Tag: Gongwer

The MHA conducted a virtual press conference Dec. 6 to discuss the economic and staffing challenges impacting hospitals across the state to generate awareness with lawmakers of these issues and the potential impact on access to timely, high-quality healthcare for Michiganders.

The event occurred while children’s hospitals continue to operate near capacity levels as they continue to care for a surge of children suffering from respiratory illnesses amid staffing shortages. Speakers also referenced how the loss of 1,700 staffed adult inpatient hospital beds across the state has led to longer wait times in the emergency department, reduced services and more difficulty transferring patients. Lastly, the point was made that no other industry is prevented from responding to inflationary pressures and growing expenses to the degree that healthcare is.

Speakers included:

• T. Anthony Denton, senior vice president and chief operating officer, University of Michigan Health System.
• JJ Hodshire, president and chief executive officer, Hillsdale Hospital.
• Dan Hurley, chief executive officer, Michigan Association of State Universities.
• Brian Peters, chief executive officer, Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
• Susan Smith, executive director, Economic Development Partnership of Hillsdale County.
• Rudolph P. Valentini, chief medical officer at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, group chief medical officer at Detroit Medical Center.

Over a dozen media outlets from across the state joined the call, with stories published from Bridge Michigan, The Detroit News, Gongwer, MIRS, Michigan Business Network, MLive, SBGTV and WXYZ.

Following the press conference, a press release was also distributed to statewide media.

Members with questions related to media should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.