitions on non-compete agreements were reintroduced from the past legislative session by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Jan. 27. In addition, committee assignments were announced for the Michigan House of Representations.

House Bill 4032, sponsored by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile), was introduced and referred to the Health Policy Committee. This legislation is a re-introduction from last term to eliminate the sunset on the interstate medical licensure compact, which streamlines the licensing process and allows physicians licensed in one state to practice in multiple, participating states.

By removing additional licensing requirements for physicians seeking to practice across state lines, patients experience increased access to care, especially in rural and underserved areas, by physicians included in the compact. In addition, states involved in the compact can share disciplinary and investigative information through the state medical board to strengthen public protection for patients and the program itself. Michigan’s participation in the compact is currently set to expire on March 28, 2025. The MHA supports this legislation and is working quickly with legislators to move it through the legislative process before the compact’s current expiration date.

Also, House Bill 4040 was reintroduced by Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens) to prohibit employers from requiring employees agree to certain noncompete agreements. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Economic Competitiveness. The MHA is opposed to this legislation.

Another key legislative update from the week was the announcement of full House committee assignments. There are 18 Standing Committees this term, with notable committees including Appropriations, Education and Workforce, Health Policy, Insurance, Oversight and Regulatory Reform.

New to this term are the subcommittees on Oversight and traditional MDHHS appropriations. Both committees now include specific subcommittees addressing items like public health, while the Appropriations subcommittee is divided into three separate subcommittees on Human Services, Medicaid and Behavioral Health, and Public Health. Finally, there is a newly created Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses. The MHA looks forward to working with legislators serving on these committees to best represent MHA members during the 2025-2026 legislative term.

Members with questions may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 27, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Legislation on Maternal Healthcare Access and Preserving Healthy Michigan Plan Coverage Becomes Law

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills Jan. 21 aimed at improving maternal healthcare access, equity and outcomes, as well as preserving eligibility for those under the Healthy Michigan Plan. The MHA worked extensively with bill sponsors …

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on AI & Credentialing Policy

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 22 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with Carlos Jackson from The Cornerstone Group, the MHA’s Washington DC-based government …

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The MHA is now accepting nominations for its 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. Michigan hospitals and health systems have a long-standing commitment to offering a wide range of services that enhance the health and …

Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Update

The MHA updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on December 2024 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …

Registration Open for 2025 Human Resources Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing. The event offers attendees an opportunity to expand their …

YesRx Hosts Cancer Medication Donation Drive

The MHA is committed to efforts that expand access to services and mitigate barriers to timely and effective treatments. YesRx is a statewide cancer drug repository program, accepting donations of unopened cancer medications through partnerships …

MHA Podcast Explores Strategies to Enhance Workplace Safety, Security

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the latest on healthcare workplace safety with Brian Uridge, MPA, CPP, CHPA, CTM, senior director at the University of Michigan Department of Public …

Keckley Report

Game On: Team Trump aims to Shake up Healthcare with Rules, Laws, Appointments and Swagger

“Hovering over Team Trump’s agenda is the reality that Americans think the country is heading in the wrong direction and trust in its institutions including the health system is at a historic low. Restoring confidence will be a gargantuan task.

Team Trump will use Executive Orders, personnel appointments, court challenges, and legislation to advance its healthcare agenda powered by its ‘take no prisoners’ operating mode whereby the ends are justified by means. Every sector in healthcare will be impacted, some more than others. … Reacting to changes in the current environment of U.S. healthcare resulting from Team Trump is necessary and time-consuming, but neglecting thoughtful consideration about the system’s long-term future and its role in “improving the state of the world” is fatalistic.  Both need attention.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 20, 2024

News to Know

The MHA will host the webinar How Federal Grant Funding Covers IT Department Costs Feb. 7 with Endorsed Business Partner Scaled Data Health to share how government funding, along with their innovative programs, can save hospitals significant dollars.