Tag: Cornerstone Government Affairs

MHA Board of Trustees Considers Election Impact and Association Priorities

Member News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA Board of Trustees began its Nov. 13 meeting with a review of the results from the federal election and its potential impact on key association priorities, led by Carlos Jackson and Mike Goodman with Washington D.C.-based Cornerstone Government Affairs.

The board also received a state election update and discussed the association’s advocacy strategy during lame duck, which is expected to be active due to the shift in party leadership next year from Democratic to Republican control in the Michigan House of Representatives. Opposition to government-mandated staffing ratios, preservation of Michigan’s medical liability law and protecting the 340B drug pricing program remain strong priorities during the remainder of the current session and for the year ahead.

The board reviewed and discussed the MHA 2024-2025 Strategic Action Plan, which sets the association’s priorities for the year and highlights areas needing long-term focus from the MHA and the hospital community. The plan is organized into five key pillars this year:

  • Workforce support
  • Protecting access
  • Support for mental and behavioral health
  • Creating healthy communities
  • Strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy

Board member David Miller, MD, president, University of Michigan Health, executive vice dean for Clinical Affairs, UM Medical School and professor of Urology, University of Michigan Health, provided a safety story that illustrated the important role leaders play in setting an example and in modeling a culture of safety within an organization.

The board concluded with board task force reports, MHA Keystone Center and MHA Service Corporation reports, regional hospital council reports, an AHA report and an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

Members with questions about the actions of the MHA Board of Trustees may contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

First Legislative Policy Panel Meeting of New Program Year

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel held their first meeting of the MHA program year at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center Oct. 30 to develop recommendations on legislative issues impacting Michigan hospitals.

Chad Tuttle, SVP, clinical shared services, Corewell Health, chairs the panel this year with Amanda Shelast, president, Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson, serving as vice chair. Carlos Jackson with Washington D.C.-based Cornerstone Government Affairs provided a federal update, covering what is at stake in the 2024 election and post-election lame-duck healthcare priorities. MHA CEO Brian Peters also reviewed the MHA 2024-25 strategic action plan.

The Panel took two action items on cybersecurity and pediatric long-term care.

The Panel adopted a position of neutrality on Senate Bills (SB) 888 – 892. The Panel directed the MHA to continue conversations with legislators regarding new requirements related to cybersecurity to recognize and support hospitals as victims of these attacks. SBs 888 – 892 require entities that have access to Michigan resident’s personal information to maintain security procedures for the protection of that information. It also establishes processes for notifying the state and impacted residents of data breaches.

The Panel also heard an update on House Bill (HB) 5974 related to the creation of prescribed pediatric extended care facilities. The Panel asked several questions about the purpose and effectiveness of the legislation. Reintroduction of HB 5974 is likely in the 2025-26 legislative session, giving the Panel another opportunity to consider the concept as introduced, as well as alternatives.

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

Legislative Policy Panel Recommends Policy Positions

Member News
Adnan Munkarah, Chair of the MHA Legislative Policy Panel leads March 13 Meeting on Zoom.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 13 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting began with an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters on the MHA strategic action plan. Peters reviewed progress the association has made on key priorities, paying particular attention to those items related to advocacy and policy. Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs followed Peters to provide a federal update, covering the Change Healthcare cyberattack response and government funding.

Regarding action items, the panel made two recommendations. The first is for the MHA to support House Bills (HBs) 5184 and 5185, which would remove the examination requirement for social work licensure, remove post-degree experience for bachelor’s-level and master’s-level social workers and streamline social worker provider types. The panel also recommends the MHA support HB 4361, which would allow a living organ donor to claim a one-time, non-refundable tax credit to recognize costs associated with organ donation.

The panel received additional updates on state legislative activities regarding Medicaid funding, end-of-life care and the healthcare workforce.

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

Senate Health Policy Chair Presents to Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
Sen. Kevin Hertel, chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee, presented virtually to the Legislative Policy Panel. 

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met Jan. 24 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-Saint Clair Shores). Hertel is the chair of the Senate Health Policy Committee and discussed several relevant healthcare issues. He was proud of his committee’s work in passing Senate Bill 482 out of the chamber in 2023, which would lift the state’s 90-day disposal requirement for sharps containers. The bill has been referred to the House Health Policy Committee. Hertel also mentioned several issues he expects to see attention in 2024, including activity around a state-based health insurance exchange marketplace, efforts to address staffing shortages and work around behavioral health.

Regarding action items, the panel made two recommendations. The first is for the MHA to support House Bill 5295, which would license certified anesthesiologist assistants in Michigan. The panel also recommends the MHA continue to engage with stakeholders regarding the creation of a licensure pathway for foreign trained medical professionals.

The panel received a federal update from Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs, as well as state legislative updates regarding the healthcare workforce, state budget and Medicaid funding.

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