Tag: Carlos Jackson

State Medicaid Office Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
Carlos Jackson, federal lobbyist, Cornerstone Government Affairs.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened March 15 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on Medicaid redetermination from Brian Keisling, director, Bureau of Medicaid Policy, Operations and Actuarial Services. The state is starting the renewal process this month for nearly three million Medicaid beneficiaries. Keisling discussed the approach they’re taking to review beneficiaries as part of the redetermination process and planned communications with beneficiaries whose eligibility will expire or renew.

Moving to action items, the panel recommended the MHA advocate for incentives that would support birthing hospital participation in Levels of Maternal Care.

In addition, the panel discussed issues around telehealth and the potential discrimination against living organ donors.

The panel received updates on other issues including a federal update from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs, hospital workforce funding, state budget negotiations and MHA efforts related to behavioral health.

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

MHA Board of Trustees Reviews State and Federal Advocacy Options to Further Strategic Priorities

Member News

The MHA Board of Trustees began its Feb. 8 meeting with a federal advocacy briefing from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs. Jackson highlighted the policy and funding threats and opportunities healthcare providers face under the new divided Congress and Biden administration, including possible provider cuts to address deficit reduction, programs affected by the expiration of the federal public health emergency declaration and ongoing pharmaceutical industry challenges to 340B drug pricing policies.

The board also examined several state advocacy initiatives to further the board’s strategic priorities focusing on financial viability, workforce wellbeing and restoration and the furtherance of efforts aimed at improving health equity and behavioral healthcare. The board supported pursing additional state funding for workforce security and pediatric psychiatric care, as well as an effort to maximize federal Medicaid matching funds. The board also directed the MHA to work with the MHA Health Equity Taskforce and the MHA Safety and Quality Committee to address health disparities through the development of tools for the transparent reporting of health equity performance measures.

In addition to advocacy efforts aimed at state and federal policymakers, the board continued to support the association’s ongoing partnerships with hospitals throughout the state to “tell our story” publicly about the challenges and opportunities healthcare organizations face and how hospitals can work together to advance the health of individuals and communities.

The board also received a report from the MHA Service Corporation, which included a spotlight of Endorsed Business Partner Merritt Hawkins, as well as a discussion of staff succession in light of the upcoming retirement of longtime Chief Operating Officer Peter Schonfeld at the MHA.

The board concluded with regional hospital council reports and an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

For more information about actions of the MHA Board of Trustees, contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

First Legislative Policy Panel Meeting of 2023

Member News
Bill Wortz and Frank Foster of Public Affairs Associates present to the Legislative Policy Panel.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened Jan. 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from MHA multi-client lobbying firm Public Affairs Associates on the new political landscape in Michigan. Managing Partner Bill Wortz and Partner Frank Foster recapped the recent election results, reviewed new legislative leadership and focused on the priorities of Democrats, who hold majorities in each chamber of the Michigan Legislature for the first time since 1984.

Moving to action items, the panel recommended the MHA support legislation to strengthen the Healthy Michigan Plan and remove provisions that are ineffective, administratively burdensome or create risk to the long-term viability of the program. The panel also recommended the MHA develop legislation to enable hospitals to bill and receive reimbursement for healthcare and other services provided to psychiatric patients awaiting behavioral health services.

In addition, the panel discussed Senate Bill 28, which seeks to enhance the definitions of and limit the use of seclusion and restraint, which was introduced by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing).

The panel received updates on other issues including a federal update from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs, state budget negotiations and a recap of last year’s lame-duck session.

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