Tag: Always advancing

MHA CEO Report — A Call to Strengthen Healthcare Through Collaboration

Member News, MHA Rounds
MHA Rounds graphic of Brian Peters

MHA Rounds graphic of Brian Peters“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

Our nation’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. Rising costs, workforce shortages and expanding patient needs are placing unprecedented pressure on hospitals and the communities that depend on them. Accepting this strain as status quo is not an option.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association launched the Always Caring. Always Advancing. campaign as a bold declaration of the shared commitment among Michigan hospitals to build a more affordable, accessible and sustainable healthcare system.

This oath is grounded in a simple but urgent truth: transforming a system shaped by years of uncoordinated and reactive solutions will require collaboration on a much larger scale than what exists within the current healthcare ecosystem, and Michigan hospitals are ready.

As anchor institutions in their communities, hospitals are uniquely positioned to serve as conveners, bringing together policymakers, payers, employers, providers and community leaders to align on solutions that put patients first.

Hospitals are not just adapting to current challenges, they are reimagining what care can be. By working collaboratively, they are advancing new models of care, improving coordination, and ensuring that innovation reaches every patient and every community.

At the same time, the healthcare experience extends far beyond the four walls of a hospital, and no single entity can solve the complex challenges facing our healthcare system alone.

At its heart, Always Caring. Always Advancing. is more than a campaign. It is a commitment to work together in new ways so that Michigan’s healthcare system not only endures but evolves.

Together, this work creates the foundation for a stronger future, one where care is more connected, innovative and affordable, and where every person can access the care they deserve.

If you want to learn more about the work Michigan hospitals are doing to move care forward, I encourage you to visit mihospitals.org.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Michigan Hospitals Help Advance Care for Sickle Cell Patients

Hospitals Help, Member News

Michigan hospitals are committed to investing in efforts that advance the health of the patients and communities they serve every day.

With grant funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the Bronson Health Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Henry Ford Health and University of Michigan are enhancing care for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD).

SCD is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders in Michigan. It continues to be a public health concern due to elevated rates of morbidity and mortality, disproportionately impacting African American populations. Those living with SCD often experience sudden attacks of severe pain, acute chest syndrome and various co-morbidities, including: pulmonary hypertension, stroke, gallbladder disease and organ damage.

With this in mind, the MDHHS grant program aims to help providers across the state expand access to quality, integrated care and disease-modifying therapies. It’s also designed to help improve acute care services delivered to patients living with SCD.

“The proposals selected demonstrate an understanding of the issues people living with sickle cell face in accessing the health care they need,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Each of the funded organizations are partnering with us to forward the goals of the department’s recently released SCD Strategic Plan as we work together to strengthen systems and elevate community voices.”

Michigan hospital projects are among those selected to receive approximately $80,000 to enhance or expand care for SCD. This includes:

  • Bronson Health Foundation will establish a multidisciplinary specialty clinic to improve access to quality health care and acute care services to patients living with SCD, with an emphasis on adult care.
  • Children’s Hospital of Michigan will establish a Sickle Cell Day Hospital to relocate pain management efforts from the emergency room to the SCD unit.
  • Henry Ford Health will continue to expand the transition of patients living with SCD from pediatric to adult care, as well as improve their access to other specialties and treatment management services.
  • University of Michigan (U-M) will prepare pediatric patients for transition to adult care through increasing self-management skills and knowledge of disease modifying therapies. Additionally, U-M will also work to assist in the development of a comprehensive adult sickle cell clinic to improve access to quality care and care coordination.

“This grant from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services helps Bronson continue strengthening sickle cell disease care across a patient’s lifespan by building closer coordination between our existing pediatric and adult care teams, improving continuity of care, and expanding access to specialized care in Southwest Michigan,” said Kirsten Bonifacio, PhD, lead pediatric psychologist at Bronson Children’s Hospital and principal investigator of the Sickle Cell Clinic Expansion and Enhancement Program.

Bonifacio continued, “Our goal is to deepen collaboration across our care team to deliver high-quality, multidisciplinary care close to home and improve outcomes for patients living with SCD.”

The grants are a key component of MDHHS’ commitment to improving care for Michigan residents living with SCD as outlined in the 2026-2030 SCD Public Health Strategic Plan. More information can be found on the MDHHS website.

Questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may be directed to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Hospitals Help: Schoolcraft Memorial Expands Access to Financial Assistance for Rural Residents

Hospitals Help, Member News

The teams at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital (SMH) are working to expand access to financial assistance to ensure residents across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula don’t delay or forego essential care.

As rising healthcare costs continue to impact communities and hospitals across the state, SMH remains committed to caring for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital’s sliding fee scale program offers financial assistance to those who have limited or no means of covering medical costs.

In understanding the financial realities that many rural households currently face, SMH recently revised their program eligibility to take into account a broader range of essential living expenses.

Housing, utilities, food, medical debt and transportation costs are all factored in when determining a patient’s eligibility for assistance. Those who qualify are also given access to financial counseling and support from a patient financial services representative.

During a routine OB/GYN appointment, one provider caring for a patient named Kathy discovered a lump that required a mammogram and ultrasound for further investigation. Kathy chose to drive 90 minutes to seek follow-up care at Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital in Manistique, MI.

Rather than wait months for insurance-covered care or scrambling to pay out of pocket, Kathy turned to Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital’s financial services team and received assistance that made it possible for her to get the care she needed, when she needed it.

“Knowing I was going to get help with this, especially while waiting to find out if something could be seriously wrong, made all the difference,” she said.

Federal initiatives like the 340B Drug Pricing Program also play a critical role in helping rural residents access lifesaving medications and essential services close to home, from preventive screenings to advanced treatments.

As an independent critical access hospital serving the central upper peninsula, SMH teams are focused on reducing barriers that prevent residents from getting the care they need. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(r), non-profit hospitals are required to have a written Financial Assistance Policy (FAP). Those who previously did not qualify for financial assistance are encouraged to reapply under the hospital’s updated guidelines.

Questions or content ideas for the Hospitals Help series may be directed to Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.