Erin Steward - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Monday Report March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023March 17, 2023 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

The 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

The MHA will host The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and Preparing for the New Regulatory Environment webinar from 4 to 5 p.m. March 30.
Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference.

MHA 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.

Applications Open for Excellence in Governance Fellowship, Prepares Trustees to Lead

March 9, 2023 Member News

The MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship is now available to healthcare board members looking for innovative, effective ways to lead their organizations as hospitals and health systems navigate financial strain and labor challenges. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2023-2024 Excellence in Governance Fellowship, which will be held from October 2023 through June 2024.

Launched 20 years ago, the fellowship is a rigorous and comprehensive program delivering tools and knowledge in four strategic areas: principles of effective governance, improving quality and patient safety, building collaborative medical staff partnerships and building strong relationships with the community and stakeholders. The sessions are led by experts in governance with a healthcare background.

With the busy schedules of board members in mind, fellows can expect to meet four times a year, either in-person at the MHA headquarters in Okemos or through virtual sessions. Graduates of the fellowship have high praise for the fellowship, as demonstrated by a video of graduates’ testimonials.

Members looking to further explore this one-of-a-kind offering can contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Multitiered Governance Structures

December 15, 2022December 16, 2022 Member News

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The December issue includes an article noting the uptick in hospital and health system mergers and affiliations and defining expectations for board members in a multitiered governance system. The article addresses roles of executives and trustees, using an authority matrix to outline key governance functions and the implications to governance as the system grows and becomes more complex. The issue also includes a whitepaper containing key strategies and practical tools for orienting new board members.

This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Webinar Outlines CRNA’s Role in Various Clinical Settings

December 15, 2022December 19, 2022 Member News

Michigan legislation modernized the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in 2022, eliminating the state requirement that a CRNA must work under direct physician supervision. CRNAs enhance the ability to deliver care in a multitude of scenarios, particularly in rural areas where anesthesia services may be limited.

The webinar “CRNA’s Role in the Future of Clinical Operations” on Jan. 12, 2023 will showcase the use of CRNAs in three hospitals which differ in size, location and operation. Panelists include Steve Barnett, president and CEO of McKenzie Health System, Robert Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan & Southeast Regions and Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president of Hillsdale Hospital. They will review the CRNA duties and responsibilities in their settings and tactics to build support and operationalize CRNA practice. MHA staff will outline the CRNA’s scope of practice law and answer questions about reimbursement.

The webinar is cosponsored by the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) and is open to MHA and MANA members. Chief executives, presidents, compliance officers, nurses and financial, operational and medical team members are encouraged to register.

Questions can be directed to Erin Steward.

Expanded Scope of Practice Creates Opportunities

November 30, 2022November 30, 2022 Member News

To optimize cost savings, patient experience and staffing, hospitals and health systems are using multidisciplinary teams working to deliver care. Fortunately, new legislation expanded certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) abilities to practice without direct physician supervision.

The CRNA’s Role in the Future of Clinical Operations webinar on Jan. 12, 2023 will include panelists Steve Barnett, president and CEO of McKenzie Health System, Robert Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan & Southeast Regions and Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president of Hillsdale Hospital. They will review how their organizations have increased CRNA duties and responsibilities and tactics to build support and operationalize CRNA practice. MHA staff will outline advocacy efforts to expand CRNA’s scope of practice and answer questions about reimbursement.

The webinar is cosponsored by the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists (MANA) and is open to MHA and MANA members. Chief executives and presidents, financial and operational team members, medical, nurses and compliance officers are encouraged to register.

Members with questions should contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Webinar Outlines CRNA’s Role in the Future of Clinical Operations

November 18, 2022November 18, 2022 Member News

Michigan legislation in 2022 modernized the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), eliminating the state requirement that a CRNA must work under direct physician supervision. Hospitals can now choose the anesthesia care model that best fits their location, staffing and resources to offer safe and effective patient care.

The CRNA’s Role in the Future of Clinical Operations webinar on Jan. 12, 2023 will include panelists Steve Barnett, president and CEO of McKenzie Health System, Robert Casalou, president and CEO of Trinity Health Michigan & Southeast Regions and Jeremiah J. Hodshire, president of Hillsdale Hospital. They will review the CRNA duties and responsibilities in their settings and tactics to build support and operationalize CRNA practice. MHA staff will outline advocacy efforts to expand CRNA’s scope of practice and answer questions about reimbursement.

Members with questions should contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Nov. 7, 2022

November 7, 2022November 4, 2022 Monday Report

MHA Board of Trustees Advances Strategic Action Plan, Affirms Policy Panel Legislative Recommendations

The MHA Board of Trustees began their Nov. 2 meeting with a review of key communication strategies to assist hospitals and health systems to “tell their stories” about the unprecedented financial and workforce challenges they currently face and how they are adapting to meet the critical healthcare and economic development needs of their communities …

Healthcare Community Urged to Vote in Nov. 8 General Election

The MHA encourages its staff, members and other stakeholders in the healthcare community to vote in the state’s general election Nov. 8.- Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. …

Parents Urged to Take Preventive Measures as Pediatric Beds Fill Up

Michigan children’s hospitals and pediatric healthcare leaders are raising awareness about a pediatric hospital bed shortage and urging the public to help prevent respiratory illnesses, which are rapidly spreading in the form of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza …

