News to Know – March 27, 2023

  • Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference. The all-day event will take place April 13 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. The free event will provide participants hands-on learning about how safe, early and continuous mobility can help achieve better patient outcomes. Members with questions may contact the MHA Keystone Center.
  • The MHA is issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The grant program will issue funds to entities across the state of Michigan for either the expansion of existing programs or development of new ones. Copies of the grant RFP materials and the online application are also available on the MHA Behavioral Health webpage. Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.
  • The MHA Health Foundation will host a four-part webinar series MHA Board Governance Education that outlines the trends affecting current and future strategic plans, techniques for effectively communicating with stakeholders on key issues and ways to build trust, drive engagement and develop relationships. The webinars are scheduled for April 19, May 9 and May 23 from noon to 1 p.m. EST. Members with questions about registration should contact Erica Leyko at MHA.
  • The MHA will host an in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos from 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option available as well. The forum is structured as a round table with human resources and MHA leaders moderating a discussion among attendees around the Great Resignation of the healthcare workforce and ideas and solutions to combat workforce challenges. Members with questions about membership or registration should contact Brenda Carr at the MHA.
  • The Root Cause Coalition (TRCC) is accepting requests for proposals to present at the 8th Annual National Summit on the Social Determinants of Health Dec. 3-5 in Kansas City. Proposals are being accepted for breakout sessions and poster presentations. Organizations with proven, measurable solutions that address health equity and collectively chart an intentional, meaningful and measurable path for progress are encouraged to submit. Members with questions can contact Lori Bennett at the TRCC.

MHA Webinar Explores PACE Program Partnerships

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 co-morbidities, frequent hospital admissions and readmissions, and expensive care needs that span acute, post-acute and long-term care. Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) programs are a model of care that provides community-based care to seniors regardless of whether they have primary, acute or long-term care needs. PACE combines the elements of a patient-centered medical home and an accountable care organization.

The MHA webinar Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE): An Alternative to Traditional Nursing Home Care will explore the value proposition for PACE partnerships, outline the philosophy, services provided, structure and financing of PACE programs and much more.

The webinar is scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. May 23, 2023 and MHA members can register at no cost.

Members with questions should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report March 20, 2023

MHA Monday Report

State Medicaid Office Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened March 15 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on Medicaid redetermination from Brian …


MHA Provides Testimony Supporting State Psychiatric Care and Healthy Michigan Plan

During the week of March 13, the MHA provided testimony to both the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and the House Health Policy Committee. Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government …


RFP Available for Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Grant

The MHA is issuing a request for proposal for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the …


MHA Keystone Center PSO Annual Meeting May 3

The healthcare workforce is at higher risk of harm due to violence than other professional fields.  Recent increases in workplace violence represent a major barrier to both staff and patient safety, prompting the need for …


Registration Open for MHA Human Resources Member Forum

The MHA will host an in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA headquarters in Okemos from 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option available as well. The forum is structured as …


Changes to Medicaid Dental Coverage Effective April 1

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will implement a new service delivery model for adult dental benefits effective April 1, 2023. The following groups will be eligible: Medicaid beneficiaries ages 21 years and …


Changes to Telemedicine Policy Post-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will rescind certain COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities beginning May 12, 2023, with the conclusion of the federal health public health emergency. Policy MMP 23-10 outlines flexibilities that …


Michigan Dispensing Law Changes

Michigan state law will be updated beginning March 29, 2023, to allow pharmacists to dispense a non-controlled prescription written by a prescriber licensed in another state or province of Canada. Public Act 80 of 2022 …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Covers Board Development and Behavioral Health

One of the strongest predictors of health system performance is the quality of governance that shapes its response in an unstable environment. The March edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Biden Budget: Key Signals to Voters and an Important Implications for the Health Industry

“Last Thursday, the Biden administration released its proposed FY24 federal budget which is certain to spark political posturing by partisans on all sides and long-term speculation by political pundits and economists. At a high level, it includes… …

In total, healthcare spending represents 30% of the total outflow of federal funds in this budget compared to 29% in ’22 (Medicare 12%, Veteran’s Health 2% and Other Line Items 15%)—almost 50% more than Social Security and more than 100% above defense spending. …”

Paul Keckley, March 12, 2023


News to Know


MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of March 13 regarding conversations around workforce funding and current challenges amid the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Governance Webinar Series Helps Trustees Advocate on Important Issues

Every board member must have a common understanding of critical issues, the implications for the hospital or health system and how to share the impact with government and community leaders. Without support, it is difficult for leadership to fulfill the organization’s mission.

The MHA Health Foundation governance webinar series MHA Board Governance Education is a four-part series that outlines the trends affecting current and future strategic plans, techniques for effectively communicating with stakeholders on key issues and ways to build trust, drive engagement and develop relationships.

Sessions are led by Kimberly Russel, former hospital CEO and governance consultant, John Karasinski, senior director, communications, MHA, and Dan Wolf, Munson Healthcare trustee.

