MHA Monday Report April 1, 2024

MHA Monday Report

Washington DC capitol buildingMHA Comments on SUSTAIN 340B Discussion

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 …


Behavioral Health Loan Repayment Program Available

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 …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Importance of Children’s Health

The March edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), outlines the array of challenges children are facing and the responsibility to help children reach their potential. Hospital strategic plans …


MHA Podcast Explores Important Role Hospitals Play in Public Health

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast during National Public Health Week to explore how hospitals are engaged in public health. Featured guests include Julie Yaroch, D.O., president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital and senior vice …


MHA Rounds graphic with Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Cybersecurity Takes Center Stage

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.

Health & Hospital Association Elects 2023-2024 Officers and Board Members

2023-24 MHA Board Chair Shannon Striebich.
2023-24 MHA Board Chair Shannon Striebich.

Members of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) elected new officers and appointed board members during the association’s Annual Membership Meeting June 29. Officers of the 2023-2024 MHA Board of Trustees include Shannon Striebich, chair; Julie Yaroch, DO, chair-elect; and Bill Manns, treasurer. In addition, Brian Peters was reappointed to serve an indefinite term of office as CEO of the association. The board directs the greater Lansing-based association’s statewide representation of hospitals and healthcare providers.

Striebich, ministry president and senior vice president, Operations, Trinity Health Michigan, will serve as chair during the association’s 2023-2024 program year beginning July 1. The terms of service of Yaroch, president, ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital, Adrian; and Manns, president and CEO, Bronson Healthcare Group, Kalamazoo, will also span the 2023-2024 program year. T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief ESG officer, University of Michigan Health/Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, will serve as immediate past chair.

Brian Peters
MHA CEO Brian Peters.

“On behalf of the full MHA membership, I want to thank Tony Denton for his terrific leadership of the MHA Board through a year of challenges that included the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency, workforce shortages and more,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We are grateful for Tony’s service. We are also excited to welcome Shannon Striebich as our incoming chair. There is no questioning Shannon’s commitment to advancing the health of individuals and communities throughout our state.”

Lydia Watson, MD, president and CEO, MyMichigan Health, Midland, was appointed as trustee at-large for a three-year term.

Reappointed for three-year terms on the 2023-2024 MHA Board of Trustees as trustees at-large were Denton, Manns, Gar Atchison, chief executive officer, UP Health System – Marquette, and market president, UP Health System; Mark Eastburg, PhD, president and CEO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids; and Ed Ness, president and CEO, Munson Healthcare, Traverse City.

Continuing to serve their current terms of service as trustees at-large are Douglas Apple, MD, MS, FHM, chief clinical officer, Ascension Michigan, Warren, and interim president & CEO, Ascension Genesys Hospital, Grand Blanc; Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare, Saginaw; Karen Cheeseman, president and CEO, Mackinac Straits Health System, St. Ignace; Tina Freese Decker, president and CEO, Corewell Health, Grand Rapids and Southfield; Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president and CEO, Hillsdale Hospital; Gregory R. Lane, executive vice president and chief administrative officer, McLaren Health Care, Grand Blanc; Brittany Lavis, CEO, Detroit Medical Center; Hunter Nostrant, president and CEO, Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center, Newberry; Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids; and Bob Riney, president and CEO, Henry Ford Health, Detroit.

MHA Monday Report May 15, 2023

MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingHarmful Nurse Staffing Legislation Introduced in Michigan Legislature

Harmful nurse staffing legislation was introduced May 11 in the Michigan Legislature that would mandate nurse staffing ratios, require public disclosure of the ratios and restrict mandatory overtime for nurses. The bill package is pushed by the Michigan Nurses Association and was ….


Behavioral Health ED Boarding Data Available

Behavioral health emergency department (ED) boarding data the MHA has been collecting on a weekly basis from acute care hospitals across Michigan since March 2023 is now available on the Health Data webpage of the …


Annual Meeting iconMHA Annual Membership Meeting Includes Ways to Support Michigan Hospitals

The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 28 through 30 at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The annual meeting will feature an outstanding lineup of speakers, the family …


DEA Issues Temporary Extension of COVID-19 Telemedicine Flexibilities for Prescription of Controlled Medications

After delaying the final rule for ending COVID-19 telehealth prescribing rules, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) has issued a temporary rule to allow the following: The full set of telemedicine flexibilities regarding prescription of controlled …


Upcoming Webinars on Medicare FFS Quality-based Programs

The MHA is partnering with DataGen to host two free webinars focused on Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) quality-based programs, which can reduce hospital inpatient FFS payments by up to 6%, depending upon hospital performance. The webinars …


Webinar Outlines Practices to Re-engage Patients and Families in Care

Fractured social contracts in today’s world have changed the healthcare landscape and culture. There is a convergence of patient consumerism and digital transformation happening, and those who focus on patient-centered care and person and family …


MHA Keystone Center PSO Safe Table – Health IT & Risk Safety

The MHA Keystone Center PSO is hosting a Health IT & Risk Safety Safe Table from 12:30 to 3 p.m. June 14. The event will be held at Goshen Health, located at 200 High Park …


Direct Care and Behavioral Health Workforce Assessment: Regional Feedback Sessions

Public Sector Consultants and Health Management Associates are partnering with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to gather the perspectives of people impacted by the direct care worker and behavioral health workforce …


MHA Webinar Focuses on Building Trust and Relationships for Trustees

When stakeholders gather to discuss community vitality, the health and wellbeing of the community is not only about access to safe, affordable healthcare, but about non-medical health influences that have an impact on the community. …


MDHHS Releases Beginner Guide for Doula Providers

Michigan Medicaid began reimbursing doula services provided to individuals covered by or eligible for Medicaid as of Jan. 1, 2023. Doula providers are required to be on the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services …


The Keckley ReportPaul Keckley

The End of the Pandemic Health Emergency is Ill-timed and Short-sighted: The Impact will further Destabilize the Health Industry

“The national spotlight this week will be on the debt ceiling stand-off in Congress, the end of Title 42 that enables immigrants’ legal access to the U.S., the April CPI report from the Department of Labor and the aftermath of the nation’s 199th mass shooting this year in Allen TX.

