The survey aims to enhance federal agencies’ understanding of blood supply and demand, providing a reliable foundation for regulatory measurers and strategic planning. Survey outcomes will enable the federal government to track blood availability trends to ensure maintenance of an adequate supply of safe blood.
Facilities that meet the minimum annual surgical threshold should have received an email invitation from NBCUS. Eligible members are encouraged to complete the survey no later than April 26, 2024.
Effective in 2024, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals are required to report Antimicrobial Use and Resistance (AUR) data to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) as part of the Public Health and Clinical Data Exchange objective of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Promoting Interoperability Program.
NHSN is hosting an Office Hours session March 7 at 3 p.m., which will include a brief presentation and time for Q+A. Registration for this session is required.
Members can find more resources on reporting AUR data on the CDC website.
“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” ―Mahatma Gandhi
The last four years have generated tremendous awareness about vaccines, but also a large public health challenge as disinformation has exploded and anti-vaccine sentiment has emerged from the fringes to become widely embraced. This likely isn’t news to any of you, but the issue is once again top of mind because this time of year is respiratory illness season, whether it be the flu, RSV and now COVID. Thankfully, we have vaccines available to blunt the severe impacts of these illnesses, but it falls on both healthcare providers and public health professionals to appropriately communicate the benefits of vaccines to our patients and the public.
The recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are concerning, as they are warning providers about the low vaccination rates for each of these diseases. Flu vaccination rates are down across all age groups compared to last year, while COVID vaccine uptake is the same as last year at just 17% of adults; similarly, only 17% of adults 60 years of age and older have received an RSV vaccine.
Due to these low vaccine rates, the CDC reported Dec. 14 that over the past four weeks, hospitalizations across the country increased 200% for the flu, 51% for COVID and 60% for RSV. In Michigan, we need look no further than last year to see how a surge of RSV illness can dramatically challenge the statewide capacity of our children’s hospitals. We know more can be done and it isn’t too late for people to receive their vaccines that are proven to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization.
The MHA has a long history of support for vaccinations, as we continue to work with the Alliance for Immunizations in Michigan, the Parent Information Network, I Vaccinate and others to measure, educate and promote appropriate vaccinations for all Michigan residents. I Vaccinate specifically has been a terrific statewide public awareness campaign to connect with parents on the value of making sure you keep your children up to date on their vaccinations as they grow up. The bottom line is that the safety and efficacy of numerous vaccines has been supported and documented by not only the CDC, but the World Health Organization, and many other academic and clinical organizations.
We also know healthcare personnel play a key role in limiting the spread of illness during these months. For some time, we have collaborated with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to encourage vaccination policies for healthcare personnel against preventable diseases, such as the flu and pertussis.
Healthcare personnel are also important messengers when it comes to vaccines. We highly encourage all patients with questions about vaccines to contact their healthcare provider. These are important decisions and healthcare providers are uniquely qualified to provide accurate information about the benefits and any potential risks associated with any treatment. They also do so with care and respect for their patients. The MHA provides additional vaccine resources to healthcare leaders on our MHA vaccinations webpage.
Since the pandemic, the MHA has engaged in numerous ways on healthcare supply chain issues. On that note, another key challenge has been the available supply of Beyfortus, the monoclonal antibody for infants to prevent severe RSV illness. The MHA has been actively collaborating with stakeholders to navigate these supply concerns, as well as to provide reimbursement clarity. The good news is we have plenty of patients wishing to have their infants immunized, but due to manufacturing and distribution issues, there simply is not enough supply for all these young children. Thankfully the Biden administration recently announced 230,000 additional doses of RSV immunizations for infants will be available this month.
Realistically, we know we won’t change declining vaccination trends overnight, in a society that is as polarized as ever. Yet, I’m hopeful that over time we will be able to turn the tides, much as healthcare providers have for over a hundred years in using this valuable tool to eradicate harmful illnesses. It all starts with individual conversations from trusted messengers, but at the end of the day, we need to practice what we preach.
The House Health Policy Committee held a testimony-only hearing Nov. 9 on mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, House Bills 4550-4552. The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals. The legislation, which does not create more nurses nor solve staffing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the calendar year 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule Nov. 2, aimed at promoting healthcare equity and expanding access to essential services for Medicare beneficiaries. These policies include several crucial areas, …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service recently released a final rule to update the home health (HH) prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year 2024. The rule includes updates to the Medicare fee-for-service HH PPS payment …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released a proposed rule Sept. 1, to establish minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities, as part of the Biden Administration’s Nursing Home Reform initiative. The MHA supports the goal to ensure safety and …
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2024. The rule: Provides a net 2.1% to the outpatient conversion factor for hospitals that …
The U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance announced a new cohort for the Reaching Rural: Advancing Collaborative Solutions Fellowship program Nov. 2. This year-long program will help rural leaders find solutions to substance use and misuse within their community through collaboration with …
“Does hospital ownership matter? According to a study published last week in Health Affairs Scholar, NOT MUCH. That’s a problem for not-for-profit hospitals who claim otherwise. …
The issues facing not-for-profit hospitals in the U.S. are unique and complex. Per the commentary of the CSOs, their market conditions are daunting and major changes in their structure, funding and regulation unlikely. That means lack of public understanding of their unique role is a conundrum.”
