MHA Monday Report Feb. 19, 2024

MHA Monday Report

Workforce and Innovation Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 7 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more. The board …


Registration Open for 2024 Communications Retreat

Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled Tuesday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. The daylong event is geared toward the …


Online Learning Modules Created to Support Health Equity Programming

The MHA Keystone Center recently published an online learning module series to support hospitals and health systems in establishing and maintaining a health equity program compliant with new requirements from The Joint Commission and …


New CPT Codes for RSV Vaccine Administration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services added two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for administration of monoclonal antibodies (Nirsevimab) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for dates of service on and after Oct. …


Act Fast: Register for 2024 MHA HR Conference

Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 5, 2024 at the ACH Hotel Marriott University Area, Lansing. Attending the conference provides human resource (HR) professionals with an opportunity …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Highlights AI Controversies and Philanthropic Strategy

The February edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes articles on artificial intelligence (AI) and philanthropy. There is no question that artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform healthcare. It …


The Keckley Report

Two Lawsuits. Two Issues. One Clear Message.Paul Keckley

“Last Monday, two lawsuits were filed that strike at a fundamental challenge facing the U.S. health system …

The issue is this: is a health system’s liable when its consolidation activities result in higher prices for services provided communities and employers in communities where they operate? Is there a direct causal relationship between a system’s consolidation activities and their prices, and how should alleged harm be measured and remedied? …

Healthcare organizations and their trade groups can no longer defend against lack of transparency by defaulting to the complexity of our supply chains and payment systems. They’re excuses. The realities of generative AI and interoperability assure information driven healthcare that’s publicly accessible and inclusive of prices, costs, outcomes and business practices. In the process, the public’s interest will heighten and lawsuits will increase. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 12, 2024


News to Know

  • MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Feb. 19 in honor of President’s Day.
  • The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program March 13-15 and May 1-2.
  • The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity recently launched their 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 12, 2024

MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingExecutive Budget Supports Healthcare, Other Legislative Action

Governor Whitmer and Budget Director Jen Flood released the executive budget recommendation Feb. 7 for fiscal year 2025. The MHA is pleased to see that the Governor’s budget continues vital funding for Medicaid, rural and …


MDHHS Director Hertel Presents at MHA Board Meeting

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel presented an overview of her department’s key priorities to the MHA Board of Trustees at their Feb. 7 meeting. Hertel shared ongoing efforts to …


MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series Begins Feb. 14

The MHA is hosting a five-part webinar series to provide hospital staff with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s behavioral health system and the hospital’s role in connecting patients with care. These webinars are part of …


Healthcare Remains Key Piece of Executive Budget Recommendation

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. Healthcare access is vital for the physical and economic health of our local economies. This budget proposal presented …


Virtual Training Offered Feb. 22 for FY 2021 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training Feb. 22 at 10 a.m. Hospital staff are encouraged …


MHA CEO Report — The State of Healthcare

The new year always brings two traditional speeches from lawmakers: Gov. Whitmer just recently delivered her annual State of the State address, while President Biden will share the annual State of the Union address on March 7. While the economy …


The Keckley Report

Is the Tax Exemption for Not-for-Profit Hospitals at Risk?

“Last Thursday, Seattle-based Providence Health System announced it is refunding nearly $21 million in medical bills paid by low-income residents of Washington and erasing $137 million more in outstanding debt for others. Other systems are likely to follow as pressure con mounts on large, not-for-profit systems to modify their business practices in sensitive areas like patient debt collection, price transparency, executive compensation, investment activities and others.

I believe not-for-profit hospital systems are engines for modernizing health delivery in communities and a lightening rod for critics who think their efforts more self-serving than for the public good. Most consumers (55%) think they earn their tax exemption but 34% have mixed feelings and 10% disagree. (Keckley Poll November 20, 2023). That’s less than a convincing defense.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 5, 2024


 

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.

Health & Hospital Association Elects 2023-2024 Officers and Board Members

2023-24 MHA Board Chair Shannon Striebich.
2023-24 MHA Board Chair Shannon Striebich.

