MHA Monday Report Jan. 26, 2026

House Appropriations Committee Hears RHTP Testimony, IMLC Bill Advances

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on federal funding awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), and legislation to add Michigan back into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) advanced during the week of Jan. 19.  The House Appropriations Committee heard …


Legislative Policy Panel Hears Legislative Updates

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 21 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with guest speakers from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and The Cornerstone …


CMS Implements New Online Form for Medicare Advantage Complaints

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently implemented a new online form for providers to submit complaints related to Medicare Advantage plans. A CMS memorandum announced the implementation of the form, which is …


MHA Launches Rural Health Transformation Program Webpage

The MHA has launched a new webpage dedicated to the Rural Health Transformation Program, providing members with a centralized source of information on Michigan’s participation in the program. The webpage includes an overview of …


Updates to Michigan’s Reporter Protocols for Infants Born Exposed to Substances

Michigan has updated its mandated reporter guidance for infants born exposed to substances, establishing distinct reporting requirements for exposure to non-medically prescribed substances and exposure related to prescribed treatment. The updates are intended to clarify …


Webinar Explores Strategies to Strengthen Revenue Integrity

The MHA and MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare Revenue Cycle Solutions will host A Tale of Three Health Systems: Their Mid-Revenue Cycle Insights and Road to Revenue Integrity webinar from 11 to 11:50 …


Hospitals Help: Corewell Health Program Addresses Youth Vaping Prevention, Cessation

Rural schools in Newaygo County, like so many across Michigan, were seeing an increase in the number of students caught vaping. To address this community-wide concern, Corewell Health Gerber Hospital established the Corewell Health Gerber …


Keckley Report

CMS’ 2024 Health Spending Report: Key Insights

“As media attention focused on Minneapolis, Greenland and Venezuela last week, the Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) released its 2024 Health Expenditures report Thursday: the headline was “Health care spending in the US reached $5.3 trillion and increased 7.2% in 2024, similar to growth of 7.4% in 2023, as increased demand for health care influenced this two-year trend. “…

The current environment for the healthcare economy is increasingly hostile to the status quo. Voters think the system is wasteful, needlessly complicated and profitable. Lawmakers think it’s no man’s land for substantive change, defaulting to price transparency, increased competition and state regulation in response. Private employers, who’ve bear the brunt of the system’s ineffectiveness, are timid and reformers are impractical about the role of private capital in the health economy’s financing.

The healthcare economy will be an issue in Campaign 2026 not because aggregate spending increased 7-8% in 2025 per CMS, but because it’s no longer justifiable to a majority of Americans for whom it’s simply not affordable. Regrettably, as noted in Corporate Board Member’s director surveys, only one in five healthcare Boards is doing scenario planning with this possibility in mind.

Paul Keckley, Jan. 18, 2026


New to KnowNews to Know

  • The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council met virtually Jan. 15 to identify ways to support the MHA strategic action plan.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29.
  • The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 6. The cohort meets Feb. 25–27 and May 7–8 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos.

 

MHA Monday Report Jan. 12, 2026

MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy Applications Due Feb. 6

The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 6. The cohort meets Feb. 25-27 and May 7-8 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos. HCLA, in partnership with Executive Core, has been …


MHA Joins Coalition Letter Opposing Federal Redefinition of Professional Degrees

The MHA joined a statewide coalition in signing a letter to Michigan’s congressional delegation expressing concern about a proposed federal change that would remove several health professions, including nursing and behavioral health fields, from the …


Webinar to Highlight Effective Cyber Incident Response

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29. The session will feature speakers from Trinity Health, the Michigan State Cyber …


MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — 2026, A Pivotal Year for Healthcare

As we look toward the year ahead, one thing is clear: healthcare will remain at the forefront of public debate. We’ve seen time and again how healthcare delivery is shaped by policy decisions. …


Keckley Report

Healthcare 2026: Three Realities

“Congress returns to DC this week to debate the merits of extending the advanced premium tax credits that enable coverage for 4 million in a climate of high anxiety about U.S. intervention in Venezuela and heightened tension with Russia and China.

Each sector in healthcare—hospitals, physician services, long-term care, insurers, life science manufacturers, enablers and advisors—is vulnerable. None welcomes unflattering attention and all spend heavily on messaging and advocacy to protect themselves.  All recognize the elephant in the room—large employers that have patiently funded the system’s profitability and value protective regulation that limit disruption. And in all, implementation of AI solutions that lower operating costs and streamline performance is THE immediate priority.

The realities of 2026 for healthcare are foreboding: business as usual is not an option.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 4, 2026


MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage during the week of Jan. 5, covering the increasing rate of flu-related hospitalizations in Michigan. Both Bridge and Michigan Public published stories during the week based on interviews with Jim …

Webinar to Highlight Effective Cyber Incident Response

MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29. The session will feature speakers from Trinity Health, the Michigan State Cyber Command Center and other organizations.

