Tag: Jim Lee

Legislative Policy Panel Hears Legislative Updates

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 21 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting began with guest speakers from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and The Cornerstone Group. Wendy Block, senior vice president of business advocacy, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, provided an overview on the Money Out of Politics ballot proposal. Laura Bozell, principal, Cornerstone Group, delivered a federal update on current activity in Congress.

John Karasinski, vice president, communications, MHA, presented on the MHA’s communications and marketing strategy supporting the program year’s Strategic Action Plan.

Jim Lee, senior vice president, data policy & analytics, MHA, shared next steps for the Rural Health Transformation Program, following Michigan’s $173 million award from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for fiscal year 2026, which will be administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) through grant programming identified in the state’s application. The MHA remains engaged and will continue advocacy with MDHHS on behalf of rural hospitals as next steps are shared.

The MHA advocacy and health finance teams shared a state legislative update, including a recap on hospital financial assistance policies, medical debt and affordability.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Media Covers Increasing Rate of Flu-Related Hospitalizations

Member News, MHA In The News

The MHA received media coverage during the week of Jan. 5, covering the increasing rate of flu-related hospitalizations in Michigan.

Jim LeeBoth Bridge and Michigan Public published stories during the week based on interviews with Jim Lee, senior vice president, policy & data analytics, MHA.  The stories address the overall growth in influenza cases and compares how the 2025-26 flu season in Michigan started earlier than during the prior year.

“It’s too early to tell when that peak will occur, but we’re definitely experiencing flu season a little bit earlier this year in our hospitals,” said Lee to Michigan Public.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

MiHIN in Negotiations to Sell Velatura Stake, Refocus Efforts on Michigan

Member News

The Michigan Health Information Network Shared Services, the state’s health information exchange, recently announced it is in negotiations to sell its interest in Velatura Public Benefit Corporation to Capernaum Investments.

Velatura was established by MiHIN to extend health information exchange services nationally. The potential sale would allow MiHIN to narrow its focus on serving Michigan-based healthcare organizations and advancing in-state health information sharing.

For Michigan hospitals, services and relationships remain unchanged as MiHIN continues to prioritize tools and support tailored to the state’s unique healthcare needs.

Members with questions may contact Jim Lee at the MHA.

CMS Issues New Guidance on Hospital Price Transparency Requirements

Member News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released updated guidance May 22 related to hospital price transparency requirements under Executive Order 14221, “Making America Healthy Again by Empowering Patients with Clear, Accurate and Actionable Healthcare Pricing Information”.

The new guidance introduces significant changes to existing reporting obligations. Hospitals are now required to include actual dollar amounts for all payer-specific standard charges in their machine-readable files (MRFs), including negotiated rates that were previously allowed to be expressed as percentages or algorithms.

Hospitals may no longer use placeholder values such as “999999999” for estimated allowed amounts. Instead, they must calculate and report the average dollar amount historically received for each item or service using data from electronic remittance advice (835 transactions) from the 12 months prior to the MRF’s posting. If insufficient data exists to calculate the average, hospitals must provide a reasonable estimate along with documentation explaining the methodology used in the MRF notes section.

The MHA encourages hospitals to review their current transparency policies and assess any gaps in their publicly available MRFs.

Members with questions may contact Jim Lee at the MHA

 

Lee Discusses AI in Healthcare

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Jim Lee speaks with Mid-Michigan NOW about AI.
Jim Lee speaks with Mid-Michigan NOW about AI.
Jim Lee speaks with Mid-Michigan NOW about AI.

Jim Lee, senior vice president, data policy & analytics, MHA, appeared in a story about artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare aired by Mid-Michigan NOW on April 23.

Lee discussed how AI is being used by hospitals and providers to assist with medical data and information and to reduce administrative burden.

“AI and healthcare is sort of like having a super smart assistant that helps doctors and nurses by quickly sorting through mountains of data and medical information,” said Lee.

Lansing political news outlet Gongwer also published two articles on April 23 that quote MHA representatives.

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared in a story covering the newly launch Protect MI Care coalition to protect against Medicaid funding cuts.

“[Medicaid is] the financial lifeline that keeps hospitals, mental health providers and nursing homes open,” said Peters. “Cuts at this scale would lead to facility closures, creating health care deserts that hurt everyone, regardless of how they’re insured.”

MHA Chief Nursing Officer Amy Brown also appeared in an article following her testimony in the House Health Policy Committee in support of House Bill 4246, which would add Michigan to the nurse licensure compact.