Members of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) elected new officers and appointed board members during the association’s Annual Membership Meeting June 29. Officers of the 2023-2024 MHA Board of Trustees include Shannon Striebich, chair; Julie Yaroch, DO, chair-elect; and Bill Manns, treasurer. In addition, Brian Peters was reappointed to serve an indefinite term of office as CEO of the association. The board directs the greater Lansing-based association’s statewide representation of hospitals and healthcare providers.

Striebich, ministry president and senior vice president, Operations, Trinity Health Michigan, will serve as chair during the association’s 2023-2024 program year beginning July 1. The terms of service of Yaroch, president, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, Adrian; and Manns, president and CEO, Bronson Healthcare Group, Kalamazoo, will also span the 2023-2024 program year. T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief ESG officer, University of Michigan Health/Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, will serve as immediate past chair.

Brian Peters
MHA CEO Brian Peters.

“On behalf of the full MHA membership, I want to thank Tony Denton for his terrific leadership of the MHA Board through a year of challenges that included the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency, workforce shortages and more,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are grateful for Tony’s service. We are also excited to welcome Shannon Striebich as our incoming chair. There is no questioning Shannon’s commitment to advancing the health of individuals and communities throughout our state.”

Lydia Watson, MD, president and CEO, MyMichigan Health, Midland, was appointed as trustee at-large for a three-year term.

Reappointed for three-year terms on the 2023-2024 MHA Board of Trustees as trustees at-large were Denton, Manns, Gar Atchison, chief executive officer, UP Health System – Marquette, and market president, UP Health System; Mark Eastburg, PhD, president and CEO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids; and Ed Ness, president and CEO, Munson Healthcare, Traverse City.

Continuing to serve their current terms of service as trustees at-large are Douglas Apple, MD, MS, FHM, chief clinical officer, Ascension Michigan, Warren, and interim president & CEO, Ascension Genesys Hospital, Grand Blanc; Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare, Saginaw; Karen Cheeseman, president and CEO, Mackinac Straits Health System, St. Ignace; Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids and Southfield; Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president and CEO, Hillsdale Hospital; Gregory R. Lane, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, McLaren Health Care, Grand Blanc; Brittany Lavis, CEO, Detroit Medical Center; Hunter Nostrant, president and CEO, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center, Newberry; Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids; and Bob Riney, president and CEO, Henry Ford Health, Detroit.

MHA Webinar Focuses on Building Trust and Relationships for Trustees

When stakeholders gather to discuss community vitality, the health and wellbeing of the community is not only about access to safe, affordable healthcare, but about non-medical health influences that have an impact on the community. Hospital and health system trustees have powerful voices because they represent views of both the hospital and business, and understand both are needed for community vitality.

The MHA webinar Strategy, Change and Building Trust in Your Community May 23 from noon to 1 p.m. EST will provide examples of behaviors and communication skills board members should possess to be an effective partner and outline facts demonstrating the role of providers in creating and maintaining a vital community and economy.

The series is generously sponsored by HPS, an associate member of the MHA, and free of charge to MHA members. Members with questions about registration should contact Erica Leyko at MHA.

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Multitiered Governance Structures

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The December issue includes an article noting the uptick in hospital and health system mergers and affiliations and defining expectations for board members in a multitiered governance system. The article addresses roles of executives and trustees, using an authority matrix to outline key governance functions and the implications to governance as the system grows and becomes more complex. The issue also includes a whitepaper containing key strategies and practical tools for orienting new board members.

