Tag: Brenda Carr

Accommodations Deadline Approaching for MHA Human Resources Conference

Member News

The Feb. 21 accommodations deadline is approaching for the highly anticipated 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing.

After a day of networking and peer-to-peer collaboration, attendees will hear insights from human resources guru Tim Sackett. In his closing remarks, Sackett will share the key elements of a high-performing culture and explain the connection between well-being and performance. Additionally, he will share strategies for creating a more supportive, inclusive and high-performing workplace.

The MHA Human Resources Conference is valid for 5.25 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®.

An overnight room rate of $152 for hotel guest rooms is available for MHA Human Resources Conference attendees (rooms subject to state and local taxes). Room reservations can be made by contacting the Crowne Plaza directly (877-322-5544) and mentioning the MHA to receive a discounted rate. Reservations can also be made online using “MHA” as a group access code. After the Feb. 21 deadline, room reservations and rates will be confirmed based on availability.

Members are encouraged to register now or contact Brenda Carr at the MHA for assistance. Questions about the conference should be directed to Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Webinar to Review Upcoming Earned Sick Time Act

Member News

The MHA will host the webinar Earned Sick Time Act – What to Know and How to Prepare from 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 to provide an overview of the upcoming Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) effective Feb. 21, 2025, and to help employers prepare for compliance.

The webinar will cover key elements of the act, including the requirement for employees to earn one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked, the ability to carry over unused sick time year-to-year and the increased usage cap of up to 72 hours per year. Presenters will also discuss the need for employers to update informational posters and address remaining questions about the act.

Attendees will gain practical insights into preparing for these changes and have the opportunity to ask questions. Members are encouraged to submit questions about ESTA to Erica Leyko at the MHA by Dec. 5.

The webinar is free of charge for MHA members and registration is open through Dec. 6. Members with registration questions may contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.

Webinar Focuses on Strengthening Healthcare Worker Well-being

Member News

The MHA Health Foundation will host the webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4 to offer strategies for supporting the mental well-being of healthcare professionals. The webinar offers Continuing Medical Education (CME) and nursing continuing education credits.

Attendees will explore impactful resources provided by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. Stefanie Simmons, MD, chief medical officer, Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, will outline workplace policies and practices that reduce burnout and normalize help-seeking, including amending credentialing applications to remove mental health questions that are potentially stigmatizing, discriminatory or violating privacy.

Additionally, two Michigan healthcare leaders will share how their team has implemented strategies in the Impact Wellbeing™ Guide to focus on operational-level improvements for resilience.

The webinar is free of charge to MHA members. Members with questions about registration may contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 28, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

Obtaining Beyfortus through the Vaccines for Children Program

Vaccination remains a key strategy to mitigate the impact of adverse health outcomes on patients and hospital operations during the 2024-2025 respiratory season. The MHA urges all birthing hospitals to become Vaccines for Children …

Webinar Outlines Policies to Remove Stigma from Credentialing Applications

The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center will host the MHA Health Foundation webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4. The webinar will outline how …

A Healthier Future: Improving Access for Immigrant Families in Michigan

Accessing healthcare can be a daunting experience for anyone, but it poses unique challenges for immigrants and refugees. I recently participated in a breakout session at the Michigan Association for Local Public Health Conference held in …

Keckley Report

U.S. Healthcare in 2025 and Beyond: Three Major Predictions

“With 15 days before voters decide the composition of the 119th U.S. Congress and the next White House occupant, the immediate future for U.S. healthcare is both predictable and problematic:

  1. States will be the epicenter for healthcare legislation and regulation; federal initiatives will be substantially fewer.  …
  2.  Large employers will take direct action to control their health costs. …
  3.  Private equity and strategic investors will capitalize on healthcare market conditions. …

Combined, these three predictions foretell a U.S. healthcare system that faces a significant pressure to demonstrate value. They require every healthcare organization to assess long-term strategies in the likely context of reduced funding, increased regulation and heightened attention to prices and affordability. This is problematic for insiders accustomed to incrementalism that’s protected them from unwelcome changes for 3 decades.