“An important tactic to improve our ability as a state to attract talent and make it easy for nurses to choose Michigan to practice is to join the nurse license compact,” said Brown. “Hospitals continue to prioritize recruitment and retention efforts, but with the aging demographics of our state and the lack of participation in the compact hinder our ability to recruit younger nurses to replace the many nurses nearing and entering retirement.”

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

HHS Submits New HIPAA Security Proposed Rule

Member News

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently submitted a proposed rule to update the HIPAA Security Rule and enhance the protection of electronic protected health information. The changes aim to address the growing number of breaches and cyberattacks in healthcare, as well as common deficiencies identified during Security Rule investigations.

The HIPAA Security Rule currently allows entities to bypass “addressable” implementation specifications, if deemed unreasonable due to factors such as risk or cost. The proposed modifications will require entities to meet all standards and implementation specifications and not allow an entity to avoid an addressable implementation specification. The proposed rules also seek to clarify existing standards and provide detailed guidance on compliance.

The MHA is reviewing the proposed changes and will submit comments to HHS. Public comments are open until March 7, 2025. Members with questions may contact Jim Lee at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 21, 2024

Member News, Monday Report

State Senate Advances Healthcare Legislation

Several bills impacting healthcare and hospitals were advanced through committees in the state Senate during the week of Oct. 14. Senate Housing and Human Services voted out a package of legislation referred to as the …

MHA Continues to Monitor Baxter IV Solutions Shortage

The MHA continues to support Michigan hospitals in response to the Baxter IV solutions shortage that began the week of Sept. 29. Baxter International Inc. temporarily closed its North Cove manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., …

LARA to Evaluate Non-Long Term Care Provider Licensures

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is required by MCL 333.20155 to make at least one visit to each licensed Non-Long Term Care provider every three years to evaluate licensure. LARA may waive …

MHA Webinar Explores Leadership Strategic Planning for AI

The MHA will host the webinar How Boards and Leaders Can Deploy AI Responsibly and Ethically, scheduled 4:30 – 6 p.m. ET, Dec. 3. The webinar will cover a framework to govern the approach, policies …

CMS Finalizes Medicare Appeals Process for Beneficiary Status Change

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the United States Department of Health and Human Services recently released a final rule, effective Oct. 11, 2024, implementing a federal district court order that …

Rural Health Research Gateway Releases Report on the First Year of REHs

The Rural Health Research Gateway recently published a report on Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) highlighting data from the first year of the designation. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the Rural Emergency Hospital provider type …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Supreme Court

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they …

Three Key Takeaways from the MHA Webinar Featuring Health Equity Regulatory Requirements

Earlier this month, the MHA, in partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, hosted a member webinar highlighting the current and future state of health equity priorities and requirements from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and The Joint Commission that impact …

Keckley Report

Do Healthcare Prices Matter?

“With the election 22 days away and inflation the key issue for voters, the latest Consumer Price Index report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is especially important. Released last Tuesday, it shows: …

Healthcare prices account for 10.2% of the CPI but attention to these is decidedly less than food, energy, housing and other categories. For consumers, that neglect is harmful’ for industry insiders, it’s a pressure point that’s been avoided. Price estimators, posted chargemasters, open-panel benefits design, website queries and other tactics work OK for now. So…

Do Healthcare Prices Matter? Not much today. But they’re mission critical in healthcare tomorrow.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 14, 2024

 

News to Know

The United States Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and the Treasury issued Sept. 9 a set of final rules on the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008.

Laura Appel speaks with NBC25 about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.

MHA in the News

The MHA continued to engage with media requests on the Baxter IV solutions shortage during the week of Oct. 14. NBC25/Fox66 in Flint aired a story Oct. 16 on the shortage, which includes an interview …

MHA Monday Report Oct. 14, 2024

Monday Report, Member News

Legislation Impacting Hospitals Advances in State Legislature

A variety of bills impacting hospitals were introduced and discussed in the state legislature during the week of Oct. 7. Gov. Whitmer signed Public Act 132 of 2024, which updates statutory framework for the …

Baxter IV Solutions Shortage Updates

The MHA continues to support Michigan hospitals in response to the Baxter IV solutions shortage that began the week of Sept. 29. Baxter International Inc. temporarily closed its North Cove manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., …

Reimbursement for Age-Friendly Quality Data Included in FY 2025 Hospital IPPS Final Rule