Legislation increasing penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers was approved by the state House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote during the week of Oct. 30. The MHA-supported bills increase fines for assaulting a healthcare …
New report outlines hospital community health efforts in FY 2021 The Michigan Health & Hospital Association released today the Making a Difference in Our Communities report that highlights how hospitals invested more than $784 …
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus lower respiratory tract disease in infants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2023. The MHA has …
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association Keystone Center a Dragan Spremo at University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award on Oct 23. The MHA Keystone Center …
Registration is open for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Healthcare certificate program offered Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ET. The event, hosted by the Michigan Health & Hospital …
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently submitted a proposed rule outlining penalties providers would face if they do not appropriately share patient data as outlined in the 21st Century Cures Act. …
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently published a webpage to track the allocation of $800 million received for opioid settlement investments. MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Baghdasarian indicated the website …
Hospitals and health systems face significant adversity, yet Michigan providers continue to provide high quality and accessible healthcare to their communities, in great part because of governing boards, executives and staff leadership. Board and committee …
As we have discussed in these monthly reports in the past, I am incredibly proud that the MHA is committed to the health equity journey, which once again has been identified by the MHA Board of Trustees as …
“As news cycles go, this one was standard fare for healthcare: with the exception of business plan announcements by organizations or as elements of tragedies like Lewiston, Gaza or a pandemic, the business of the health system—how it operates is largely uncovered and often subject to misinformation or disinformation. …
In the next 3 weeks, attention will be on the federal budget: healthcare will be in the background unless temporarily an element of a mass tragedy. Each trade group will tout its accomplishments to regulators and pimp their advocacy punch list. Each company will gin-out news releases and commentary about the future of the system will default to think tanks and focused on a single issue of interest.
That’s the problem. In this era of social media, polarization, and mass transparency, these old ways of communicating no longer work. Left unattended, they undermine the value proposition on which the U.S. system is based.”
The MHA will host a virtual member from 2 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 to outline the MHA 2023 – 2024 strategic action plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently released an updated 2024 Medicare & You Handbook which provides information for patients regarding traditional Medicare, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage and more.
Beyfortus (nirsevimab) is a long-acting monoclonal antibody for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) lower respiratory tract disease in infants approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in July 2023. The MHA has heard significant concerns from members about the cost of purchasing and administering Beyfortus for infants entering their first RSV season since the drug was approved and has been working diligently to alleviate barriers.
The MHA sent letters to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the Michigan Association of Health Plans (MAHP) Oct. 23 to encourage coverage of Beyfortus so cost is not a barrier to adequate protection for the most vulnerable infants. Additionally, the MHA has engaged in conversations with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid health plans to confirm Beyfortus is covered through the federally funded Vaccines for Children program. Updates on coverage will be shared as soon as they become available.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory Oct. 23 providing guidance for clinicians in administering Beyfortus given current supply shortages. This follows release of a statement from Sanofi, Beyfortus’ manufacturer, indicating demand for the product has been higher than anticipated and supply has not kept pace, despite an aggressive supply plan.
The CDC’s interim recommendations for prioritizing Beyfortus administration include prioritizing administration of 100mg nirsevimab doses for:
Infants younger than six months old.
American Indian and Alaska Native infants younger than eight months old.
Infants between six to eight months with underlying health conditions that put them at high risk of severe RSV disease.
In addition, children eight to 19 months old should not receive nirsevimab, if they are eligible for palivizumab (Synagis). Lastly, providers should not utilize two, 50mg nirsevimab doses in lieu of one, 100mg dose for infants greater than 11 pounds.
Members may refer to the CDC HAN advisory for the complete recommendation. Members experiencing challenges with billing or reimbursement for Beyfortus administration should contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.
The Food and Drug Administration approved the updated mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Sept. 11. These updated vaccines currently target circulating subvariants including XBB.1.5, EG.5 and FL.1.5.1, as well as BA.2.86, and provide improved protection against severe outcomes such as hospitalization and death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) convened its Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Sept. 12, which issued recommendations about vaccination administration, dosing and scheduling. The final recommendation is that everyone six months of age and older should receive an updated COVID-19 vaccine this fall, ensuring it has been at least two months since receipt of the last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Additional vaccination guidelines include:
Individuals six months – four years:
Complete a multi-dose initial series (two doses of Moderna or three doses of Pfizer) with at least one dose of the updated 2023-2024 vaccine.
If the initial series is already complete, 2023-2024 vaccine can be issued at least two months after receipt of last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Individuals five years of age and older:
Regardless of prior vaccination, receive one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine at least two months after receipt of last COVID-19 vaccine dose.
Individuals who are moderate or severely immunocompromised:
Complete a three-dose initial series with at least one dose of the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine.
