Tag: Gongwer

Executive Budget Recommendation News Coverage

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian Peters

A MHA media statement published Feb. 5 was included in stories by Michigan news outlets covering the fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation.

The statement, attributed to MHA CEO Brian Peters, was mentioned by WLNS-TV and Gongwer. The WLNS article includes the reactions from numerous leaders, while the Gongwer story focuses specifically on the budget recommendation for the Department of Health and Human Services.

“This budget presented by the Whitmer administration today maintains stability for health care providers across Michigan,” said Peters. “We appreciate the continued protection of funding pools that preserve access to care for Michiganders, whether they require obstetrical services, care at rural and critical access hospitals or coverage from the Healthy Michigan Plan and Michigan’s Medicaid health plans. We are also encouraged to see continued attention towards issues that impact Michigan’s talent pipeline and remove barriers towards pursuing health care careers.”

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Capitol News Outlets Cover 340B Legislation

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

MHA CEO Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 9 on Senate Bill 1179, which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services through the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program. The bill was reported out of the Senate Oversight Committee Dec. 11 and passed the full Senate Dec. 13.

Lansing political outlets MIRS and Gongwer both published stories Dec. 11 that included portions of a media statement issued by the MHA after SB 1179 moved out of committee. Additional stories were published by MIRS Dec. 12, Gongwer Dec. 13 and 340B Report Dec. 13 following the passage of SB 1179 by the full Senate.

“Michigan’s senators stood up to the out-of-state pharmaceutical interest groups and we applaud them for their efforts,” said Peters. “We now call on the Michigan House of Representatives to follow the Senate’s lead and get this bill over the finish line. Michiganders can’t afford to continue to have their healthcare services attacked to pad PhRMA balance sheets.

Outside of this week’s activity on 340B, the Becker’s Healthcare Podcast published an episode Dec. 12 with Peters that was recorded at the Becker’s Healthcare 12th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable. Peters discusses the evolving challenges and opportunities in healthcare, including cybersecurity, the role of AI, workforce issues and the importance of community partnerships to address health equity.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

340B and Mackinac Policy Conference Media Coverage

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage the week of June 3 that includes coverage on the 340B drug pricing program and from the Mackinac Policy Conference on the healthcare workforce.

Michigan Advance published an article June 6 recapping the Michigan House Insurance and Financial Services Committee meeting June 5 on House Bill 5350, which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services through the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program. The article specifically references an infographic submitted to the committee by the MHA, which describes the value of the 340B program and how it supports vulnerable patients and the providers that care for them.

“[MHA] says the program allows hospitals flexibility to invest savings back into local healthcare needs through programs such as mobile health clinics, financial assistance programs for low-income patients, supporting high-cost lines of service needed within a community, or providing access to low-cost drugs.”

In addition, the article references the additional MHA-members who testified in support of the bill. MIRS and Gongwer also published stories on the testimony.

Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA.
Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA.

Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, MHA, also appeared in two podcast episodes published the week of June 3 that were recorded at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference.

Sudderth joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan’s A Healthier Michigan podcast to speak about the long-standing partnership between BCBSM and the MHA on a variety of issues, including the history of the MHA Keystone Center and addressing healthcare workforce needs.

Sudderth appeared on The Michigan Opportunity as well, a podcast produced by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to discuss the healthcare workforce. Also appearing in the episode is Gov. Whitmer.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

New Hospital Workforce Data Receives Media Attention

Member News, MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian PetersThe MHA published a press release May 29 that shares new Michigan hospital workforce data, including information on the number of employees hired in 2023, the number of vacancies in 2024 and updated economic impact information. Crain’s Grand Rapids, Becker’s Hospital Review and Gongwer all published stories covering the data release.

MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in each story and conducted an interview with Crain’s.

“We have certainly closed the gap in a very significant way, but I’d be the first to tell you that more work needs to be done,” said Peters. “We still have a very significant number of vacancies that we know we need to fill if we’re going to be able to provide access to everyone in our communities. So, the work continues, but it’s encouraging to see what’s happened over the last 12 months.”

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.