MHA Monday Report March 23, 2026

Mandatory Overtime, Assisted Outpatient Treatment Legislation Advances

Several key healthcare bills, including mandatory nurse overtime, assisted outpatient treatment, Certificate of Need and site-neutral payment policies, saw action in the legislature during the week of March 16. The Senate Regulatory Affairs …


Michigan Legislature Announces Commitment to Pass the IMLC Before March 28 Deadline

Following negotiations finalized March 19, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) announced plans to pass legislation authorizing Michigan’s continued participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC). The MHA thanks state lawmakers for their commitment …


MHA Shares Latest Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Analysis

The MHA recently updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on February 2026 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …


The MHA Annual Membership Meeting Offers Learning and Networking

The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 24-26 on Mackinac Island. The event provides an opportunity to learn, network and celebrate …


Federal Court Pauses Vaccine Policy Changes

A U.S. District Court judge issued a ruling March 16 in American Academy of Pediatrics v. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that places a hold on several changes to federal vaccine policy made over the past …


Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours Highlight 211 Data

The MHA will host the next Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours session on April 29 from noon to 12:45 p.m., featuring Michigan 211. The session, Understanding Regional Needs: A Data Driven Look at Michigan’s …


Applications Open for Governance Fellowship, Current Class Convenes

The MHA is now accepting applications for the Excellence in Governance Fellowship which will be held from October 2026 through June 2027. The comprehensive program is designed to support hospital and health system trustees in strengthening governance …


The State of Healthcare Leadership: Risks, Reality and Readiness

MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare and B.E. Smith recently released the Healthcare Leadership Trends for 2026 Report, based on a national survey of more than 700 healthcare executives across hospitals and health systems. The report …


Hospitals Help Michigan Students Pursue Healthcare Careers

Healthcare remains the state’s largest employer of direct, private-sector jobs. With this in mind, hospitals are finding innovative ways to give Michigan students the opportunity to gain real-world exposure to clinical and non-clinical healthcare roles. …


Keckley Report

Health Literacy: Out of Sight, Out of Mind in the Healthcare Industry

“Of industries monitored in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ industry classifications (NAICS), healthcare is unique: its business model is based on business to business (B2B) transactions between suppliers (drugs, devices, technology, hospitals, ancillary facilities), intermediaries (GPOs, PBMs, insurers, brokers) and retail distributors (physicians, pharmacists, therapists, et al) in which end-users (consumers) have limited influence and unpredictable financial responsibility. The acceptance of low health literacy is institutionalized in state and federal regulatory oversight, labor rules and scope of practice determinations and funding by private investors, public appropriations, employer contributions and out-of-pocket payments by consumers. Its acceptance is inconsistent with aims to make it more accessible, affordable and effective. …

For too long, health literacy has been relegated to discussions among public health officials. Its neglect is harmful to every organization in healthcare and to its long-term sustainability. Boards should weigh in, and policymakers should act. Health literacy can ill-afford being out of sight, out-of mind in the U.S. health system and in the society we serve.”

Paul Keckley, March 15, 2026

Excellence in Governance Fellowship Offers Meaningful Dialogue Among Trustees and Experts

EIGFApplications are now being accepted for the 2025-2026 the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship. Launched more than 20 years ago, is a rigorous and comprehensive program delivering tools and knowledge in effective governance, improving quality and patient safety, building collaborative medical staff partnerships, and strengthening relationships with the community and stakeholders.

Between October 2025 and June 2026, fellows will meet three times in-person at the MHA headquarters in Okemos and through virtual sessions. More than 100 trustees have graduated from this one-of-a-kind offering and all offer high praise, one graduate stating “The fellowship changed how I operated and functioned as a leader and as an individual.”

Hospital and health system governing board members who enroll in the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship will engage in dialogue with healthcare experts to gain skills to effectively consider strategies and make decisions and share each other’s experiences with other trustees.

Questions about the fellowship can be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.

Applications Open for 2025-2026 Excellence in Governance Fellowship

EIGFApplications for the 2025-2026 Excellence in Governance Fellowship are now open for healthcare board members seeking innovative and effective ways to lead their organizations as hospitals and health systems navigate financial strain and labor challenges.

Launched more than 20 years ago, the fellowship is a rigorous and comprehensive program delivering tools and knowledge in four strategic areas:

  1. Principles of effective governance
  2. Improving quality and patient safety
  3. Building collaborative medical staff partnerships
  4. Building strong relationships with the community and stakeholders.

Held from October 2025 through June 2026, the sessions are led by experts in governance with a healthcare background.

With the busy schedules of board members in mind, fellows will meet three times a year in-person at the MHA headquarters in Okemos and through virtual sessions. Graduates of the fellowship have high praise for the fellowship, as demonstrated by video testimonials. Members looking to further explore this one-of-a-kind offering can contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Deadline Approaching for MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship

Applications for the 2024 – 2025 MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship, held from October 2024 through June 2025, are due June 28.

Governing board members enrolled in the fellowship will learn how to frame problems to determine what questions the organization should ask of itself to prepare for the future and to develop pragmatic and practical ways to implement board actions that enhance organizational effectiveness. Content focuses on strategic areas such as governance excellence, safety and quality, organizational vitality and leadership development. The classes provide a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and explore challenges with healthcare experts and other trustees.

Fellows meet in person four times a year at the MHA headquarters in Okemos and participate in virtual sessions held in the months when fellows are not meeting in person.

To further explore this one-of-a-kind offering, members may contact Erin Steward at the MHA.