Nominations for the 2024 Advancing Safe Care Award close on April 26. The award recognizes Michigan hospitals for improving care safety and reliability, with eligible nominees including teams dedicated to transparency in care quality and serving diverse patient populations.
The MHA believes focusing on transparency, health equity, quality improvement and safety culture can result in the advancement of care within healthcare facilities and produce safer, more reliable outcomes.
Award winners will be recognized at the MHA Annual Membership Meeting in June on Mackinac Island. Members seeking more information may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.
The MHA Board of Trustees continued work on advancement of the 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan at its April 10 meeting, with focus on its four pillars: workforce support and innovation, viability, improved behavioral healthcare and health equity. Opposition to government mandated staffing ratios remains a top priority for the association within the workforce pillar, as it has been shown to be a harmful approach to addressing workforce shortages. Instead, the association supports specific measures to address educational barriers, support innovation and grow the talent pipeline.
The board recognized the work within the viability pillar through the MHA and the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health partnership to secure $10 million in state grant fundingto assist Michigan’s birthing hospitals to pay for new mandatory state Maternal Level of Care (MLC) verifications. Pending state legislation will require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to register each birthing hospital’s MLC verification. Under the terms of the grant, the MDHHS will provide funding for birthing hospitals that fully participate in MI-AIM and complete an application to participate in the MLC verification through The Joint Commission (TJC). Funding per hospital will range from $50,000-$400,000 this fiscal year and the MHA Keystone Center will fund TJC fees. More information will be provided in an upcoming member webinar.
The board also received the final report from the Health Equity Task Force and endorsed converting the task force into a standing Health Equity Council for the 2024-2025 program year to continue the work of the board to ensure that high quality, equitable and safe care is available for everyone. The board recognized the association’s work in furtherance of behavioral health priorities through continued input on behavioral health legislation, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and the hosting of its ongoing five-part behavioral health member webinar series.
Lastly, the board approved new member applications from R1 RCM, Origami and Bay Street Orthopedics and Spine.
Members with questions about the MHA Board of Trustees may contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.
The MHA has new, updated signage available for MHA members to order at no cost to help hospitals comply with the requirement from Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023 that hospitals display signage informing …
The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center celebrated Joni Hunter, MA, and Dorothy Zsenyuk, RN, at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Nurse Midwives Feb. 8 as Speak-up! Award recipients. The quarterly MHA Keystone …
The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the impact medical mistrust has on health outcomes for Black Americans featuring Lynn Todman, PhD, vice president of Health Equity and Community Partnerships …
If you’re a U.S. health industry watcher, it would appear the $4.5 trillion system is under fire at every corner. Pressures to lower costs, increase accessibility and affordability to all populations, disclose prices and demonstrate value are hitting every sector. Complicating matters, state and federal legislators are challenging ‘business as usual’ seeking ways to spend tax dollars more wisely with surprisingly strong bipartisan support on many issues. No sector faces these challenges more intensely than hospitals. …
Nonetheless, conflict resolution on these issues must be pursued if hospitals are to be effective, affordable and accessible contributors and/or hubs for community health systems in the future. The risks of inaction for society, the communities served and the 5.48 million (NAICS Bureau of Labor 622) employed in the sector cannot be overstated. The likelihood they can be resolved without the addition of new voices and fresh solutions is unlikely.”
Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 5, 2024 at the ACH Hotel Marriott University Area, Lansing.
MHA Endorsed Business Partner CommerceHealthcare® recently published an annual report on 2024 Healthcare Finance Trends presenting a set of themes that capture the positive momentum, significant challenges and major strategies for provider organizations in 2024 and beyond.
The Joint Commission is hosting a webinar March 26 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. EST to review recent updates to Michigan regulations for Cardiac Systems of Care (STEMI Referring and STEMI Receiving).
Crain’s Grand Rapids published a story Feb. 22 about the decision by the Kalamazoo-based cooperative air ambulance program between Bronson Healthcare and Ascension Borgess Hospital to end flights later this year. MHA CEO Brian Peters …
Lynn Todman, PhD, vice president of Health Equity and Community Partnerships, Corewell Health joined for the February episode of the MiCare Champion Cast.
The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the impact medical mistrust has on health outcomes for Black Americans featuring Lynn Todman, PhD, vice president of Health Equity and Community Partnerships for Corewell Health.
As hospitals and health systems uplift Black History Month, it’s important to acknowledge the long, complex history of medical mistrust among Black Americans that is rooted in systemic racism and countless acts of medical exploitation, unethical experimentation and mistreatment. Repairing trust between Black patients and medical providers requires honest and open dialogue about the lasting impact of injustices that have spanned centuries.