Presenters Adrienne Chase and Sam Khan will walk attendees through a real-world incident, discuss key lessons learned, practical takeaways and the strategies that made the biggest difference when every minute mattered. Michigan State Cyber Command Center leader Tarek Sasy will also provide insights into statewide response efforts and best practices.

Members are encouraged to register for a first-hand look at what happens when a real cyber incident occurs, including proactive steps organizations can take to accelerate recovery and reduce impact. The session is designed for leaders seeking a realistic understanding of incident response, preparation and how proactive defense shapes outcomes when facing real-world attacks.

To learn more about CyberForce|Q, contact Midwest regional sales director, John Kelley. Members interested in solutions offered through the MHA EBP program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

News to Know – Dec. 22, 2025

New to Know

New to Know

  • The MHA will offer the Healthcare Leadership Academy in 2026, with cohorts meeting Feb. 25–27 and May 7–8 at MHA Headquarters in Okemos. In partnership with Executive Core, the program features two immersive modules focused on leadership 360° feedback with personalized executive coaching, advanced business acumen and intimate discussions with senior healthcare leaders; class size is limited. For more information, please contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures on Jan. 29 with speakers from Trinity Health, the Michigan State Cyber Command Center and other organizations. Members are encouraged to register for a first-hand look at what happens when a real cyber incident occurs, including proactive steps organizations can take to accelerate recovery and reduce impact.
  • The MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Dec. 24 – Jan. 1, 2026.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 29 and Jan. 5 and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 12. Member alerts and MHA newsroom articles will continue to be published during that time to provide relevant updates to the MHA membership, as necessary.

 

MHA Keystone Center PSO Hosts Cybersecurity and Regulatory Inspection Safe Table Events

L-R: Max Kwiecien

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) hosted a safe table focused on Adapting Clinical Risk Management for Cybersecurity June 4 at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos. In partnership with MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q, the session provided practical insights into building and strengthening a cybersecurity program through effective risk management and strategic planning. Attendees explored how to identify and address cybersecurity risks, recognize gaps in current systems and incorporate cybersecurity into organizational budgets and strategic planning.

Safe tables are valuable opportunities for hospital team members to come together, share ideas with peers, engage in safety discussions and obtain advice to improve or eliminate harm. These events are unique in offering a legally protected confidential environment for discussing sensitive topics.

In addition, registration is still available for the virtual safe table Regulatory Inspections: A Strategic Approach scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17. In partnership with the Alliance for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, this session will guide participants in preparing for regulatory authority visits. Attendees will explore best practices for protecting and disclosing Patient Safety Work Product. The discussion will also focus on how participants can implement CMS Patient Safety Structural Measures and participate in PSOs using Patient Safety Act protections.

Members with questions may reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center PSO to Host Two Safe Tables in June

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) will host two upcoming safe table events in June focused on cybersecurity risk management and regulatory inspections. These events offer healthcare leaders an opportunity to engage in discussions to improve patient safety and reduce harm.

Adapting Clinical Risk Management for Cybersecurity Safe Table scheduled from 12:30 to 4 p.m. June 4 at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos. In partnership with MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q, this session will provide practical insights into building and strengthening a cybersecurity program through effective risk management and strategic planning. Attendees will explore how to identify and address cybersecurity risks, recognize gaps in current systems and incorporate cybersecurity into organizational budgets and strategic planning.

Regulatory Inspections: A Strategic Approach Virtual Safe Table scheduled 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 17 will be hosted virtually. In partnership with the Alliance for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety, this session will guide participants in preparing for regulatory authority visits. Attendees will explore best practices for protecting and disclosing Patient Safety Work Product. The discussion will also focus on how participants can implement CMS Patient Safety Structural Measures and participate in PSOs using Patient Safety Act protections.

Participants will learn to recognize regulatory risks, prepare for inspections and understand the role of structural measures in patient safety improvement.

Chief quality officers, chief nursing executives, chief medical officers, chief information services officers, directors of quality improvement, patient safety and risk management are encouraged to register for both safe tables.

Nursing and risk management credits are being pursued for both events.

What is a Safe Table?

Safe tables are valuable opportunities for hospital team members to come together, share ideas with peers, engage in safety discussions and obtain advice to improve or eliminate harm. These events are unique in offering a legally protected confidential environment for discussing sensitive topics.

Members with questions may reach out to the MHA Keystone Center.

MHA Keystone Center PSO to Host Cybersecurity Safe Table

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) and MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q, will host a Safe Table event focused on adapting clinical risk management practices for cybersecurity. The session will be held from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 4, at MHA headquarters in Okemos. CyberForce|Q specializes in cybersecurity risk management best practices to hospitals and assists them in implementing increased cybersecurity measures to improve their cybersecurity posture.