The official end of the Pandemic Health Emergency (PHE) Thursday will also be noted but its impact on the health industry will be immediate and under-estimated. …

In the weeks ahead as the debt ceiling is debated, the Federal FY 2024 budget finalized and campaign 2024 launches, the societal value of the entire health system and speculation about its preparedness for the next pandemic will be top of mind. …“

Paul Keckley, May 8, 2023


News to Know

  • Upon the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Health Resources & Services Administration will end a 2020 policy allowing hospitals to use 340B drugs for eligible patients in new hospital locations, even if they have not yet appeared on a filed Medicare cost report.
  • The MHA is hosting the webinar MHA Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): An Alternative to Traditional Nursing Home care from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 23.
  • Completed 2022 occupational mix surveys must be submitted by acute care hospitals paid under the Medicare prospective payment system to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30, 2023.

Brian PetersMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of May 8 regarding nurse staffing legislation, healthcare worker shortages, the ending of the COVID-19 public health emergency and more. A joint media statement was published May 11 …

MHA Monday Report May 8, 2023

MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingState Legislation Introduced to Address Violence Against Healthcare Workers, Strengthen Healthy Michigan Plan and Expand Organ Donor Registration

Legislation to increase the penalties for assaulting healthcare employees and volunteers was introduced in the state House of Representatives during the week of May 1. Additional legislation was introduced to remove unnecessary provisions of the …


Michigan’s Largest Private-sector Employer Remains Healthcare

The Partnership for Michigan’s Health reports healthcare directly employed nearly 568,000 Michigan residents in 2021, demonstrating that healthcare remains the largest private-sector employer in the state despite continued staffing losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. …


Webinar Reveals New Tool to Improve Person and Family Engagement

The MHA is hosting a webinar from 8:30 to 10 a.m. May 24 to review the newly released MHA Person & Family Engagement Roadmap, which includes recommended policies to re-engage patients and caregivers and …


Final Medicaid Bulletin on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued a final Medicaid Policy Bulletin May 1 with revisions to the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Systems Policy. In response to the proposed policy issued April 1, …


speak upE.W. Sparrow Hospital Nurse Receives Q2 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center presented Cheryl Kay, RN, at E.W. Sparrow Hospital with the quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, which celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of …


DEA Delays Ending COVID-19 Telehealth Prescribing Rules

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is delaying draft rules that proposed stricter telehealth limits on providers prescribing controlled substances, like buprenorphine for opioid use disorder or Adderall for ADHD. The DEA will temporarily extend …


MHA Webinar Reviews PACE Programs

With the closure of nursing homes and long-term care facilities, hospitals and health systems need options to care for seniors. Dually eligible frail seniors are one of the most complex cohorts with multiple comorbidities, frequent …


MHA Podcast Explores How Michigan Leaders Can Collaborate to Address Gaps in Behavioral Health

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 episode 29, State Representative …


2023 Ludwig Nominee: Priority Health, National Fitness Campaign Partner to Offer Free Fitness Courts

Since 1990, the MHA has honored member healthcare organizations working to enrich the overall welfare of their local communities through the Ludwig Community Benefit Award. This year, the MHA is excited to showcase all award nominees, …


MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Attracting Healthcare Talent

Talent acquisition is always top of mind for all business leaders. Demand for workers now outpaces supply throughout the U.S., but particularly here in Michigan due to our demographic realities, including an aging baby-boom generation entering retirement in significant numbers. …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Tit for Tat Game in Healthcare produces No Winners

“Tit for Tat battles in healthcare are nothing new. Last week, they were on full display. …

Most of the food fights in healthcare like last week’s revolve around each sector’s unique response to the three challenges above. That’s why they exist: to protect the interests of their members and advocate on their behalf. All believe their mission and vision is essential to the greater good and the moral high ground theirs. Some are imperiled more than others: not for profit, rural and safety net hospitals, long-term care operators, direct caregivers and public health programs at the top of this list.

Educating lawmakers is necessary but what’s needed is serious, objective forward-looking definition of the U.S. health system’s future. The tit for tat game will not solve anything. That’s where we are. …“

Paul Keckley, May 1, 2023


News to Know

  • National Hospital Week 2023 is May 7-13.
  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services created a series of short videos to help providers and community partners navigate policies impacted by the ending of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.
  • Registration remains open for the 2023 MHA Annual Membership Meeting, scheduled June 28 through 30 at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
  • Completed 2022 occupational mix surveys must be submitted by acute care hospitals paid under the Medicare prospective payment system to the Medicare Administrative Contractor by June 30, 2023.

MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with WLNS.MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of May 1 on the economic impact of healthcare in Michigan and planned state legislation that would require nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in hospitals. Crain’s Grand Rapids Business published …