With this in mind, Todman shared further insight about the influence medical mistrust has on Black communities and what action hospital leaders and healthcare teams can take to address gaps in care.
Research has found that individuals who experience medical mistrust are less likely to adhere to treatment plans, engage in routine screenings or participate in medical trials. Mistrust can also play a role in delayed diagnoses and poorer prognoses for a patient, and higher levels of stress that can exacerbate existing health conditions.
“It’s a perfectly rational, protective behavior,” said Todman when speaking about the history of patient-provider mistrust. She notes that systemic change at the organizational, local and national levels are necessary to effectively address this reality for many Black Americans.
Todman, who holds a Masters of Science in City Planning and earned a Doctor of Urban and Regional Planning from MIT, leads efforts to align health equity activities across the integrated health system in her role at Corewell. She has years of experience in leadership and research in health equity, social and structural determinants of health, health impact assessment, urban poverty and community development.
When asked what action providers can take to address mistrust, Todman noted the importance of taking the time to listen and understand the social determinants that may influence a patient’s lifestyle, health, history and access to care.
“We’re starting to hear more around structural competency as a compliment to cultural competency to close gaps [in care],” said Todman. “Understanding people’s cultural background is important, but also understanding the structural forces that make things like housing or food less available…those things are also important.”
The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 7 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more. The board …
Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled Tuesday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. The daylong event is geared toward the …
The MHA Keystone Center recently published an online learning module series to support hospitals and health systems in establishing and maintaining a health equity program compliant with new requirements from The Joint Commission and …
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services added two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for administration of monoclonal antibodies (Nirsevimab) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for dates of service on and after Oct. …
Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 5, 2024 at the ACH Hotel Marriott University Area, Lansing. Attending the conference provides human resource (HR) professionals with an opportunity …
The February edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes articles on artificial intelligence (AI) and philanthropy. There is no question that artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform healthcare. It …
“Last Monday, two lawsuits were filed that strike at a fundamental challenge facing the U.S. health system …
The issue is this: is a health system’s liable when its consolidation activities result in higher prices for services provided communities and employers in communities where they operate? Is there a direct causal relationship between a system’s consolidation activities and their prices, and how should alleged harm be measured and remedied? …
Healthcare organizations and their trade groups can no longer defend against lack of transparency by defaulting to the complexity of our supply chains and payment systems. They’re excuses. The realities of generative AI and interoperability assure information driven healthcare that’s publicly accessible and inclusive of prices, costs, outcomes and business practices. In the process, the public’s interest will heighten and lawsuits will increase. …”
Both the modules and the guide clarify the latest requirements and provide actionable strategies for implementing health equity programming in an acute care setting.
Module 1: Overview of CMS health equity requirements.
Module 2: Outline of The Joint Commissions standards.
Module 3: Explanation of how to use the guide to develop a comprehensive and compliant health equity program.
The intended audience for these resources includes designated health equity leader(s) and the multidisciplinary team(s) responsible for developing and implementing health equity programming. The module series can also be used as an onboarding and educational tool across a health system or hospital’s leadership, staff and governance to articulate expectations for these requirements and create buy-in.
The following article was written by Carlie Austin, BSN, RN, Maternal Infant Health Policy Specialist at the MHA.
In my role as Maternal Infant Health Policy Specialist at the MHA, one of my main goals has been to utilize my expertise to inspire health equity for marginalized birthing persons and their children and to build relationships that strengthen my impact and purpose. Attending the second annual Michigan Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Summit affirmed how purposeful impact is achieved.
MHA SVP Jim Lee presented on the Health Equity Policy Panel facilitated by Dr. Renee Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute. Lee was joined by Poppy Hernandez, Ponsella Hardaway, and Tommy Stallworth.
The event, hosted by the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Jan. 23-25, offered a variety of informative sessions that explored key issues impacting the health and well-being of Michiganders and what solutions foster change when it comes to SDOH. Presenters covered maternal health, behavioral health, childcare, food access, housing and much more. There was also a health equity policy panel featuring my colleague Jim Lee, senior vice president of Health and Data Policy at the MHA that centered around how data and community go hand-in-hand for advancing health equity.
As a healthcare provider who also works in the policy space, I often ask myself how I can be most impactful. I left the event with three key takeaways, that I’ll now be referring to as CUE:
Collaboration is critical. It is not uncommon for health equity work to feel impossible and in the maternal-infant space specifically, there are a plethora of initiatives across our state aiming to accomplish identical goals. The summit stressed the importance of becoming intentional about how we reduce siloed and duplicative efforts to ensure we’re maximizing our knowledge, resources and scope of impact.
