John Karasinski 3 - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Cybersecurity Communications Toolkit Available

June 13, 2025 Member News

A new MHA-member cybersecurity communications toolkit is now available to assist hospitals and health systems in preparing for and responding to a cyber incident. The available resources are focused on providing guidance in communicating with important external stakeholders outside of a standard hospital cyber incident response plan.

The toolkit includes the following resources:

External Audience Contact List
External Talking Points
Internal Talking Points
Media Statement Template
Letter to Lawmakers Template
Letter to the Michigan Attorney General Template
Letter to Insurers Template

These tools are intended to serve as guide for hospitals and health systems and should be customized to best match an organization’s branding, messaging and incident response needs. They were developed based on the experiences and best practices shared through the MHA Health Information Technology Strategy Council, the MHA Cybersecurity and Cyberattack Response member forum and from other state hospital associations.

The toolkit can also be accessed through the MHA Community Site. This website is a secure, online platform that allows MHA-member hospital staff to collaborate and share information.

Members with questions about the toolkit may contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

WLUC TV6 Focuses on Shortage of Behavioral Health Beds

May 30, 2025 Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

WLUC TV6 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula published a story May 29 on the shortage of inpatient psychiatric beds in Michigan, placing a heavy focus on the testimony the MHA delivered May 20 before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health and Food Security.

The story references results from the MHA’s emergency department boarding survey and the annual hospital workforce survey, while also mentioning several proposed solutions.

WNEM-TV also aired a segment May 26 discussing the impact of federal Medicaid funding cuts on the state. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel appears in the segment sharing the consequences of the current federal budget reconciliation bill.

Appel was also quoted in a Detroit Free Press story reacting to a hospital drug pricing report published by the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition. The study uses a limited data set that was not published with the findings to make broad claims about pharmaceutical drug prices in hospitals. Appel discussed the complexity of hospital financing and mentioned the many factors not considered in the study that impact drug pricing.

“We’re all paying attention to affordability and trying to make sure that patients get the care they need without being financially burdened, but we don’t think that the place to start is by placing blame on hospitals, which are really, to some extent, price takers from drug manufacturers,” said Appel.

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

Mental Health Awareness Month Highlights Week of Media Coverage

May 23, 2025May 23, 2025 Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received news coverage during the week of May 19 highlighted by stories related to Mental Health Awareness Month and the need to expand state psychiatric bed capacity.

Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative and public policy, MHA, speaks during a May 21 press conference on Mental Health Awareness Month, addressing long emergency department waits for psychiatric beds among Medicaid patients.

Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative and public policy, MHA, joined state lawmakers and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow clinicians during a press conference May 21 about Mental Health Awareness Month. LaPine focused her comments on the high number of patients waiting in emergency departments across the state for an inpatient psychiatric bed. Many of these patients are Medicaid beneficiaries and experience further delays awaiting a clinical assessment.

WILX News 10 and WLNS 6 News attended the press event and aired stories during their evening news broadcasts.

“Last year, for over 18 months, we collected data from our hospitals and health systems that told us that on any given day, there are more than 155 patients that are stuck in emergency departments across the state that are looking for behavioral health services,” said LaPine.

Other speakers included:

Chandu Vemuri, MD, chief medical officer, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow
Dominic Barberio, MD, psychiatrist, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow
Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township)
Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar)

The MHA also provided comment to several stories related to a hospital drug pricing study released by the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition. The study uses a limited data set of claims data in an attempt to show pricing variances across hospitals for three prescription drugs. MHA Executive Vice President spoke with Crain’s Grand Rapids and WLNS News 6, explaining the differences between hospital charges and what hospitals actually receive as reimbursement, as well as the myriad of factors that determine hospital financing, including legacy contract agreements, mergers and acquisitions, the presence of group purchasing agreements, patient acuity, and labor and overhead costs.

