Tag: immunization

MHA Monday Report Oct. 10, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

DIFS Publishes Bulletin on No-fault Reimbursement Following Andary Decision

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued Bulletin 2022-17-INS Oct. 5 in the matter of payment and billing guidance for no-fault automobile insurers and healthcare providers following an order from the Michigan Supreme Court in the Andary v. USAA lawsuit …

MDHHS Releases Proposed Policy to Resume Required Enrollment Activities

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) released a proposed policy to rescind remaining waived provider enrollment (PE) requirements implemented by MSA 20-28 and resume required enrollment activities that were waived during the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) …

CMS Announces 2023 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced the calendar year 2023 Medicare fee-for-service Part A deductible for inpatient hospital services will increase by $44 to a new total of $1,600 …

MHA Creates Workforce Sustainability Communications Toolkit

As hospitals and health systems across Michigan continue to face workforce challenges, the MHA has developed a downloadable communications toolkit focused on workforce sustainability …

Michigan Harvest GatheringsMichigan Harvest Gathering Launches Oct. 10

Food insecurity and health outcomes go hand in hand, as those who struggle to put food on the table are at a higher risk of conditions like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. In 2020, more than one million Michiganders faced food insecurity – including 300,000 children …

Opportunities for Immunization Grants – Applications Due Nov. 1

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently announced multiple grant opportunities for health organizations and AAP Chapters to improve community confidence in vaccines and to support pediatricians in the delivery of on-time vaccinations …

Webinar Dispels Misinformation About Unionization and Outline Legal Guidelines

Healthcare workforce shortages, particularly nursing shortages, are severely hindering the ability to provide patient-centered care. Unionizing to negotiate for policies like staffing ratios is popular but does not consider the complexity of significant workforce shortages …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Secretary of State

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races and ballot questions for Election 2022. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they need to make informed decisions on Election Day, including candidates’ views and background …

Paul KeckleyThe Keckley Report

The White House Strategy for Nutrition and Hunger: Three Glaring Oversights

“Last Wednesday, the White House hosted the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in DC—the first since the Nixon administration’s conference in 1969. Noting that food insecurity is an issue in one in four US households and the eroding nutritional value of the food supply chain, the Administration laid out its strategy in a 44-page document featuring 5 pillars of its attention…

The White House Strategy is a great start but the issues of food insecurity and nutritional deficiency require urgent, comprehensive and dedicated attention. The White House says it has secured pledges of $8 billion from the private sector to advance the strategy: that’s a good start, but only a fraction of what’s needed.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 3, 2022

Logo for MI Vote Matters, Tuesday Nov. 8News to Know

  • A second gubernatorial debate is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 25 on the Oakland University campus between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican candidate Tudor Dixon.
  • Early in-person voting by absentee ballot at a clerk’s office is currently available.
  • Complimentary MI Vote Matters informational posters and the 2022 Candidate Guide remain available for MHA members.

Laura AppelMHA in the News

Bridge Michigan published an article Oct. 4 which focuses on the staffing challenges impacting behavioral health providers that limit bed capacity. The article begins by reviewing the number of reduced beds at state psychiatric facilities …

Opportunities for Immunization Grants – Applications Due Nov. 1

Member News

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently announced multiple grant opportunities for health organizations and AAP Chapters to improve community confidence in vaccines and to support pediatricians in the delivery of on-time vaccinations. Several grant programs and funding amounts are currently available related to COVID-19, HPV, influenza and other routine childhood immunizations. Applicants are encouraged to propose activities that will address the unique needs of children and families within their communities to improve vaccination uptake.

For more information on the various opportunities, view the Call for Proposals. 

Applications should be submitted through Survey Monkey and are due Nov. 1.

Members with vaccine-related questions may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA. 

New Website to Help Providers Boost Childhood Vaccination

Member News, Issues in Healthcare

Healthcare providers have unique opportunities to increase the number of children who are up to date with childhood vaccinations to keep them safe from a multitude of diseases. Motivated by that fact, the I Vaccinate initiative has launched a new provider toolkit website to help healthcare providers educate Michigan parents about the safety and effectiveness of childhood immunizations.

To help reach the goal of raising Michigan’s childhood immunization rates to national levels or above within five years, the I Vaccinate Provider Toolkit will help providers prepare for conversations, navigate and track difficult questions, and improve their ability to ensure their young patients are vaccinated on schedule or help them catch up on missed immunizations.

More than 1,700 healthcare providers have given feedback on the new website and more than 60 medical doctors and pediatricians have participated in pilot testing and review of the site. The toolkit addresses nearly a hundred questions, including those about COVID-19 vaccines, and supplies additional resources to facilitate conversations between vaccine-hesitant families and healthcare professionals.

Providers can access the toolkit by clicking on “Request Access” on the login page and submitting their name, email, organization and title. More information about the development of this resource is available from the I Vaccinate Provider Toolkit Look Book and the Walkthrough Video. Members with questions may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

News to Know – Week of September 20

Member News

Representatives from MHA Endorsed Business Partner Medical Solutions will discuss how the pandemic has transformed healthcare staffing during a free webinar from 1 to 2 p.m. ET Sept. 22.  Hosted by Becker’s Hospital Review, the webinar will examine the massive shift in how hospitals and health systems approach staffing and contingent labor. Details and registration are available online.

Applications for the American Hospital Association Dick Davidson NOVA Award will be accepted through Nov. 19. Up to five organizations will be recognized with the award in 2022, honoring their collaborative efforts to improve community health. The 2021 winners of the award provide examples and inspiration for submitting applications.

Michigan’s 2021 Fall Immunization Conferences will be held via webinar from 8 a.m. to noon ET Oct. 13 and 14. Content will be the same both days, so those interested in participating should register for one day at a cost of $25 per person. The half-day conferences will provide participants with a variety of practice-management tools, techniques and information that will help assure that all their patients are fully immunized. Sarah Schillie, MD, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be the keynote speaker.

Vaccine Legislation Receives Hearing in State House

Member News, Issues in Healthcare
capitol building

Michigan Capitol BuildingThe state House Workforce, Trades, and Talent Committee held a hearing Aug. 19 on a proposed bill to prohibit private businesses from requiring certain vaccinations for their employees. House Bill (HB) 4471, introduced by Rep. Sue Allor (R-Wolverine), would prohibit businesses establishing vaccination policies to help prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, including COVID-19, influenza, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough). All the targeted vaccines in HB 4471 are proven to be safe and effective at preventing infection and reducing the severity of illness, and the MHA opposes the bill.

As introduced, HB 4471 goes beyond prohibiting hospitals from establishing policies to encourage vaccination by removing employers’ ability to require facemasks for individuals while at work. Facemasks have been used in the delivery of healthcare services, especially in the operating room, for decades. The MHA is extremely concerned with this language, which would allow unmasked and unvaccinated individuals to regularly come in close contact with patients, many of whom are critically ill. This legislation would ignore hundreds of years of infection control research and severely hinder the ability of hospitals to protect the health and wellness of their communities.

No official vote was held on HB 4471 following testimony. The MHA provided written testimony in opposition and will keep members apprised of any further action. Members with questions should contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.