Announcements last week by Walgreens and CVS about changes to their strategies going forward reflect the industry’s new normal: change is constant, success if not. In 2025, regardless of the election outcome, healthcare will be a major focus for lawmakers, regulators, employers and consumers.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 21, 2024

News to Know

  • The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Voters in line at 8 p.m. can still cast ballots.
  • MHA endorsed business partner HSS has officially rebranded as Tarian, following its acquisition in 2022.

MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 21 regarding the Baxter IV solutions shortage and the impact hospitals have in their local communities. WOOD TV aired a story Oct. 21 about the impact …

Webinar Outlines Policies to Remove Stigma from Credentialing Applications

Member News

The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center will host the MHA Health Foundation webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4. The webinar will outline how hospital and health system credentialing applications can be changed to remove mental health questions that are potentially stigmatizing, discriminatory or violate privacy.

Stefanie Simmons, MD, chief medical officer at the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation, will cover:

  • Methods to identify intrusive, stigmatizing questions about mental health in credentialing applications, addendums and peer review forms.
  • Processes to change invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health in credentialing applications and other documentation.
  • Effective ways to communicate support for the mental health and well-being of caregivers.
  • Example policies for reducing burnout and recognizing well-being as a key outcome for quality improvement.

The webinar is free of charge to MHA members. Members with questions about registration should contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 21, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

State Senate Advances Healthcare Legislation

Several bills impacting healthcare and hospitals were advanced through committees in the state Senate during the week of Oct. 14. Senate Housing and Human Services voted out a package of legislation referred to as the …

MHA Continues to Monitor Baxter IV Solutions Shortage

The MHA continues to support Michigan hospitals in response to the Baxter IV solutions shortage that began the week of Sept. 29. Baxter International Inc. temporarily closed its North Cove manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., …

LARA to Evaluate Non-Long Term Care Provider Licensures

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is required by MCL 333.20155 to make at least one visit to each licensed Non-Long Term Care provider every three years to evaluate licensure. LARA may waive …

MHA Webinar Explores Leadership Strategic Planning for AI

The MHA will host the webinar How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically, scheduled 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 3. The webinar will cover a framework to govern the approach, policies …

CMS Finalizes Medicare Appeals Process for Beneficiary Status Change

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services recently released a final rule, effective Oct. 11, 2024, implementing a federal district court order that …

Rural Health Research Gateway Releases Report on the First Year of REHs

The Rural Health Research Gateway recently published a report on Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) highlighting data from the first year of the designation. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the Rural Emergency Hospital provider type …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Supreme Court

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they …

Three Key Takeaways from the MHA Webinar Featuring Health Equity Regulatory Requirements

Earlier this month, the MHA, in partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, hosted a member webinar highlighting the current and future state of health equity priorities and requirements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission that impact …

Keckley Report

Do Healthcare Prices Matter?

“With the election 22 days away and inflation the key issue for voters, the latest Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is especially important. Released last Tuesday, it shows: …

Healthcare prices account for 10.2% of the CPI but attention to these is decidedly less than food, energy, housing and other categories. For consumers, that neglect is harmful’ for industry insiders, it’s a pressure point that’s been avoided. Price estimators, posted chargemasters, open-panel benefits design, website queries and other tactics work OK for now. So…

Do Healthcare Prices Matter? Not much today. But they’re mission critical in healthcare tomorrow.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 14, 2024

 

News to Know

The United States Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury issued Sept. 9 a set of final rules on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Laura Appel speaks with NBC25 about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.

MHA in the News

The MHA continued to engage with media requests on the Baxter IV solutions shortage during the week of Oct. 14. NBC25/Fox66 in Flint aired a story Oct. 16 on the shortage, which includes an interview …

MHA Webinar Explores Leadership Strategic Planning for AI

Member News

The MHA will host the webinar How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically, scheduled 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 3. The webinar will cover a framework to govern the approach, policies and procedures around the responsible and safe use of AI.

National and state experts will outline why anchoring AI strategies around value, risk tolerance and scalability are critical, the importance of monitoring regulatory AI guidance and requirements and being a strong advocate. Attendees will also review the findings of the MHA AI Task Force and its AI Framework for Healthcare.

CEOs and governing board members are encouraged to attend the webinar, which is free of charge to MHA members.

