MHA Monday Report Jan. 19, 2026

Michigan Legislature Resumes Session, International Medical Graduate Bills Clear House Rules

The 103rd Michigan Legislature resumed session for the 2025-26 term during the week of Jan. 12, with the MHA continuing to work with lawmakers on initiatives that prioritize patients, providers, and hospitals and improve the health of …


MHA EventsRegistration is Now Open for the 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference

Registration is now open for the upcoming MHA Human Resources Conference scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 24 at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing, a must-attend event for HR leaders, talent professionals and executives …


MDHHS Opens Applications for RHT Advisory Council

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is accepting applications to serve on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Advisory Council, which will support implementation of Michigan’s RHT Program to improve rural health. The …


HHS Updates Childhood Immunization Schedule

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed Jan. 5 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revise the U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule, reducing the number of universally recommended …


MDHHS Seeks Proposals for Children Trust Michigan Primary Prevention Program Grants

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a grant funding opportunity to prevent child abuse and neglect. This funding opportunity aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by developing protective factors that promote healthier and resilient …


Speaking Health Care™: A Guide to Understanding Healthcare Language

Orienting new trustees extends far beyond a single session. New members usually require months to get fully up-to-speed on strategic priorities and the basic expectations for trustees. A daunting challenge is interpreting language about operations, …


Michigan State Loan Repayment Program 2026 Application Period Opens March 2

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an updated application period for the 2026 Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP), which will be open from March 2 through April 30, 2026. …


Hospitals Help: MyMichigan Clinics Improve Access to Timely Care

MyMichigan Health established the Continuing Care Clinics in 2023 to serve residents across its 26-county service region who lack timely access to primary care physicians. These clinics are pivotal during critical health transitions, offering responsive …


Keckley Report

JPM Health Conference 2026: The Trump Effect

“This week, 8000 healthcare operators and investors will head west to the 44th Annual JP Morgan Health Conference in San Francisco. Per JPM: “The (invitation-only) conference serves as a vital platform for networking, deal-making, and discussing the latest innovations in healthcare, attracting global industry leaders, emerging companies, and members of the investment community.” Daily media coverage will be provided by Modern Healthcare and STAT and most of the agenda will be at the St. Francis Hotel at Union Square. …

It’s populism vs. corporatization. Healthcare’s proclivity for self-praise, addiction to “Best of…” recognition, celebrity CEOs and handsome executive compensation have postured it as “Big Business” in the eyes of most. Business practices associated with corporatization are fair game to the administration’s corrective agenda: hearings in the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committees will showcase the administration’s populist grievances. The administration will lavish advantages on private organizations that demonstrate support for its policies. …

The health system’s role in making matters better or worse for consumers will be front and center alongside housing and costs of living. That context will be key to discussions between health investors and companies seeking their funds, though subordinate to term sheets.

In 2026, the Trump effect on dealmaking in healthcare will be significant.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 11, 2026


New to KnowNews to Know

MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.


MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters joined the Michigan Association of State Universities Jan. 13 in a media roundtable to discuss the economic impact of Michigan’s public universities, which generate nearly $45 billion in net new economic …

DIFS Releases Bulletin Protecting COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued a bulletin on Oct. 16 advising health insurers in the individual and small group markets to continue covering COVID-19 vaccinations without cost-sharing.

The bulletin was released in accordance with Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2025-7. The executive directive instructs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, DIFS and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to work collaboratively to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Michiganders.

The DIFS bulletin states that under existing state law, all insurers in the individual and small group market must cover immunizations recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP continues to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 16.

Members with questions regarding the bulletin should contact Megan Blue at the MHA.

CDC Updates Guidance for COVID-19 and Chickenpox Vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance for the COVID-19 and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. The CDC’s decision uses an individual-based decision-making framework, referring to vaccination decisions made through shared clinical decision-making. The framework notes that vaccination should be determined based on patient characteristics, which can make broad-based recommendations difficult to apply.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved marketing authorization for the COVID-19 vaccine to include those 65 and older and people at high risk for developing severe illness from the virus. This is in contradiction to policy in the past years, which recommended the vaccine for everyone six months and older.

The CDC also recommends updating the immunization schedule for chickenpox to be a standalone immunization rather than given in combination with the measles, mumps and rubella vaccines. This guidance is informed by evidence provided by the CDC Immunization Safety Office that states “Healthy 12–23 months old toddlers have an increased risk of febrile seizures seven to ten days after vaccination for the combined measles, mumps, rubella and varicella vaccine compared to those given immunization for chickenpox separately.”

The CDC stated that this change in decision making will continue to cover immunizations through payment systems that include Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program, the Vaccines for Children Program and private insurance plans.

Members with questions regarding this webinar or vaccine policy should contact the MHA Policy team.