“There are a lot of drugs out there. Picking and choosing a few of them probably doesn’t tell the whole story about the expensive pharmaceuticals in our health care system,” said Appel to Crain’s. “Everybody in the system is trying to do their best. There’s lots of room for improvement, but I don’t think identifying a few items and saying, ‘look at this’ is a way to get us to solving some of the affordability needs that we have for our system for patients.”

**Adam Carlson speaks at a Protect MI Care press conference.**

Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA, also spoke at a Protect MI Care coalition press conference May 21 in Lansing about federal Medicaid cuts. Carlson was quoted in an article by Gongwer discussing how the cuts will impact all Michigan residents.

“It’s going to lead to millions of people losing their health insurance coverage, and these funding cuts to Medicaid, they’ll impact access to care for all Michiganders, not just those with Medicaid as their insurance coverage,” said Carlson. “It’s an important program across all state hospitals, but especially for the 65 rural hospitals that depend on it to keep their doors open.”

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

MHA Monday Report May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025May 16, 2025 Member News, Monday Report

Healthcare Legislation Advances in House, Sena te

Numerous healthcare bills including the Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) budget advanced in the Michigan Legislature during the week of May 12. …

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on Advocacy Priorities for Michigan Hospitals

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met May 14 at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. MHA Capitol Advocacy Center staff provided …

Healthcare Makes $100+ Billion Impact to Michigan’s Economy

The MHA published results from the 2025 Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report as part of National Hospital Week (May 11-17), demonstrating a $106 billion total economic impact healthcare had in fiscal year 2023, the most recent data available. …

Deadline Approaching to Register for MHA Annual Membership Meeting

The deadline to register for the 2025 MHA Annual Membership Meeting is Friday, May 23. The event will be held June 25 through 27 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The annual meeting offers …

LARA Finalizes Osteopathic Licensing and Practice Rules

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) recently finalized administrative rules that update licensing and practice standards for osteopathic medicine and surgery in Michigan, effective May 8, 2025. The revised rules, issued through the …

Members Discuss Cyberattack Preparedness in MHA Virtual Forum

More than 80 information systems, clinical and administrative leaders joined the MHA’s virtual member forum May 9 to discuss strategies for preparing for and responding to cyberattacks. Leaders shared insights and lessons learned from real-world …

MDHHS Updates MMR Vaccine Guidance Amid Measles Outbreaks

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated guidance May 9 on the administration and reimbursement of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. The bulletin outlines how providers may administer and receive …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Fundraising as a Growth Strategy

The May edition of Trustee Insights, a monthly digital publication from the American Hospital Association, explores how fundraising can serve as a low-risk growth strategy for hospitals and health systems. One article focuses on the …

Nurses Share Insights on Balance, Technology and the Future of the Profession in New Survey

The MHA has endorsed AMN Healthcare as a national leader in workforce solutions. AMN Healthcare’s 2025 Survey of Registered Nurses measures the insights and direction of the nursing profession using responses from more than 12,000 nurses. MHA …

The Reality for Medicaid Patients Entering the ED With a Behavioral Health Crisis

Imagine this: You enter a hospital emergency department for chest pain. The clinicians onsite confirm you’re having a heart attack, but before can receive lifesaving care, you must wait for a second pre-admission screening from an agency outside of the hospital. …

Keckley Report

The Value-based Care Agenda in Trump 2.0 Healthcare

“Central to both efforts is the administration’s mandate to reduce federal spending which it deems achievable, in part, by replacing fee for services with value-based payments to providers from the government’s Medicare and Medicaid programs. The CMS Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) is the government’s primary vehicle to test and implement alternative payment programs that reduce federal spending and improve the quality and effectiveness of services simultaneously. ….