The presentation will provide practical insights into building and strengthening a cybersecurity program through effective risk management and strategic planning. The presenter will discuss how to identify, assess and manage cybersecurity risks and key components that should be included in any comprehensive security program. The session will cover how to recognize gaps in existing approaches and provide guidance on how to implement improvement tactics that enhance an organization’s overall posture. The facilitator will also share best practices on how to strategically approach information technology (IT) interventions and align cybersecurity efforts with organizational goals through effective budgeting and long-term planning.

Participants will engage in an interactive incident response tabletop exercise led by the participant success leader at CyberForce|Q. This hands-on exercise will provide a practical understanding of incident response strategies in a cybersecurity context.

Attendees will learn how to:

  • Conduct risk management for cybersecurity.
  • Identify key items to include in their cybersecurity program.
  • Determine cybersecurity gaps and improvement tactics.
  • Facilitate IT Interventions.
  • Include cybersecurity into organizational budgeting and strategic planning.

Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center PSO.

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 Hosts Successful Cybersecurity Tabletop

MHA Events
Attendees and presenters during the Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop at the MHA Headquarters.

The MHA hosted the Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop May 22 with MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) CyberForce|Q. CyberForce|Q representatives Alex Sabin, technical success leader, and Terrance McCoy, participant success engineer, guided participants through three critical phases of a simulated cyber-attack:

  1. Intricacies of social engineering aimed at the IT Help Desk.
  2. Complexities of living-off-the-land attacks.
  3. Challenges of detecting and preventing data exfiltration techniques.

Workshop attendees experienced a sense of challenge during 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.

With over 25 years of experience in providing cybersecurity services, CyberForce|Q has developed and implemented quantifiable programs that assess and execute safety measures for organizations of all sizes, with proven results. 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 May 13, 2024

House Advancing Medicaid Budget Highlights Legislative Work

The Michigan House of Representatives advanced its state fiscal year 2025 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget recommendations during the week of May 5. Importantly, the chamber’s budget recommendation continues vital …


MHA EventsMHA Annual Membership Meeting Registration Deadline Approaching

The registration deadline is May 24 for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 26 through 28 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The MHA Annual Membership Meeting is an opportunity to learn, network and …


Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Preparedness and Resources

News of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1, commonly referred to as bird flu, is spreading across the country with concerns for animal-to-human transmission. The MHA and its partners are monitoring the situation closely with …


Registration Open for Caregiver Engagement Webinar

The MHA Keystone Center is hosting the Identifying and Engaging Family Caregivers Webinar at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 6. The event, facilitated by RUSH University’s Center for Excellence in Aging, is free to MHA members. …



 

MHA EventsMHA and CyberForce|Q In-Person Cybersecurity Workshop

The MHA is partnering with Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q to offer the in-person workshop Enhancing Your Cybersecurity: Tabletop Training and Incident Response Workshop from 9:00 a.m. to noon, May 22 at the MHA headquarters …


MHA EventsPublic Relations Professionals Gather at MHA Communications Retreat

The 2024 MHA Communications Retreat brought together nearly 100 communications, marketing and public relations professionals from MHA-member facilities May 7 to network and learn from peers across the state. Topics on the agenda included artificial …


MHA Hosts Successful Virtual Care Models Webinar

The MHA hosted nearly 100 healthcare staff in patient experience, nursing, quality and human resources roles May 2 during the webinar Virtual Care Models that Improve Engagement and Support Staff. Representatives from Henry Ford Health …


The Keckley Report

Is the Health System the Next Target for Campus Unrest?

“In my 4Q 2023 Keckley Poll, distinctions between the views of the college-age population and older adults about the health system were surprising: though college age adults use the health system less than others, they share a widespread belief it’s flawed and in need of fundamental change. They believe the profit in healthcare is more important than its caring and they’re open to government policies that might rein in its corporatization. …

The U.S. system is an unlikely target for campus unrest today but a likely target tomorrow. College student interaction with the health system is episodic: student health is a backstop for their bouts with depression, substance abuse, STIs, chronic conditions and accidents. Insurance and payment are concerns, and impressions from childhood household circumstances flavor their impressions of how the system operates. But what they’re seeing is key: the most heralded organizations in healthcare are associated with their size, financial success and the personal wealth of their executives. In college circles, Wall Street success seems more important than Main Street authenticity, transparency, environmental consciousness, fairness and humility. Like the majority of Americans, their views about the health system are anecdotal and regretfully negative. …”

Paul Keckley, May 6, 2024


News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner Managed Care Advisory Group, Inc. provided an update on the Visa Mastercard class action settlement.
  • The MHA Keystone Center is partnering with the Michigan Regional Perinatal Quality Collaborative to offer an additional networking opportunity for members attending the Michigan Maternal & Infant Health Summit.
  • In partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the MHA Keystone Center developed a series of online learning modules for infection control and prevention education.

MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) issued a press release May 9 highlighting her introduction of the Stop Nurse Shortages Act that included a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters. The bipartisan bill, introduced …