The MHA received media coverage since July 15 from Crain’s Detroit Business on new investments for behavioral health funding and the healthcare workforce in the fiscal year 2023 state budget.
“Staffing shortages are impacting Michigan hospitals throughout the state, particularly in the areas of nursing,” said Peters. “This plan will help us get more highly-skilled professionals into the field quickly and increase access to nursing education in more communities across the state.”
Crain’s also published an editorial July 22 focusing on the investments being made to improve mental health treatment, particularly among children and teens. The editorial also included a quote from Peters from an op-ed Crain’s published in February from Peters.
“While we do have a small number of outstanding facilities dedicated entirely to mental health care services, and acute-care hospitals have dedicated resources and units to these services, it is simply not enough,” said Peters.
The MHA received media coverage on the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for babies and toddlers, and staffing solutions being implemented by hospitals and health systems to address workforce challenges.
The Detroit News published a story June 18 following the approval of COVID-19 vaccines for children under five years old by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The story includes portions of a statement from MHA CEO Brian Peters on the importance of the decision.
“Widespread vaccination of children will go a long way towards reducing the number of pediatric patients hospitalized in Michigan’s hospitals with COVID-19, which over the last two years has led to over 8,000 pediatric hospitalizations in the state,” said Peters.
Crain’s Detroit Business also published an article June 20 looking at healthcare workforce sustainability in Michigan and the tactics being implemented by health systems throughout the state. Included is a quote from Peters on the demographic and talent pipeline issues that have contributed to workforce challenges.
“The reality is we knew even before the pandemic that we would have many people leaving the field,” said Peters. “Demographics aren’t on our side, and we’re simply not training enough nurses, doctors, pharmacists, whatever to replace all those retiring in the coming years.”
The state Legislature took initial action on several bills that the MHA is watching during the week of May 23. In the House, testimony was taken on bills to make changes to lead testing requirements for children and a bill that would create a new state-based exchange for healthcare insurance. In the Senate ..
The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened May 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from former State House Speaker Jase Bolger on the Michigan …
The MHA, the Michigan Community College Association, Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities and the Michigan Association of State Universities released June 1 a collaborative proposal to invest state funds in expanding access to bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) degree programs to the state’s …
Applications are due June 30 for the 2022-2023 class of the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship, which will be held from October 2022 through June 2023. Board members and executives who want to hear more about the fellowship experience can watch a video of graduates’ testimonials explaining …
The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities. On this episode, Karen Cheeseman, CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System …
Suicide safety continues to be a priority for accrediting organizations such as the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission, requiring many providers to evaluate various policies and processes. They include how to keep suicidal patients safe when care is needed outside of …
The MHA hosted a CEO Rural Round Table event May 25 where healthcare leaders safely gathered at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa to collaborate on ways to foster growth and make immediate and long-term improvements in rural communities. …
MHA Senior Vice President of Advocacy Adam Carlson is listed in the 50 Names to Know in Lobbying guide for 2022 published by Crain’s Detroit Business. The Crain’s list is a selection of professionals representing trade groups, major corporations, law firms and multiclient firms. …
Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.18 million in April, an increase of 23,000 beneficiaries since January. The April MA enrollment is spread across 46 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, with approximately 56 percent of Michigan’s 2.1 million …
“Mental illness involves mood, stress, substance abuse and anxiety disorders and impacts children and adults. Mental illnesses are more common than cancer, diabetes, or heart disease in the U.S. but its been treated as a second-class citizen in the U.S. health system for decades.”
The MHA will host a webinar from 11 a.m. to noon ET June 8 with ParaRev to provide an update on the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) Lab Test Private Payor Rate Reporting – CMS Update on PAMA Reporting Requirements.
MHA Endorsed Business Partner SUNRx will host a 340B Regulatory Brief from 2 to 3 p.m. ET June 14 to provide valuable insights for consideration in the management of participants’ 340B pharmacy strategies. The webinar will cover the current regulatory environment and implications moving forward.
MHA CEO Brian Peters spoke with Michael Patrick Shiels of Michigan’s Big Show June 3 as part of the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2022 Mackinac Policy Conference.
MHA Senior Vice President of Advocacy Adam Carlson is listed in the 50 Names to Know in Lobbying guide for 2022 published by Crain’s Detroit Business. The Crain’s list is a selection of professionals representing trade groups, major corporations, law firms and multiclient firms.
In his current role at the MHA, Carlson leads the Advocacy division of the MHA that advocates on behalf of hospital interests in the state Legislature. Included in that work is educating lawmakers and department officials on potential implications of proposed rules and legislation, while also monitoring and establishing proposals to improve the yearly state budget.
Carlson joined the MHA in 2018 as a senior director of government affairs. His responsibilities within the MHA’s Advocacy division have continued to expand, particularly after the October 2021 departure of former MHA Executive Vice President for Advocacy and Public Affairs Chris Mitchell to become the CEO of the Iowa Hospital Association. Crain’s describes Adam as “a key player in any change to laws affecting hospitals, health systems, insurance and other aspects of the multibillion-dollar [healthcare] industry in Michigan.”
Carlson earned a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in political science and honors economics from the University of Notre Dame.
The MHA responded to several media requests the week of May 16 on topics including the RAND 4.0 Hospital Price Transparency Study, hospital workforce challenges and the shortage of contrast media from GE Healthcare.
MiBiz and Crain’s Detroit Business published stories on the latest RAND report that includes multiple quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters discussing the flaws associated with the study, including the use of Medicare as a reimbursement benchmark and the limited data set. The MiBiz story also cites recent findings from the American Hospital Association and Kaufman Hall on significantly increasing hospital expenses.