Questions about MHA membership or registration should be directed to Brenda Carr at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 14, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

Legislation Impacting Hospitals Advances in State Legislature

A variety of bills impacting hospitals were introduced and discussed in the state legislature during the week of Oct. 7. Gov. Whitmer signed Public Act 132 of 2024, which updates statutory framework for the …

Baxter IV Solutions Shortage Updates

The MHA continues to support Michigan hospitals in response to the Baxter IV solutions shortage that began the week of Sept. 29. Baxter International Inc. temporarily closed its North Cove manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., …

Reimbursement for Age-Friendly Quality Data Included in FY 2025 Hospital IPPS Final Rule

Included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Medicare fee-for-service hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) fiscal year (FY) 2025 final rule is a reimbursement model for hospitals submitting age-friendly quality data. Hospitals …

Healthcare Leaders Discuss Regional Care at Lansing Economic Club

The Lansing Regional Chamber hosted its annual Future of Healthcare in the Lansing Region luncheon Oct. 10 as part of its monthly series of Lansing Economic Club events. This event featured a panel discussion moderated …

New Hospital Reporting Requirements for Respiratory Illness and Bed Capacity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced new respiratory disease reporting requirements for hospitals through the National Healthcare Safety Network effective Nov. 1. These requirements replace the previous “Hospital COVID-19 Data” reporting requirements …

MHA Webinar Outlines Strategies to Strengthen Healthcare Worker Well-being

The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center will host the MHA Health Foundation webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4. This webinar is dedicated to …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Supreme Court

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they …

MHA Podcast Explores Why Voting Matters to Healthcare in Michigan

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast featuring Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations & public policy, MHA, exploring why voting in the 2024 General Election is critical to …

Keckley Report

What is the Medicare Advantage?

“On October 15, the open enrollment period for Medicare begins running through December 7 for coverage starting in January 2025. In this period, 67 million Medicare eligible seniors can review features of Medicare plans offered in their area, switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (or vice versa), change their MA selection and add/change their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans enrolled 33 million seniors and Medicare paid private insurers $462 billion to pay for their care. But conditions for Medicare Advantage have changed in recent years prompting many to ask ‘what is the Medicare Advantage?’ …

Its funding comes from payroll taxes paid by employers and their employees, and those who are self-employed PLUS income taxes paid on Social Security benefits, interest earned on the Medicare trust fund’s investments and Part A premiums from people who aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A. …”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 7, 2024

Laura AppelMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 7 that includes coverage on a potential national shortage of IV solutions products, physician retention and rural hospital funding. The closure of a Baxter manufacturing facility …

MHA Webinar Outlines Strategies to Strengthen Healthcare Worker Well-being

Member News

The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center will host the MHA Health Foundation webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4. This webinar is dedicated to supporting the well-being of healthcare workers across the state. As healthcare professionals face increasing pressures on mental health and resilience, the MHA Health Foundation is offering an opportunity to explore the impactful resources provided by the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation.

The webinar will outline how hospital licensing and credentialing applications can be updated to remove mental health questions that are potentially stigmatizing, discriminatory or violate privacy. The Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation recognized the Michigan Licensing and Regulatory Affairs medical licensing applications as being consistent with their recommendations.

This webinar is approved for nursing and social work credit. Members may seek more information through the Accredited Continuing Education Accreditation Statement.

This webinar is offered free of charge to MHA members. Members with questions about registration should contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.

MHA Webinar Explores How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically

Member News

The MHA is hosting the webinar How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically, scheduled 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 3 which features respected healthcare leaders in artificial intelligence (AI), healthcare operations and national and state policy. Registrants will learn about the importance of enterprise objectives, current infrastructure and budget constraints in pursuing AI technology, review an example of how to structure AI policies and ensure guardrails are in place. The webinar will also help attendees understand the importance of monitoring regulatory AI guidance and requirements, and being a strong advocate.

The webinar is being offered as traditional AI, such as robotic process automation, has already made its way into hospital operations. However, the speed of AI innovation will bring transformative changes, making it essential for leaders and governing board members to understand AI’s potential value, capabilities, limitations, risks and the outcomes it can drive.

CEOs and governing board members are encouraged to attend the webinar, which is free of charge to MHA members. Questions about MHA membership or registration should contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.