Tag: health inequity

MHA Testifies During First House Health Policy Committee Hearing

Member News
MHA EVP Laura Appel testified during the first House Health Policy Committee hearing of 2023.

The first hearing of the new legislative session for the House Health Policy Committee was held Feb. 2. Led by Chair Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), new committee members heard testimony from advocacy organizations about the state of public health in Michigan.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, joined the committee to provide testimony on the intersection between hospitals and health system and Michigan’s public health system. Her presentation focused on the role hospitals played over the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing need for partnership on vaccination, addressing health inequity and improved emergency preparedness. The MHA submitted written testimony in addition to the in-person presentation to the committee.

“Lack of funding in core public health programs slowed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated its impact, particularly in low-income communities, communities of color and for older Americans – populations that experience higher rates of chronic disease and have fewer resources to recover from an emergency,” said Appel.

The testimony at this hearing was informational only and the committee did not discuss specific legislation. The MHA will continue to work closely with committee members to support and strengthen public health in Michigan.

Members with questions can contact Sean Sorenson at the MHA for more information.

 

Register by June 22 for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Virtual Series

Member News

As part of its work to address racism and health inequities, the MHA is offering a virtual series to address numerous diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) concepts, including:

  • Why equity remains the missing element in achieving a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
  • Staff resistance that routinely surfaces and how to engage employees in every step of the DEI journey.
  • Equitable messaging to advertising, media and business-to-business partners that connects with the emotions of DEI.
  • Partnerships that enhance and increase DEI credibility and how to use the “win-when” partnership assessment framework.
  • The professional and personal member organizations that are based on racial affinity and can build on your DEI strategy, as well as the do’s and do nots in developing a pipeline for inclusion.

An important orientation webinar will take place from 11 a.m. to noon June 30, followed by four webinars held from 11 a.m. through 12:15 p.m. Chief executive officers, medical, nursing and human resources executives, governing board members, and key DEI leaders are encouraged to participate. Pricing includes the entire series and is available for teams of five members and larger. Registration is due June 22.

To register, contact the MHA Field Engagement division indicating the intention to register for the DEI series and providing an email address and phone number. Registrants will be contacted for additional information to complete the process. Questions about the series should be directed to Erin Steward at the MHA.

The MHA is discussing with the state whether the information provided in the DEI virtual series will fulfill the new implicit bias training requirement for healthcare providers who apply for initial licensure or relicensure after May 31, 2022. For more information on the new rules, contact Paige Fults at the MHA. An additional opportunity to learn about DEI is available through a July 15 webinar offered by the MHA Keystone Center, which is not related to the new rules.