MHA Monday Report Feb. 9, 2026

IMLC Legislation Clears House, Continuing Education and Credentialing Bills Advance

The Michigan House of Representatives voted in support of House Bill 5455, sponsored by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile Township), which would restore Michigan to the IMLC. The compact supports access to care, particularly in rural …


Former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees’ Feb. 4 meeting featured a discussion with former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is now a senior policy advisor with DC-based Liberty Partners Group, a bipartisan strategic consulting firm. Stabenow …


MHA Releases FAQ on Rural Health Transformation Program Funding

The MHA recently released a new frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help members better understand allowable uses, limitations and compliance requirements related to Michigan’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The FAQ clarifies that RHTP …


CMS Releases 2025 Occupational Mix Survey for Hospitals

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2025 occupational mix survey to collect data from hospitals paid under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system. Survey results will be used to adjust …

 


MHA Reinforces Evidence-Based Vaccination Guidelines

The MHA is strengthening its commitment to evidence-based immunization practices under the guidance of the MHA Healthcare and Public Health Integration Council and chief medical and nursing leaders. Efforts include distributing educational resources, reaffirming alignment …


Initiative Seeks to Expand Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services in Michigan

Providers who serve pregnant people, infants and families are encouraged to complete a brief survey to help build Michigan’s first statewide Perinatal and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (PIECMH) Provider Directory. The initiative is led …


HHS Announces $100M Investment in Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a $100 million investment to expand substance use disorder treatment, mental health services and housing-related supports under the administration’s Great American Recovery initiative. …

 


MDHHS Withdraws PIHP Procurement

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has withdrawn its request for proposals (RFP) to competitively procure Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs), ending the planned rebid process. The decision follows a Jan. 8 …


Hospitals Help: Youth Safety Event Teaches UP Students Emergency Preparedness

Camp 911 is a hands-on, youth-focused safety event supported by Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson hospital that is designed to teach school-aged children essential emergency response skills. The camp brings together professionals from various fields to demonstrate …


News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner Wakely is hosting the webinar Summary and Impacts of the 2027 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice Feb. 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.
  • The 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 24 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing, will convene human resources leaders and professionals who are shaping the future of the healthcare workforce.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce |Q is hosting an in-person Coffee & Collab for Cybersecurity Leaders Feb. 10 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. ET at CyberForce|Q headquarters in Plymouth, MI.

MHA in the News

The Mining Journal published a statement from the MHA chief medical officer following the distribution of guidance to

Michigan families departing from established standards. Dr. Roth emphasizes the efficacy of vaccines and urges families to seek medical guidance from their providers. “Vaccines remain …

New MHA Infographic Provides Overview of RHTP Program in Michigan

The MHA recently released a new infographic that provides an overview of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) in Michigan. This infographic highlights the scope of the program, Michigan’s rural health landscape and the $173 million awarded to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to support rural health initiatives across the state.  

The infographic also provides demographic and access-related data to help contextualize the need for targeted rural health investment, including information on rural population distribution, Medicaid coverage, distance to care, workforce shortages and the reliance of rural communities on local hospitals as critical access points. 

Timely updates, resources and additional information about the program are available on the MHA RHTP webpage. Members with questions may contact the MHA policy team. 

Healthcare Funding Protected in New State Budget Signed by Gov. Whitmer

The Michigan Legislature’s newly passed state budget, which protects all existing healthcare funding, was signed into law Oct. 7 by Gov. Whitmer.

Public Act 22 of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), includes the following:

  • Full funding for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.
    • Complete recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or red tape.
  • Restoration of Specialty Network Access Fee (SNAF) funding.
  • Continued support for the rural and obstetric (OB) stabilization pools.
  • Preserved funding to support Maternal Levels of Care verification.
  • Restoration of funding for the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) program.

This funding reinforces support for Michigan hospitals, healthcare workers and patients. Full funding for Medicaid means maintained access to healthcare for all patients across communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Furthermore, SNAF supports physician reimbursements for those providing care in vulnerable communities, while rural and OB stabilization pools ensure funding for rural areas and for labor and delivery services. Lastly, Maternal Levels of Care and MC3 funding were both sustained, safeguarding hospitals’ ability to collaborate among facilities and providers to guarantee women receive risk-appropriate maternal care as well as provide access to important pediatric behavioral health services in Michigan.

The MHA worked diligently with legislators over the last several weeks on the budget and applauds the efforts of Gov. Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Speaker of the House Matt Hall to pass a bipartisan budget that preserves healthcare funding for hospitals, providers and patients.

MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the press release published by Gov. Whitmer following the signing. Members may refer to the MHA-supported budget corrections summary for more details.

Members with questions about the state budget should contact the MHA Advocacy team.

Michigan Legislature Passes State Budget, Preserves Healthcare Funding

The Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed a state budget protecting all existing healthcare funding on Oct. 3.

House Bill (HB) 4706, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed by both chambers, includes the following:

  • Full funding for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.
    • Complete recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or red tape.
  • Restoration of Specialty Network Access Fee (SNAF) funding.
  • Continued support for the rural and OB stabilization pools.
  • Preserved funding to support Maternal Levels of Care verification.
  • Restoration of funding for the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) program.

This funding reinforces support for Michigan hospitals, healthcare workers and patients. Full funding for Medicaid means maintained access to healthcare for all patients across communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Furthermore, SNAF supports physician reimbursements for those providing care in vulnerable communities, while rural and OB stabilization pools ensure funding for rural areas and for labor and delivery services. Lastly, Maternal Levels of Care and MC3 funding were both sustained, safeguarding hospitals’ ability to collaborate among facilities and providers to guarantee women receive risk-appropriate maternal care as well as provide access to important pediatric behavioral health services in Michigan.

The MHA worked diligently with state lawmakers over the last several weeks to ensure this state budget protected hospitals, providers and patients, which led to the MHA’s full support of the finalized version of HB 4706. Following its passage, HB 4706 will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature and its enactment into law.

The MHA published a media statement celebrating the budget, which was picked up by Gongwer and Michigan Advance.

Members with questions about the state budget should contact the MHA Advocacy Team.