CMS Releases Final Rule to Update OPPS

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2023 …

Provider Enrollment Requirements Reinstated Effective Dec. 1, 2022

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued MMP 22-38 COVID-19 Response: Termination of Bulletin MSA 20-28, which reinstates provider enrollment requirements …

CMS Releases Final to Update Medicare PPS Effective 2023

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service home health (HH) prospective payment system (PPS) effective Jan. 1, 2023 …

MHA Supports Increased Access to Affordable Post-Secondary Education

The MHA, along with stakeholders across diverse fields, supported record state investment in Michigan’s future workforce. On October 11th, the Governor signed Public Act 212 of 2022 establishing the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and applications starting with students in the high school class of 2023 will now be eligible for increased state financial aid …

CE Credits Available for Unionization and Legal Guidelines Webinar

The webinar Dispelling Misinformation About Unionization and Legal Guidelines 8:30 – 10 a.m. ET Nov. 11 has been approved by HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) for 1.5 hours …

MHA CEO Report — Your Vote Matters

At the MHA, we often say that politics is not a spectator sport. It requires continual engagement and relationship building so that when you are in a crisis and need assistance, you have trusted friends you can turn to …

The Keckley Report

The Three Blind Spots in Hospital Strategic Plans

“For 40 years, I have facilitated Board Retreats for hospitals, health systems, insurance plans and medical groups. At no time has the level of uncertainty about the future for hospitals been as intense nor the importance of a forward-looking strategic vision and planning been as necessary as now. The issues are complicated: lag indicators about demand, clinical innovations, reimbursement, costs et al are a foreboding backdrop for these discussions. And three issues have surfaced as blind spots in the environmental assessments and deliberations preceding the plan …”

Paul Keckley, Oct 31, 2022

News to Know

Many Michigan hospitals are underway with their Michigan Harvest Gathering campaign which runs through Nov. 18. Online donations by hospital employees and community members to the Michigan Harvest Gathering program can be made through the Food Bank Council of Michigan’s website …

MHA in the News

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 …

CE Credits Available for Unionization and Legal Guidelines Webinar

November 3, 2022 Uncategorized

The webinar Dispelling Misinformation About Unionization and Legal Guidelines 8:30 – 10 a.m. ET Nov. 11 has been approved by HR Certification Institute® (HRCI®) for 1.5 hours. The webinar will outline:

Understanding how recent dynamics, including the COVID-19 crisis and worker shortages, have increased healthcare industry’s vulnerability to union organizing.
Exploring current trends and tactics unions use to recruit healthcare employees.
Identifying strategies that boost employee engagement.
How to properly identify and respond to protected concerted activity.
How to navigate evolving rules from the National Relations Labor Board, including those applicable to social media.
Tips and guidelines for leaders in response to a union or other protected concerted activity.

Sponsored by the MHA Service Corporation Unemployment Compensation Program and the Miller Johnson law firm, the webinar is offered free of charge. Human resource executives and professionals, chief nurse executives and legal counsel are encouraged to register.

Details about the HR Certification Institute® credits are on the registration page. Members with questions should contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 31, 2022

October 31, 2022October 28, 2022 Monday Report

MDHHS Announces Plans to Establish Stroke and Heart Attack Systems of Care

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced Oct. 28 they are reorganizing to create systems of care for stroke and acute heart attack emergencies. The Bureau of EMS, Trauma & Preparedness within the MDHHS …

Two Days Remain to Register for the Nov. 2 Virtual Trustee Forum

Registration is being accepted for the MHA virtual Trustee Member Forum Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The forum will outline ways the association and members are supporting critical strategic pillars and allow trustees to discuss how governing boards can support workforce development and wellbeing, health equity, behavioral health and financial stability …

Webinar Prepares for The Joint Commission and CMS Health Equity Requirements

Recently, The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced their commitment in driving the next decade of health equity for people who are underserved. The commitment to advancing health equity …

MDHHS Releases Proposed Policy on Medicaid Rates for Dental Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a proposed policy to increase Medicaid payment rates to $2,300 for dental services …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Physician Alignment and Consumerism Strategies

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The October issue includes an article outlining the critical need for alignment of leadership …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Ballot Proposals

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races and ballot questions for Election 2022. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they need to make informed decisions on Election Day, including candidates’ views and background …

The Keckley Report

Price Transparency in Healthcare: Will It Matter?

“Last week, Turquoise Health released its first Price Transparency Impact Report which aims to track hospital and health insurer compliance with the Hospital Price Transparency Rule (January 2021) and the CMS Transparency in Coverage Rule (July 1, 2022). Both require specified disclosures and financial penalties for non-compliance…

In July 2018, I wrote: ”Arguing price transparency in healthcare is a misguided effort is like arguing against clean air and healthy eating: it’s senseless.” It’s still true. Making the case that price transparency has a long way to go based on current offerings and utilization is legitimate.

But the price transparency movement is gaining momentum in healthcare: though it still lacks widespread impact on spending today, it soon will.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 24, 2022

News to Know

Early in person voting by absentee ballot at a clerk’s office remains available. Absentee ballots can be dropped off at a designated drop box or local clerk’s office between now and 8 p.m. Nov. 8.