The webinars are scheduled for April 19, May 9 and May 23 from noon to 1 p.m. EST.

The series is generously sponsored by HPS, an associate member of the MHA, and free of charge to MHA members.

Members with questions about registration should contact Erica Leyko at MHA.

Deadline Approaching for Early Sponsorship Commitment

The deadline to be featured as a sponsor of the MHA Annual Membership Meeting brochure, which is shared with hospital and health system CEOs, is March 17. The MHA’s sponsors are vital to helping conference participants emerge with innovative ideas and solutions to achieve hospital and health system goals. In turn, sponsors gain new customers, discover fresh leads and develop deeper relationships.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are outlined in the 2023 MHA Corporate Sponsorship & Advertising brochure. Organizations that secure sponsorship will be featured in the MHA Annual Membership Meeting event brochure, mailed out in early April.

Members with questions about sponsorship or the Annual Membership Meeting should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

Nominations Being Accepted for 2023 Advancing Safe Care Award

MHA Advancing Safe Care Award

MHA Advancing Safe Care AwardTo recognize Michigan hospitals that are tackling issues daily to make care safer and more dependable, the MHA is accepting nominations for its annual Advancing Safe Care Award. Eligible nominees include teams from hospitals across the state dedicated to transparency regarding the quality of care provided to their patients and providing unmatched care to different patient populations. Nominations for the 2023 award will be accepted through March 24.

The award honors teams within MHA-member hospitals who are committed to providing quality care to diverse socioeconomic populations, promoting transparency within organizations, leading the charge for quality improvement and achieving better outcomes due to strong culture of safety. The award does not limit the number of team members who can be included in the nomination.

Judging for this award is based on four criteria:

  • Reducing health disparities among specific patient populations.
  • Supporting a learning culture committed to trust, feedback and higher problem-solving.
  • Evidence of transparency among care teams, with patients and families and with community stakeholders.
  • Improving safety by creating high degrees of psychological and physical safety.

For more information on nominating a team for the Advancing Safe Care Award, contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

Nominations Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Award

The annual presentation of the MHA Healthcare Leadership Award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within individual facilities and in their communities. Nominations for exceptional healthcare trustees, executives, physicians, nurses or other leaders for the award will be accepted through March 24.

Nominations will be evaluated on a 100-point system for their organizational and leadership/culture contributions. To be eligible, a nominee must represent an MHA-member organization in good standing and have been actively involved with the healthcare organization within the last three years. Award winners for 2023 will be announced during the MHA Annual Membership Meeting in June.

Members with questions should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award Accepting Nominations

Hospitals taking part in local efforts to enrich the overall welfare of their communities are encouraged to nominate those programs for the 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award.

First presented in 1990, the annual award honors MHA-member healthcare organizations that demonstrate community benefit by improving the health and well-being of their communities through collaborative health, economic or social initiatives.

Nominations for the 2023 Ludwig Community Benefit Award are due by Feb. 17. The MHA Health Foundation’s Community Health Improvement Fund will provide a $5,000 cash award to the winning program to assist its efforts to further benefit its community.

Members with questions should contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Just as hospitals and health systems have changed their strategies to adapt to the new environment, MHA education programming and sponsorships have changed to deliver more value. The MHA team are designing in-person events tied to the priorities of the 2022 – 2023 MHA Strategic Action Plan with the goal to allow for more targeted interaction between healthcare leaders and MHA partners.

One tradition that the MHA is seeking support for is the MHA Annual Membership meeting. To learn more about various opportunities to sponsor the 2023 Annual Meeting on Mackinac Island, please review the MHA Corporate Sponsorship and Advertising brochure. Sponsorship opportunities are available through May 5.

The MHA Field Engagement team is ready to work with organizations to help achieve their goals and connect with Michigan’s healthcare leaders. Those wishing to learn more or reserve sponsorship of the MHA Annual Membership Meeting may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

Nominations Open for 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The valuable role of Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is unmistakable. Brave personnel throughout these facilities have worked for three years to care for the staggering number of patients through their doors.

Even during these difficult times, hospitals and health systems continue to provide services that go beyond the care provided within their walls. To celebrate the best of the community benefit programs hospitals provide, the MHA is accepting nominations for its 2023 Ludwig Community Benefit Award until 5 p.m. Feb. 17.

The award is named after Patric E. Ludwig, former MHA president and Bronson Healthcare Group president, and honors Michigan hospitals that demonstrate outstanding community benefit by improving the health and well-being of their communities through collaborative health, economic or social initiatives.

To assist the winning programs in their efforts to improve the health of their communities, the MHA Health Foundation’s Community Health Improvement Fund presents a $5,000 cash prize in conjunction with the award. The fund was established in 2004 to support innovative community-based health improvement programs led by Michigan hospitals.

Members seeking more information may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.