The MHA Board of Trustees’ Feb. 4 meeting featured a discussion with former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is now a senior policy advisor with DC-based Liberty Partners Group, a bipartisan strategic consulting firm. Stabenow discussed the growing influence in Washington of groups opposed to hospitals and the challenge this poses to maintaining access to critical care and services in local communities.
She urged MHA members to continue sharing their stories about the vital services hospitals provide and the specific impacts patients and communities may face if funding is reduced. Stabenow also emphasized the importance of holding lawmakers accountable for votes to cut healthcare funding and recognizing those who support their local hospitals.
Board members also received a presentation on the MHA’s communications and marketing strategy supporting the program year’s Strategic Action Plan.
In recognition of the growing partnership between healthcare organizations and academic institutions to support workforce development, the board approved forwarding an amendment to the bylaws to create a new associate (Type 3) membership category to the MHA House of Delegates in June. The new category is specifically for Michigan-based academic institutions and is intended to strengthen collaboration with colleges, universities and training programs while supporting educational opportunities, career growth and leadership development.
The board also approved four new Type 3 members to the association: Blue & Co, Hema-Tec, Medical Service Company and Miller Canfield, as well as four new individual physician members.
Questions about the MHA Board of Trustees meetings should go to Amy Barkholz at the MHA.