Included in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Medicare fee-for-service hospital inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) fiscal year (FY) 2025 final rule is a reimbursement model for hospitals submitting age-friendly quality data. Hospitals …

Healthcare Leaders Discuss Regional Care at Lansing Economic Club

The Lansing Regional Chamber hosted its annual Future of Healthcare in the Lansing Region luncheon Oct. 10 as part of its monthly series of Lansing Economic Club events. This event featured a panel discussion moderated …

New Hospital Reporting Requirements for Respiratory Illness and Bed Capacity

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced new respiratory disease reporting requirements for hospitals through the National Healthcare Safety Network effective Nov. 1. These requirements replace the previous “Hospital COVID-19 Data” reporting requirements …

MHA Webinar Outlines Strategies to Strengthen Healthcare Worker Well-being

The MHA and the MHA Keystone Center will host the MHA Health Foundation webinar Implementing Evidence-Informed Strategies to Normalize Help-Seeking and Strengthen Wellbeing from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Dec 4. This webinar is dedicated to …

MHA Race of the Week – Michigan Supreme Court

The MHA’s Race of the Week series highlights the most pivotal statewide races for the 2024 General Election. The series will provide hospitals and healthcare advocates with the resources they …

MHA Podcast Explores Why Voting Matters to Healthcare in Michigan

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast featuring Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations & public policy, MHA, exploring why voting in the 2024 General Election is critical to …

Keckley Report

What is the Medicare Advantage?

“On October 15, the open enrollment period for Medicare begins running through December 7 for coverage starting in January 2025. In this period, 67 million Medicare eligible seniors can review features of Medicare plans offered in their area, switch from traditional Medicare to a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan (or vice versa), change their MA selection and add/change their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans.

In 2024, Medicare Advantage plans enrolled 33 million seniors and Medicare paid private insurers $462 billion to pay for their care. But conditions for Medicare Advantage have changed in recent years prompting many to ask ‘what is the Medicare Advantage?’ …

Its funding comes from payroll taxes paid by employers and their employees, and those who are self-employed PLUS income taxes paid on Social Security benefits, interest earned on the Medicare trust fund’s investments and Part A premiums from people who aren’t eligible for premium-free Part A. …”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 7, 2024

Laura AppelMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 7 that includes coverage on a potential national shortage of IV solutions products, physician retention and rural hospital funding. The closure of a Baxter manufacturing facility …

New Hospital Reporting Requirements for Respiratory Illness and Bed Capacity

Member News

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently announced new respiratory disease reporting requirements for hospitals through the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) effective Nov. 1. These requirements replace the previous “Hospital COVID-19 Data” reporting requirements and now mandate hospitals to electronically submit data about COVID-19, Influenza, RSV and hospital bed capacity.

All Michigan hospitals, including acute care hospitals, long-term acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals, freestanding rehabilitation facilities and freestanding psychiatric facilities, are required to report these new data elements into the state’s EMResource system.

To help hospitals prepare for the new federal requirements, the state will begin accepting the new data fields in EMResource starting Oct. 16. Although this is optional at this time, providing data to the state in the new format will help hospitals prepare for the Nov. 1 deadline.

Additionally, the state of Michigan is hosting open office hours on Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Microsoft Teams Meeting ID: 285 470 477 359

Passcode: PdJdmG

Dial in by phone +1 248-509-0316,,802649168#

Phone conference ID: 802 649 168#

Members with questions should contact Jim Lee at the MHA.

MHA Panelists Featured During 2024 State of Reform Health Policy Conference

Member News

MHA staff participated in panel discussions April 4 during the 2024 State of Reform Health Policy Conference in Lansing, MI. MHA speakers included Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy; Jim Lee, senior vice president, data policy & analytics; Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy; and Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative and public policy. Each provided valuable insight on the issues important to hospitals and the role of public policy in identifying solutions.

Topics of discussion included workforce shortages, artificial intelligence, depleted American Rescue Plan Act funding and certified community behavioral health clinics.

Other MHA members participating in the event included Tawana Nettles-Robinson, executive director, Detroit market, Trinity Health Michigan and Michelle Pena, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Grand Rapids. Nettles-Robinson discussed health disparities while Pena focused on workplace violence. Seth Karnes, senior director of risk, consulting and training at HSS, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner, was a guest speaker on the workplace violence panel to share national insights and perspectives. Members may contact HSS to learn more about active violence training, risk assessments, de-escalation training and more.

Members with questions may contact John Karasinski at the MHA.