Tag: communications

Registration Open for 2025 Communications Retreat

Member News

Registration is open for the 2025 MHA Communications Retreat from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing.

The daylong event offers hospital communicators a chance to connect with peers across the state and participate in sessions that provide valuable skills and insights for both emerging and experienced professionals.

The event will explore topics including crisis communications, reputation management and professional development for communications leaders. Additionally, leaders at the MHA will provide an update on state and federal healthcare priorities.

This event is designed specifically for professionals working in public relations, communications, media relations, marketing and community relations within Michigan hospitals. Members of these professions are encouraged to register and participate.

The registration fee is $35 per person. Breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided. Please register by Sept. 19 to attend the retreat.

A room block at the Henry Center is available for members who need accommodations the night of Sept. 30. Please use code MHH to receive the discounted room block rate.

Members with questions regarding registration should contact Kennedy Walters at the MHA. Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

Updated Hospital Medicaid Communications Toolkit Available

Member News

The MHA recently updated a toolkit of communications resources to support hospitals in advocating against potential Medicaid funding cuts in their local communities.

The toolkit includes:

Michigan hospitals are encouraged to use these tools to express the importance of Medicaid and the value it provides to the entire community. Members are also reminded to share the MHA’s Medicaid action alert within their organizations to share the value of the program with Michigan’s Congressional delegation.

In addition, the American Hospital Association has several resources available, including an infographic that demonstrates the national impact of potential Medicaid cuts, as well as fact sheets on Medicaid provider taxes and Medicaid hospital payment basics.

Efforts at the local level will complement MHA activities in both Washington, D.C. and statewide to publicly raise the awareness of the importance of Medicaid.

Members with questions regarding Medicaid communication materials may contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Hospital Medicaid Communications Toolkit Available

Member News

The MHA recently released a toolkit of communications resources to support hospitals in advocating against potential Medicaid funding cuts in their local communities.

The toolkit includes:

Michigan hospitals are encouraged to use these tools to express the importance of Medicaid and the value it provides to the entire community. Members are also reminded to share the MHA’s Medicaid action alert within their organizations to share the value of the program with Michigan’s Congressional delegation.

Efforts at the local level will complement MHA activities in both Washington, D.C. and statewide to publicly raise the awareness of the importance of Medicaid.

Members with questions regarding Medicaid communication materials may contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Final Reminder: Register Now for the 2024 Communications Retreat

Member News
MHA Events

MHA EventsIt is not too late to register for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. Members are encouraged to register now to secure one of the few remaining seats.

This year’s retreat offers a chance to network, learn from peers across the state and hear from experts for a deep dive into valuable skills for seasoned and new professionals.

The lineup of presenters and topics for the 2024 Communications Retreat includes:

  • Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, will be joined by Megan Brown, chief marketing and communications officer, Munson Healthcare, to discuss communications strategies to address the healthcare workforce and the importance of engaging with government relations and advocacy efforts.
  • Joshua Wilda, regional chief digital information officer, University of Michigan Health-West and Tony Lambert, chief technology officer, TechSmith, will discuss AI trends in healthcare and hospitals, and how it’s impacting communications and marketing.
  • A panel of communications will share internal communications strategies hospitals can implement to celebrate their workforce and share tactics they’ve used to address employee morale, support recruiting and improve brand perception.
    • Sue Tetzlaff, co-founder, Capstone Leadership Solutions
    • Lauren Zakalik, director, public & media relations strategy, Henry Ford Health
    • Hannan Deep, director of strategic communications operations, Henry Ford Health
    • Emily R. Sexton, communications coordinator, Holland Hospital,
  • A collection of speakers will present on how they are using communications tools to assist in reacting to the behavioral health crisis.
    • Kara Gavin, research and policy media relations manager, Michigan Medicine
    • Jim Rose, director of marketing, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
    • Dallas Rau, executive director, Great Lakes Bay Region Mental Health Partnership
    • Tera Szeliga, director of marketing and communications/institute for leaders, Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance.

The registration fee is $35 per person. Breakfast, refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Members with questions regarding registration should contact Kennedy Walters at the MHA. Questions regarding the retreat should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report April 15, 2024

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingMichigan Legislature Introduces Behavioral Health Bills

The Michigan Legislature introduced several bills recently related to behavioral health. The bills are a result of MHA advocacy activity that supports the behavioral health section of the MHA Strategic Action Plan. Each of the …

MHA Board Uplifts Funding for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA Board of Trustees continued work on advancement of the 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan at its April 10 meeting, with focus on its four pillars: workforce support and innovation, viability, improved behavioral healthcare and …

$10 Million Grant Available for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA and the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health recently secured a new state grant to support birthing hospitals. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is providing $10 million for hospitals …

MHA Publishes Guardianship Guide for Providers and Patients

The MHA published a new resource for hospital and healthcare teams to support patients and families navigating the guardianship process. The Guide for Michigan’s Adult Guardianship Process addresses commonly asked …

CMS Releases FY 25 Hospital IPPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for fiscal year (FY) 2025. The rule proposes to: Increase …

MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series Navigates Challenges

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 …

MDHHS Announces Medicaid Rebid Contract Awardees

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced April 8 Medicaid program contract awardees for the contract that begins Oct. 1, 2024. Nine health plans were awarded contracts to cover Medicaid services for …

Addressing Disparities in Maternal Care: A Conversation During Black Maternal Health Week

In observance of Black Maternal Health Week this April 11-17, Carlie Austin, maternal infant health policy specialist, MHA, and Sarah Scranton, vice president, safety & quality and executive director, MHA Keystone Center, share the importance …

Register Today for 2024 Communications Retreat

There is still time to register for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. Current registration includes representation …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyCMS Medicare Advantage Final Rules: Why 2025 will be Significantly Different for Plans, Enrollees and Providers

“Last Monday, CMS announced the base payment rate it will pay Medicare Advantage plans in 2025: plans will see an average 3.7%, or $16 billion, increase in payments once risk scores are factored in but a cut to base payments of 0.16% since 2025 risk scores were expected to be 3.86%. That’s the math. …

These rules are a big deal. CMS appears poised to challenge the industry’s formidable strengths and force changes.

Together, these rules will disrupt day to day operations in every MA plan, intensify friction with providers over network design, coverage and reimbursement negotiations and confuse enrollees who might have to pay more or change plans. …”

Paul Keckley, April 8, 2024

News to Know

Members are encouraged to register for the 2024 MHA Graduate Medical Education Capitol Day, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center by April 19.

MHA in the News

Michigan Advance “Micheconomy” columnist Rick Haglund published a column April 7 that focuses on the large role education and healthcare have in Michigan’s economy. It specifically references the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s annual Economic …