“So it’s not a comprehensive set. It’s looking very specifically at Medicare reimbursement rates, which we know in Michigan and other states as well does not cover the true cost of care,” said Peters to MiBiz. “Hospitals do everything they possibly can just to break even, at best, and still lose money on Medicare.”
Michigan Radio aired a feature on May 16 following an interview with Peters on workforce challenges impacting hospitals.
“We are losing employees to McDonald’s for a job that pays better and is less stressful,” said Peters. “And we are incredibly limited in our ability to compete with rising wages in other industries.”
Crain’s Detroit Business published an additional article May 18 on the topic that cited the Michigan Radio story and quotes Peters. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, also spoke with WZZM-TV Channel 13 for a story on workforce challenges that aired May 19.
The Detroit Free Press and Fox 2 Detroit also reached out earlier in the week on the reported shortage of contrast media from GE Healthcare. A general statement was provided to reflect the varying impacts from the shortage on hospitals throughout the state.
The current surge of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has continued its downward trend. The seven-day average of hospitalizations in the U.S. as of Feb. 22 was 53,987, down from 146,534 Jan. 20. Michigan hospitalizations for confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 …
Important pharmacy benefit manager legislation was signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer the week of Feb. 21 and the Michigan Legislature took up several pieces of legislation that impact hospitals. The Senate Health Policy and Human …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Conditions of Participation recently made significant changes to regulatory standards of telemedicine because of the COVID-19 pandemic. These standards, along with 1135 telemedicine waivers and new tag numbers for critical access hospitals will be …
The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 21 on efforts to amend Michigan’s auto no-fault law and from Crain’s Detroit Business advocating for state funding support for midsize vital hospitals and behavioral health. …
“This week, all eyes will be on Ukraine, Europe’s poorest country. Since becoming an independent state in 1991 after separating from the Soviet Union, Ukraine has failed to invest in its people, its economy and its health system. As the potential for conflict rises, the preparedness of the Ukrainian health system will garner global attention, especially if armed combat results in civilian casualties.”
The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Oct. 25 that focused on hospital price transparency and the on-going staffing crisis.
The Detroit News published Oct. 24 a story on the staffing shortage impacting EMS workers and touched on the staffing crisis impacting hospitals. MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the story discussing the lack of availability of transport for patients to lower levels of care, resulting in increased cost and strain to the healthcare system.
“They are in crisis mode,” said Peters. “These are not only front-line clinical staff who are in short supply, but also non-clinical staff. … We are struggling on both counts.”
“In addition, there is ambiguity within the final rule that has left hospitals to interpret the level and detail of pricing information that should be provided to consumers,” said the statement published by Crain’s. “Hospitals and health systems are working diligently to comply with federal policies in their release of information.”
Members with questions on COVID-19 efforts and resources should contact Ruthanne Sudderth, and any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.
Laura Appel, senior vice president, health policy & innovation, MHA, participated in a Crain’s Detroit Business virtual roundtable to discuss how collaboration between employers and managed care plans can control rising healthcare costs.
The story includes perspectives from a variety of individuals in the healthcare and insurance industries. Topics that Appel addresses include value-based care, behavioral health integration and healthcare overutilization.
“A lot of people want to say, ‘mental health care and physical health care.’ And I try to stay away from that because, last I checked, my brain is part of my body,” said Appel. “If I could wave a magic wand, it would be to have employers demand integration. We really need a demand that says, ‘I want you to take care of my person in a way that recognizes those two things are coming together.’”
MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted in stories published Aug. 8 by MLive and Crain’s Detroit Business discussing the impacts of physician burnout due to COVID-19 and pediatric dentistry challenges.
Hospital staffing has been a challenge since the pandemic began, particularly during the three COVID-19 surges that occurred in Michigan. The MLive story focuses on hospital staff who have transitioned away from COVID-19 care or the acute care hospital setting entirely due to burnout.
“A contributing factor to the staffing shortage prior to the pandemic was the rate of stress and burnout in the healthcare setting and the pandemic has exacerbated the issue,” said Peters. “It is apparent that there are certain jobs, especially those dealing with direct patient care, where the burnout factor is especially pronounced.
“We have heard numerous anecdotal reports from our membership that the pandemic has led many healthcare workers nearing retirement age to leave the workforce. This has created a real crunch in staffing and was really felt during the last surge in Michigan.”
The Crain’s Detroit Business story evaluates the challenges associated with finding operating room time for pediatric dental procedures, particularly for those children with special needs.
“Currently, operating room access is limited throughout the state, and difficult decisions have to be made on which types of procedures can be performed,” said Peters. “Hospitals have an obligation to prioritize the patients under the care of their employed physicians and surgeons. In addition, hospitals throughout Michigan continue to operate at high capacity while caring for high volumes of non-COVID-19 patients, which we believe is a consequence of delayed care from the pandemic. The postponement of nonemergency medical procedures at the beginning of the pandemic is one specific example that has led to further demand for operating room space.”
MHA CEO Brian Peters issued a statement June 17 expressing the role the COVID-19 vaccine has had in allowing the lifting of public health orders June 22 that required masks and limited gathering capacities.
“The key factor that has allowed us to get to this point is the COVID-19 vaccine,” said Peters. “The drop in cases and hospitalizations is a direct result of the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing transmission.”
Laura Appel, senior vice president, health policy & innovation, MHA, participated in a Crain’s Detroit Business virtual roundtable to discuss how collaboration between employers and managed care plans can control rising healthcare costs.
MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted in stories published Aug. 8 by MLive and Crain’s Detroit Business discussing the impacts of physician burnout due to COVID-19 and pediatric dentistry challenges.