Individuals may receive one or more additional COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Per the CDC, COVID-19 and flu vaccines may be coadministered, which may be an effective strategy to ensure broad vaccination coverage for all eligible Michiganders.
The U.S. Government ended distribution of COVID-19 vaccines through the current ordering system Sept. 12.
Updated vaccines can now be ordered:
Directly from the manufacturers as you do for other ACIP recommended vaccines.
Please note thatBivalentmRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines are no longer authorized for use in the United States. It is recommended providers remove all bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from storage units and dispose of them immediately, in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
More information can be found in the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services press release or by visiting the CDC website.
Michigan’s COVID-19 case numbers and hospitalizations have increased since early July with the onset of omicron variant BA.5. Here are the latest key statistics:
875 hospitalizations with confirmed or suspected COVID-19, a 20% increase since July 1.
23 pediatric hospitalizations with confirmed or suspected COVID-19.
67.6% of all residents have at least one dose of vaccine.
29.2% of kids aged 5-11 have now initiated vaccination.
Roughly 2% of kids aged 6 months-5 years have initiated vaccination since approval was granted in mid-June.
The MHA continues to keep members apprised of pandemic-related developments affecting hospitals through email updates and the MHA Coronavirus webpage. Important updates are outlined below.
Governor Signs COVID-19 Liability Legislation
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer recently signed several COVID-19 liability-related bills:
House Bill 5244 (Public Act 138 of 2022) amends Public Act 238 of 2020, which prohibits an employer from taking certain actions against an employee who does not report to work under circumstances related to COVID-19, to specify that the Act would not apply to a claim or cause of action that accrued after July 1, 2022. In addition, the bill will repeal PA 238 of 2020 effective July 1, 2023. HB 5244 was sponsored by Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Hillsdale).
House Bill 6128 (Public Act 140 of 2022) amends Section 85 of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act to specify that certain conditions establishing immunity for employers whose employees were exposed to COVID-19 would not apply to an exposure that occurred after July 1, 2022. In addition, the bill would repeal Section 85 and Section 85a, which defines COVID-19 under the Act, effective July 1, 2023. HB 6128 was sponsored by Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor).
House Bill 6215 (Public Act 139 of 2022) amends the COVID-19 Response and Reopening Liability Assurance Act to specify that the Act, which provides immunity to a person that acts in compliance with certain federal, state and local orders related to COVID-19, would not apply to a claim or cause of action that accrued after July 1, 2022. In addition, the bill would repeal the Act effective July 1, 2023. House Bill 6215 was sponsored by Rep. Graham Filler (R-DeWitt).
Novavax Vaccine Gets FDA Authorization
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted emergency use authorization to Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine July 13. The vaccine is a two-dose series administered three weeks apart and uses a different, older vaccine technology than is used in the messenger RNA vaccines and Johnson & Johnson shot.
Novavax’s vaccine is authorized for people ages 18 and older as a primary series. It may be appealing to those adults who were hesitant to receive another brand of vaccine due to the components or development process.
In a trial of more than 26,000 adults, two doses of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine were more than 90 percent effective at preventing symptomatic disease. For adults 65 and older, effectiveness was more than 78 percent. There were no serious side effects or safety concerns.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will next decide whether it will endorse the vaccine. The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet July 19, though an agenda is not yet available.
The Biden administration recently announced that it had purchased 3.2 million doses of the Novavax vaccine. If the vaccine is recommended by the CDC, it will be made available at no cost to states, jurisdictions, federal pharmacy partners and federally qualified health centers. The MHA will keep members apprised of vaccine availability and ordering processes at the appropriate time. Members with questions may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.
As of June 22, there were 714 adults and 27 children in Michigan with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19, with new cases averaging 1,780 per day the previous week. Over 100 hospitalized adults were being cared for in intensive care units. According to the state’s vaccine tracker, 67.4% of Michigan residents had received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of June 22.
The MHA continues to keep members apprised of pandemic-related developments affecting hospitals through email updates and the MHA Coronavirus webpage. Important updates are outlined below.
Children Ages Six Months Through Five Years Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced June 21 that all Michiganders ages six months and up are now eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. The pediatric vaccine, which received emergency use authorization for this age group from the Food and Drug Administration, was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices June 18. The MHA released a media statement following the CDC recommendation, which makes 500,000 more Michigan children eligible for vaccination.
The MDHHS is recommending providers begin vaccinating children ages six months and older as soon as possible. The Moderna series is two doses given 28 days apart for ages six months through five years. For children six months of age through four years, the Pfizer series is three doses, with the first two given three weeks apart and the third dose administered at least eight weeks after the second dose. For ages five and older, the Pfizer series is two doses given 21 days apart.
House Committee Hears Testimony on One-Size-Fits-All Nurse Staffing Ratios
The Conundrum facing Not-for-Profit Hospital Systems
Healthcare Worker Protections Headed to Governor
Michigan Hospitals Invested $784 Million in Community and Voluntary-based Activities to Improve Health, Well-being of Residents
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital MRI Technologist Receives Speak-up! Award
MHA CEO Report — Registration is Representation