Recent efforts by the Trump Healthcare 2.0 team and its leadership appointments in CMS and CMMI point to a value-agenda will change significantly. Alternative payment models will be fewer and participation by provider groups will be mandated for several. Measures of quality and savings will be fewer, more easily measured and and standardized across more episodes of care. Financial risks and shared savings will be higher and regulatory compliance will be simplified in tandem with restructuring in HHS, CMS and CMMI to improve responsiveness and consistency across federal agencies and programs. …

Trump Healthcare 2.0 value-based care is a take-no prisoners strategy in which private insurers in Medicare Advantage have a seat at their table alongside hospitals that sponsor ACOs and distribute the majority of shared savings to the practicing physicians. But the agenda will be set, and re-set by the administration and link-minded physician organizations like America’s Physician Groups and others that welcome financial risk-sharing with Medicare and beyond.”

Paul Keckley, May 12, 2025

News to Know

MHA Endorsed Business Partner Medical Solutions, will host the free webinar Workforce Wellness: Effective Approaches to Foster Well-being and Retention in Healthcare from 1 to 2 p.m. ET May 19.

MHA in the News

The MHA received news coverage during the week of May 12 related to federal Medicaid funding cuts and the release of the hospital economic and workforce impact data. …

Medicaid Cuts and Hospital Economic & Workforce Impact News Coverage

May 16, 2025May 16, 2025 Top Issues - Healthcare, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News

The MHA received news coverage during the week of May 12 related to federal Medicaid funding cuts and the release of the hospital economic and workforce impact data.

Crain’s Detroit Business published an article May 13 following the release of draft bill language from the House Energy and Commerce Committee as part of the budget reconciliation process, which calls for imposing federal work requirements and freezing state directed payment programs for healthcare providers.

MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel spoke with Crain’s, expressing the MHA’s concerns on the draft language.

“We of course remain deeply concerned about things like doing redetermination of folks’ eligibility for the coverage on less than an annual basis and things like work requirements or community benefit requirements for certain folks who currently qualify for coverage,” said Appel. “All of those things are barriers to folks.”

Second Wave Michigan also published a story May 13 about potential Medicaid funding cuts, as part of their MI Mental Health Series. Lauren LaPine, senior director, legislative and public policy, MHA, is quoted in the piece discussing what impact the cuts would have to hospitals.

“A real consequence of Medicaid cuts will be closures of service lines and even hospitals,” said LaPine. “When hospitals have to cut services because Medicaid is cut, those services are lost for all patients and not just those who receive health care coverage through Medicaid. Medicaid is the single largest payer for long-term care, maternity care, and mental health services. It is a cornerstone of our health care system and keeps people healthy at every stage of life.”

The MHA also received news coverage from Gongwer and dBusiness following the release May 12 of the association’s annual Economic Impact of Healthcare report and hospital workforce survey results.

Lastly, MHA CEO Brian Peters provided a quote of support in a press release issued by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) following introduction of the Mapping America’s Pharmaceutical Supply (MAPS) Act.

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

Protect MI Care Coalition Partners Share Majority of Michiganders Oppose Medicaid Cuts

May 9, 2025May 9, 2025 Member News, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, News Releases

The MHA joined other Protect MI Care Coalition partners in releasing public polling results that show 83% of Michiganders want to see Medicaid spending increased or kept the same as Congress considers cutting hundreds of billions of dollars from the Medicaid Program.

The MHA joined the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan, Michigan Association of Health Plans and Michigan Primary Care Association in commissioning the public polling from EPIC-MRA, which was shared through the new Protect MI Care coalition that was created to protect the federal Medicaid program from potential funding cuts.

Other results include:

82% of Michigan residents oppose cutting Medicaid spending to pay for tax cuts.
86% of Michigan residents feel Medicaid is important for people in their local community.
76% express Medicaid is important for their family members and friends.

The results are featured in a stories published by Crain’s Detroit Business, WLNS 6 News and Gongwer.

Separate the from the public polling release, FOX 47 published a segment May 7 on Medicaid funding cuts with MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel. This interview is part of a series of local TV news spots the MHA is recording to raise awareness of the funding threat.

