Registration Open for MHA Virtual Member Forum on Cybersecurity and Cyberattack Response

The MHA, in conjunction with its statewide Health Information Technology Strategy Committee, will host the virtual member forum Cybersecurity and Cyberattack Response from 9:30 to 11 a.m. May 9.

During the webinar, leaders from six healthcare systems leading cyberattack incident response will explore lessons learned about detection, containment, eradication and recovery, and crisis communication. Chief executive information, security, financial, medical and nurse officers, health information, financial and data leaders, and directors of communications and media relations are encouraged to register.

The MHA and Michigan hospitals are committed to strengthening cybersecurity by collaborating with policy leaders and stakeholders to secure resources and dismantle criminal enterprises that disrupt the care continuum.

The MHA members-only forum is being offered free of charge. Questions about MHA membership or registration should be directed to Brenda Carr at the MHA.

MHA and Partners Host Cybersecurity Tabletop for UP Healthcare Leaders

Attendees during the Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop Oct. 14 in Escanaba, MI with MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) CyberForce|Q and the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition.

The MHA hosted the Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop Oct. 14 in Escanaba, MI with MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) CyberForce|Q and the Region 8 Healthcare Coalition as part of the ongoing effort to strengthen cybersecurity.

CyberForce|Q representatives Alex Sabin, technical success leader, and Terrance McCoy, participant success engineer, guided participants through a simulated cybersecurity incident impacting a hospital system. The scenario was designed to test and refine an organization’s Incident Response Plan (IRP) while addressing the unique challenges of securing sensitive healthcare environments.

“We are grateful to work with CyberForce|Q on the tabletop exercises and healthcare security operations center (HSOC),” said Mike Nowak, chief information security officer at the MHA. ”Beyond strengthening the MHA’s security, CyberForce|Q has demonstrated a strong commitment to collaborating on offerings that benefit our members. The tabletop exercises provide practical experience and tools – and you can network and talk to people that are dealing with similar issues. I encourage all healthcare organizations to increase their security posture in light of recent cyber-attacks.”

Workshop attendees experienced a sense of challenge during the tabletop exercises, identifying potential unnoticed gaps in an Incident Response Plan. They engaged in hands-on group activities, providing a tangible understanding of potential cyber-attacks and enabling collaborative discussions within teams to refine decision-making processes and procedures. Additionally, they gained a profound understanding of the critical significance of roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols in effective incident response.

Learn more about the MHA’s partnership with CyberForce|Q from John Kelley, regional sales director – Midwest. Members with questions should contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report April 1, 2024

MHA Monday Report

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The MHA submitted comments to U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) on proposed changes to the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The discussion draft …


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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the upcoming Behavioral Health Loan Repayment program, offering up to $300,000 per award to repay educational debt. This program is offered as part of …


National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey: Response Requested

The CDC issued a National Blood Collection and Utilization Survey invitation to all U.S. blood collection centers and acute care hospitals that perform a minimum of 100 inpatient surgical procedures annually. The survey aims …


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So began a letter dated March 10 from Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), referencing what is emerging as one of the most extensive and impactful cyberattacks in U.S. history. …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyIs Private Equity the Solution or the Problem in Healthcare?

“Of late, private equity investors in healthcare services have faced intense criticism that their business practices have compromised patient safety and raised costs for consumers. March 5, the FTC, DOJ and HHS announced the launch of an investigation into the inner workings of PE in healthcare. It comes on the heels of U.S. Senate investigations in their Finance, HELP and Budget Committees to explore legislative levers they might pull to address their growing concerns about affordability, competition and accountability in the industry. …

PE is part of healthcare’s solution to its poorly structured, perpetually inadequate and mal-distributed funding. But creating a level playing field through meaningful regulatory reform is necessary first. …”

Paul Keckley, March 25, 2024


News to Know

  • Registration is now open 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.
  • Registration is open for the 2024 Michigan Maternal Infant Health Summit scheduled June 17-18 at the Lansing Center.