This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Nov. 7, 2022

MHA Monday Report

MHA Board of Trustees Advances Strategic Action Plan, Affirms Policy Panel Legislative Recommendations

The MHA Board of Trustees began their Nov. 2 meeting with a review of key communication strategies to assist hospitals and health systems to “tell their stories” about the unprecedented financial and workforce challenges they currently face and how they are adapting to meet the critical healthcare and economic development needs of their communities …


Logo for MI Vote Matters, Tuesday Nov. 8Healthcare Community Urged to Vote in Nov. 8 General Election

The MHA encourages its staff, members and other stakeholders in the healthcare community to vote in the state’s general election Nov. 8.- Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. …


Parents Urged to Take Preventive Measures as Pediatric Beds Fill Up

Michigan children’s hospitals and pediatric healthcare leaders are raising awareness about a pediatric hospital bed shortage and urging the public to help prevent respiratory illnesses, which are rapidly spreading in the form of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza …


CMS Releases Final Rule to Update OPPS

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2023 …


Provider Enrollment Requirements Reinstated Effective Dec. 1, 2022

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued MMP 22-38 COVID-19 Response: Termination of Bulletin MSA 20-28, which reinstates provider enrollment requirements …


CMS Releases Final to Update Medicare PPS Effective 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service home health (HH) prospective payment system (PPS) effective Jan. 1, 2023 …


MHA Supports Increased Access to Affordable Post-Secondary Education

The MHA, along with stakeholders across diverse fields, supported record state investment in Michigan’s future workforce. On October 11th, the Governor signed Public Act 212 of 2022 establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and applications starting with students in the high school class of 2023 will now be eligible for increased state financial aid …


CE Credits Available for Unionization and Legal Guidelines Webinar

The webinar Dispelling Misinformation About Unionization and Legal Guidelines 8:30 – 10 a.m. ET Nov. 11 has been approved by HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) for 1.5 hours …


MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Your Vote Matters

At the MHA, we often say that politics is not a spectator sport. It requires continual engagement and relationship building so that when you are in a crisis and need assistance, you have trusted friends you can turn to …


The Keckley ReportPaul Keckley

The Three Blind Spots in Hospital Strategic Plans

“For 40 years, I have facilitated Board Retreats for hospitals, health systems, insurance plans and medical groups. At no time has the level of uncertainty about the future for hospitals been as intense nor the importance of a forward-looking strategic vision and planning been as necessary as now. The issues are complicated: lag indicators about demand, clinical innovations, reimbursement, costs et al are a foreboding backdrop for these discussions. And three issues have surfaced as blind spots in the environmental assessments and deliberations preceding the plan …”

Paul Keckley, Oct 31, 2022


Michigan Harvest GatheringsNews to Know

Many Michigan hospitals are underway with their Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign which runs through Nov. 18. Online donations by hospital employees and community members to the Michigan Harvest Gathering program can be made through the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s website …


MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage on the surge of RSV cases across Michigan’s pediatric hospitals during the week of Oct. 31. The coverage included several comments provided to news outlets and the distribution of a press release Nov. 4 to statewide media …

Nov. 2 Trustee Forum Converts to Virtual

Registration is being accepted for the MHA virtual Trustee Member Forum Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The forum will outline ways the association and members are supporting critical strategic pillars and allow trustees to discuss how governing boards can support workforce development and wellbeing, health equity, behavioral health and financial stability.

After Brian Peters, MHA CEO, outlines the MHA’s strategic action plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees, Pam Knecht, president and CEO of ACCORD LIMITED, will facilitate a discussion amongst registrants about ways to engage in these strategic areas through dialogue with each other and the hospital leadership team, consideration of diverse perspectives and how to advance ideas and actions through the governance process. T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and COO of University of Michigan Health, and chair of the MHA Board of Trustees will share his perspective.

The forum will be hosted on the Zoom platform. Trustees can register through Nov. 1 for the MHA Trustee Member Forum for $75 per person.

Members with questions may contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Board of Trustees Holds Final Meeting of Program Year

Tina Freese Decker at the MHA Annual Meeting
Tina Freese Decker at the MHA Annual Meeting
2021-2022 MHA Board Chair Tina Freese Decker.