The Protect MI Care coalition was launched April 17 and is made up of more than 140 organizations across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, education and community organizations. The MHA is one of eight groups serving on the coalition’s steering committee, providing direction and guidance to the coalition’s activities. Other steering committee members include the Michigan League for Public Policy and previously mentioned associations.

The coalition website includes advocacy tools, news updates and social media links to assist members of the public and participating groups in their advocacy efforts.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer also release a report May 8 from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services about the potential consequences of proposed Medicaid cuts. The report estimates limiting provider taxes would lead to a $2.3 billion decrease in payments to hospitals and imposing Medicaid work requirements would cost the state between $75 million to $155 million a year to implement a reporting program. In addition, converting to a block grant or a per-capita cap system would result in the loss of $4.1 billion to $13.4 billion for Michigan over the next decade.

MHA members are encouraged to continue to use the MHA’s action alert to contact their member of Congress and express the importance of protecting Medicaid from any funding cuts.

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

Medicaid Remains Focus of Healthcare News Coverage

May 1, 2025May 2, 2025 Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA was successful in placing several news stories during the week of April 28 related to potential federal Medicaid funding cuts.

The Lansing State Journal published an op-ed from MHA CEO Brian Peters that was shared as part of the MHA’s participation in the Protect MI Care coalition that is urging members of Congress to protect Medicaid. The op-ed expressed the importance of Medicaid to Michigan’s healthcare system and the consequences to access to care for all Michiganders if significant funding cuts are implemented.

“The effects would ripple far beyond those who rely on Medicaid — every hospital, mental health clinic and nursing home that depends on Medicaid funding would feel the impact,” said Peters. “When facilities close, it’s not just Medicaid patients who lose out — it’s everyone in the community, regardless of what kind of insurance they have.”

MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel also sat down with WILX News 10 on April 30 to discuss the potential funding cuts and appeared in a story published by Bridge on May 1 about the impact to rural providers.

“When we close intensive care for newborns, when we close labor and delivery units, they are closing for everyone,” said Appel to Bridge.

In other news, Crain’s Detroit Business published an article April 30 committee testimony on legislation that would have Michigan join the nurse licensure compact. MHA Chief Nursing Officer Amy Brown testified in support of the legislation and is quoted in the article.

“In addition to recruitment and coordination of care in our state’s border areas, joining the compact would positively benefit telehealth access,” said Brown. “Compact licensure means residents in Michigan can access more telehealth professionals in other compact states, increasing access points for our state’s residents.”

Appel also appeared on 760 WJR’s All Talk With Kevin Dietz on May 1 to discuss the compact.

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

Lee Discusses AI in Healthcare

April 24, 2025 Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

**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.

MHA Pushes Back Against Lown Institute Report in Crain’s

April 17, 2025April 20, 2025 MHA In The News

MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted in a Crain’s Grand Rapids article pushing back against the release of a Lown Institute report about Michigan nonprofit hospital community benefit spending.

The report intentionally omits IRS Form 990 categories, including Medicaid payment shortfall and health professional education, which significantly reduces a hospital’s community benefit contributions. Peter’s statement provided to Crain’s criticized the Lown Institute methodology, while highlighting the impact that providing care to those with Medicaid coverage has on a community. Peters also uplifted the importance of health professional education in increasing the numbers of providers while the country continues to experience a shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in rural Michigan.

“The latest version of the Lown Institute’s report on community benefit activities of nonprofit hospitals remains flawed, shortsighted and fails to highlight all the important programs and services hospitals and health systems provide to their communities and patients,” said Peters. “It is irresponsible to intentionally ignore these categories that make a significant difference in Michigan’s communities and the viability of hospitals.”

MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel also joined state officials and leaders at Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital April 18 to discuss the negative impacts of potential cuts to Medicaid funding on patient care and the financial health of rural hospitals and their local communities. Speakers included Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Director Susan Corbin and Munson Healthcare President and CEO Ed Ness. LEO published a press release, while media outlets including Cadillac News, UpNorthLive and WWMT News 3 published stories that day on the subject.

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

Keckley Report

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