Utility of information often feels like an undervalued tool for achieving health equity. The summit addressed various ways to effectively communicate and exchange information. In addition to embracing the quantitative data, we must also seek out and listen to the lived experience of community members. During his keynote presentation, Lt. Governor Gilchrist’s said, “lack of information is deadly” – I would build upon that notion by adding that lack of utilizing information is deadly. Knowledge is powerful not only in its existence, but in the manner we use it.
Earnest effort was a theme threaded throughout the summit. Every person, program and future pathway was rooted in the earnest effort to simply serve people well. Health equity efforts are founded in an earnest response to understanding what people need to achieve prosperous lives and how we justly share our resources to get them there. I appreciate the summit reemphasizing the importance of having principally similar partnerships. I loved this art of action because it aligns with who I am at my core and re-centered that, yes, my earnest effort is vital to eradicating health inequities, but being principally aligned in my pursuits will make the pathway achievable.
I truly enjoyed the summit, and look forward to attending again next year.
MHA CEO Brian Peters highlights the economic impact of healthcare in Michigan during the 2024 Economic Forecast Breakfast hosted by MBN.
The Michigan Business Network (MBN) hosted the 2024 Economic Forecast Breakfast Jan.11, which featured the inaugural release of the latest Michigan Future Business Index survey data, 2023 reviews and a look ahead on regional economic, business, healthcare, tourism and international business forecasts.
Given the healthcare sector significant role in Michigan’s economy, MHA CEO Brian Peters joined the Economic Forecast Breakfast as a presenter for the first time, highlighting the economic impact of healthcare in Michigan. Peters spoke about the mission and work of the MHA, including key strategic pillars in the 2023-2024 strategic action plan such as workforce support, hospital viability, behavioral health and health equity. Peters also discussed how working with hospitals and economic partners in the region contributes to growing the economy of Michigan. The MHA is an official partner with the MBN.
Other event presenters included Chris Holman, CEO of MBN; Mike Witt, senior vice president of Asset Management; Van Martin, president & CEO of Martin Commercial Properties; Julie Pingston, president & CEO of Choose Lansing; Steve Japinga, senior vice president of public affairs at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce; Bob Trezise, president and CEO of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership; and Charles Ballard, emeritus faculty of Michigan State University Economic Department.
The MHA’s involvement in the event is an example of the association’s collaboration with economic leaders across the state of Michigan.
Members with questions about future regional economic events may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an expansion of Medicaid coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024 to include community health worker (CHW) services. The MDHHS also issued a final policy establishing …
Physicians and other qualified practitioners will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) consultations in the inpatient hospital or emergency department setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. These services include assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals during …
Primary healthcare providers will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments that are provided in an office-based primary care setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. This applies to providers who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a Prepaid .…
As strides are made to address inequities and disparities in healthcare, governing and regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have created guidelines, benchmarks and policies that evolve over time. The MHA Keystone …
The deadline to enroll a trustee in the new MHA Governance Affinity Group is Friday, Dec. 22. The benefits of a well-run meeting go beyond parliamentary procedure. Proper communication and facilitation skills needed to make decisions about strategic issues drive performance and .…
The MHA is at the forefront of advocating for vaccination awareness and education, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with the Beyfortus (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody for infants entering their first respiratory syncytial virus season. The association is …
The December edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article on the board’s role in patient experience. The average hospital has turned over 105% of its workforce in the last five years and national …
“In the last 2 weeks, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been inserted itself in Campaign 2024 by Republican aspirants for the White House …
It’s no surprise. Health costs and affordability rank behind the economy as top issues for Republican voters per the latest Kaiser Tracking Poll. And distaste with the status quo is widespread and bipartisan: per the Keckley Poll (October 2023), 70% of Americans including majorities in both parties and age-cohorts under 65 think “the system is fundamentally flawed and needs major change.” To GOP voters, the ACA is to blame. …
The ACA is back on the radar in U.S. healthcare. Stay tuned.”
As strides are made to address inequities and disparities in healthcare, governing and regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission (TJC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have created guidelines, benchmarks and policies that evolve over time.
The action plan utilizes quality improvement frameworks and streamlines the requirements into five steps: define, analyze, design, implement and monitor.
The steps include best practices for establishing and maintaining a health equity program in compliance with the new requirements. Adhering to these steps will help organizations align health equity initiatives with existing quality improvement activities and ensure a cohesive and comprehensive approach to providing equitable care.
The intended audience for this resource includes designated health equity leader(s) and the multidisciplinary team(s) responsible for developing and implementing health equity programming.
Workplace Safety Posters Available
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Medical Assistant and Nurse Receive Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award
MHA Podcast Explores Impact of Medical Mistrust Among Black Americans
The Four Conflicts that Hospitals Must Resolve in 2024
MHA in the News
