Tag: Detroit Free Press

Media Recap: Pediatric RSV Surge

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage during the weeks of Nov. 21 and 28 on the capacity status of hospital pediatric units amid the surge of hospitalized pediatric patients with respiratory illnesses driven by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The Detroit Free Press published an article Nov. 23 on the status of hospitals throughout the state caring for a large number of children and requests made by hospitals to add additional licensed beds. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, is quoted in the story on how staffing challenges continue to hamper hospitals, even for those with declining pediatric patient census.

“It’s worth noting that even where hospitalizations have receded, many of our members continue to face severe space and staffing challenges,” said Appel

Additional stories were published by The Detroit News, The Center Square and Chief Healthcare Executive.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Media Recap: Hospital Financial Viability

MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare, Issues in Healthcare
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage during the week of Nov. 14 on financial and staffing challenges impacting hospitals in Michigan and the potential for further state funding support.

The Detroit Free Press published an article Nov. 14 that reviewed the factors influencing declining financial performance, including lower patient volume, increased supply costs, higher workforce expenses and stagnant reimbursement. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, is quoted throughout the story. Appel expressed appreciation for the one-time $225 million state grant for the recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers and discussed the increased rates for staffing agencies.

“We are immensely grateful for that,” said Appel. “But the $225 million (is) a one-time payment that really only offsets a small amount of what we’re paying in 2022 … and none of it is designed to help us in 2023.”

Additional stories were published by Crain’s Detroit Business and The Detroit News.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Pediatric Hospital Capacity & Medical Respite

MHA In The News
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage on the continued surge of RSV cases across Michigan’s pediatric hospitals that is stressing hospital capacity during the week of Nov. 6. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, also contributed to a story on the importance of medical respite with Michigan’s vulnerable population who need continued care after discharge from the hospital.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Friday, Nov. 11

Thursday, Nov. 10

Monday, Nov. 7

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: RSV Straining Pediatric Hospitals

Member News, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage on the surge of RSV cases across Michigan’s pediatric hospitals during the week of Oct. 31. The coverage included several comments provided to news outlets and the distribution of a press release Nov. 4 to statewide media.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Sunday, Nov. 6

Friday, Nov. 4

Wednesday, Nov. 2

Monday, Oct. 31

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan Report

Member News, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network

The MHA responded to several media requests the weeks of Aug. 28 and Sept. 5 which focused on the public release of the Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report and other workforce issues.

Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network
Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Friday, Sept. 9

Wednesday, Sept. 7

Tuesday, Sept. 6

Sunday, Sept. 4

Sunday, August 28

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Healthcare Workforce Sustainability

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA CEO Brian Peters Appears on Michigan Business Beat

The MHA responded to several media requests the weeks of Aug. 15 and Aug. 22 which focused on different aspects of healthcare workforce sustainability, ranging from emergency department wait times to efforts to address the talent pipeline.

MHA CEO Brian Peters Appears on Michigan Business Beat
MHA CEO Brian Peters appears on Michigan Business Beat.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Tuesday, August 23

Monday, August 22

Thursday, August 18

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Media Recap: SCOTUS Dobbs Decision, State Budget and Rural Hospital Challenges

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage on a variety of topics during the weeks of June 27 and July 4. Areas of focus included the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, the passage of the fiscal year 2023 state budget and challenges facing small and rural hospitals.

The MHA shared a statement with media following the SCOTUS decision that repealed Roe v. Wade. Outlets that included comment from the MHA in their stories included the Detroit Free Press, Bridge and Gongwer.

The passage of the state budget the morning of July 1 by the Michigan Legislature was celebrated by MHA CEO Brian Peters in a media statement that outlined the existing MHA budget priorities that continue to be protected as well as significant new funding to support behavioral health capacity and the healthcare workforce. MLive, MiBiz, The Center Square and Gongwer carried portions of the statement.

Renewed attention was brought to financial challenges faced by small and rural, particularly independent, hospitals due to a legislative request for funding from Sturgis Hospital as the organization pursues the possibility of converting to the new rural emergency hospital designation through the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services. MiBiz and Bridge published articles that include reaction from the MHA following assistance the association made in the legislative ask that secured $11 million for Sturgis Hospital.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Price Transparency, Workforce Challenges and Contrast Media Shortages

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters

Brian PetersThe 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.

Media Recap: Workforce Sustainability & Strategic Partnership Legislation

Top Issues - Healthcare, Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
Laura Appel

The MHA received media coverage since March 25 on hospital and nursing workforce challenges amplified by the pandemic, and legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature that would eliminate the need for a second public vote to sell or lease a hospital that was previously transferred from a public authority to a private, nonprofit corporation.

The Detroit Free Press published March 25 a story that reviews the many factors that are influencing healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in the area of nursing. Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, is quoted in the article discussing the magnitude of workforce shortages for hospitals.

“We’ve been talking about a nursing shortage, we’ve been talking about tech shortages, whether it’s pharmacy tech or things like that. We didn’t really know what shortage was until this experience,” said Appel.

The story also include results from a recent MHA member survey that indicates more than 40,000 jobs are currently vacant at Michigan hospitals statewide.

MiBiz published March 27 an article on legislation introduced in the state House and Senate that can benefit small hospitals in Michigan that were originally formed by public authorities should they opt to pursue a merger. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, spoke with MiBiz about the unique challenges small, independent hospitals experience and the potential benefit of strategic partnerships.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about access to care, and oftentimes that’s what you get with strategic partnerships,” said Carlson. “You really preserve the access to care that is so important. You keep your facility in your community, serving the residents of your community.”

Headline Roundup: Week of Nov. 15 for COVID-19 in Michigan

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
covid cell

The MHA has been actively fielding and responding to media requests related to the growth in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, hospital capacity and healthcare workforce sustainability.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include statements from the MHA.

Sunday, Nov. 21

Thursday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 17

Tuesday, Nov. 16

Monday, Nov. 15

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.