After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MHA Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the 2021-2022 program year on Mackinac Island in conjunction with the MHA Annual Membership Meeting. As part of a standing agenda item focused on safety and quality lessons learned, board member Ed Ness, president and CEO, Munson Healthcare, shared examples of community and workforce resiliency exhibited by the Gaylord community and Otsego Memorial Hospital team members in the wake of the destruction caused by the recent EF3 tornado that carved a path through that community and within a block of the hospital, resulting in injury and loss of life. The board also had a strategic conversation about the most effective association engagement on matters of social and public health, health equity, financial sustainability and improving the patient experience. In all of these areas, the board stressed the importance of focusing on the mission of healthcare organizations to advance the health of patients and communities and explaining the challenges healthcare providers face in achieving this mission with specific examples. Other business included final program year reports from the committees on Behavioral Health and Public Health, with the recommendation to continue the work of these standing committees.

Current Health PAC Chair and incoming MHA Board of Trustees Chair T. Anthony Denton provided an update on the status of the 2022 MHA Health PAC campaign and encouraged eligible individuals and organizations to meet their contribution goals. Information about the MHA Health PAC is available online. The board also approved type 3 membership for BMG Money Inc., Fifth Third Bank, Vituity, and new Endorsed Business Partners AMN Language Services, B.E. Smith, HealthRise and WeLearn.

Board chair Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO, BHSH Health System, acknowledged outgoing board members Tim Johnson, president and CEO, Eaton Rapids Medical Center, and Dan Babcock, CEO, Marlette Regional Hospital and Deckerville Community Hospital. Freese Decker also recognized past chair Ed Ness for his leadership during the pandemic and wished incoming chair T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer, University of Michigan Health System, well in his leadership role. For more information about actions of the MHA Board of Trustees, contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

Health & Hospital Association Elects 2022-2023 Officers and Board Members

Members of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) elected new officers and appointed board members during the association’s Annual Membership Meeting June 30. Officers of the 2022-2023 MHA Board of Trustees include T. Anthony Denton, chair; Shannon Striebich, chair-elect; and Julie Yaroch, DO, treasurer. In addition, Brian Peters was reappointed to serve an indefinite term of office as CEO of the association. The board directs the greater Lansing-based association’s statewide representation of hospitals and healthcare providers.

Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, will serve as chair during the association’s 2022-2023 program year beginning July 1. The terms of service of Striebich, president, Trinity Health St. Joseph Mercy Oakland, Pontiac, and senior vice president of operations, Trinity Health Michigan, Canton; and Yaroch, president, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, Adrian, will also span the 2022-2023 program year. Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO, BHSH System, Grand Rapids, will serve as immediate past chair.

“On behalf of our entire membership, I want to thank Tina Freese Decker for her outstanding leadership of the MHA Board through yet another year of challenges, including the pandemic, workforce shortages and more,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are grateful for Tina’s service. We are excited to now welcome T. Anthony Denton as our incoming chair. We know Tony’s dedication to advancing the health of individuals and communities will be felt by the entire hospital and healthcare community during his tenure.”

Brittany Lavis, group CEO, Detroit Medical Center, and Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, were appointed as trustees at-large for three-year terms. Douglas Apple, MD, chief clinical officer, Ascension Michigan, Warren; Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president and CEO, Hillsdale Hospital; and Hunter Nostrant, CEO, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital, Newberry, were appointed as trustees at-large for two-year terms.

Reappointed for three-year terms on the 2022-2023 MHA Board of Trustees as trustees at-large were Karen Cheeseman, president and CEO, Mackinac Straits Health System, St. Ignace; James Dover, president and CEO, Sparrow Health System, Lansing; and Gregory R. Lane, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, McLaren Health Care, Grand Blanc.

Continuing to serve their current terms of service as trustees at-large are Gar Atchison, chief executive officer, UP Health System – Marquette, and market president, UP Health System; Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare, Saginaw; Mark Eastburg, PhD, president and CEO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids; Bill Manns, president and CEO, Bronson Healthcare, Kalamazoo; Robert Riney, president and CEO, Henry Ford Health, Detroit; and Shelleye Yaklin, president and CEO, North Ottawa Community Health System, Grand Haven.