Tag: Keckley Rpeort

MHA Monday Report Feb. 10, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented

Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) moving through the Senate Health Policy Committee, a reintroduction of the Momnibus …

The Joint Commission President and CEO Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees welcomed The Joint Commission President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD to its Feb. 3 meeting. In his guest presentation, Dr. Perlin shared The Joint Commission’s mission to work …

Workforce Support and Growth Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 5 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support, protecting access, mental and behavioral health, creating healthy communities, strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy …

speak upCorewell Health Trenton Hospital Nurse Honored with Q4 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center celebrates Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for February. The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or …

MHA Keystone Center Launches Infection Control Quality Improvement Cohort

The MHA Keystone Center is launching an infection control quality improvement cohort, providing high-touch technical assistance to ten long-term care facilities. The Strengthening Long-term Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Address Emerging Pathogens …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — The Realities of the Earned Sick Time Act

Healthcare continues to be the leading private-sector employer in Michigan. Our latest Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report shows healthcare provided nearly 572,000 direct jobs in Michigan in 2022, with roughly 217,000 of those jobs in hospitals. …

Keckley Report

Is health insurance reform the key to affordability and lower costs?

“For most Americans, having health insurance is still considered a hedge against unexpected or otherwise unaffordable medical bills.

For most elected officials in Congress and state legislatures, Medicare and Medicaid are insurance programs that consume a large and growing piece of public funding, squeezing out other areas of need.

For virtually all hospitals, physicians, ancillary and long-term care providers, insurance is still the unwelcome front door through which all must go to get paid but their administrative hassles and low reimbursement rates are ruining the system for everyone.

And large majorities in each of these groups are unhappy with insurers for a myriad of reasons well-documented in trade publications and polling. …

The blame and shame game to which insiders in healthcare are addicted is a zero-sum game: blaming any single sector for the cumulative deficiencies in affordability and costs is misleading and does not serve the greater good.

Is health insurance reform the key to health system affordability and lower costs? It plays a role but not alone.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 3, 2025

News to Know

In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

A MHA media statement published Feb. 5 was included in stories by Michigan news outlets covering the fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation. The statement, attributed to MHA CEO Brian Peters, was mentioned by WLNS-TV …

MHA Monday Report Feb. 3, 2025

Monday Report, Member News

Important Healthcare Workforce Bills Reintroduced & Committee Assignments Announced

Important healthcare workforce bills related to the interstate medical licensure compact prohibitions on non-compete agreements were reintroduced from the past legislative session by the Michigan Legislature during the week of Jan. 27. In addition, committee …

MHA Webinar to Review 2025 MI-AIM Eligibility Requirements

The MHA will host an informational webinar at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6 to review 2025 eligibility requirements for hospital birthing units to receive maternal health quality payments through the Michigan Department of Health and …

BEAD Program Opens to Support Broadband Access in Michigan

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program recently opened its two-step application process through 4 p.m. April 9, 2025, with pre-applications required for submission by 4 p.m. March 10. The program is part of …

Speaking Health Care™ Guide Assists with Understanding Language

Orientating 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, clinical care, …

Keckley Report

Bill Maher Rant is Shared by Most

“Last Friday (January 24), comedian Bill Maher offered a perspective on the murder of UnitedHealth Executive Brian Thompson on HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher. With characteristic profanity-laced sarcasm, he assailed insurers, hospitals, drug companies, doctors and enablers as complicit in BT’s death because “the system” has abandoned any semblance of concern about caring for people. …

Healthcare insiders now face an unwelcome reality: outsiders aren’t happy and they’re acting on their discontent. Outsiders–employers, consumers, community leaders, state and federal elected officials, news organizations and even volunteer members of non-profit healthcare organizations– believe systemic reform is needed. Recent polling by Hart and KFF indicate increased transparency about healthcare prices is their starting point: they’re worried about affordability but don’t think insiders care. …

Like Bill Maher and the majority of outsiders, they think the system stinks. Healthcare—every sector– needs to fresh start with outsiders. Transparency means more than posting charges, discounted prices, out-of-pocket estimates and premiums. It about underlying direct and indirect costs, margins, how leaders are compensated, how clinical processes and clinical decisions are made, how clinician performance is measured, how denials are adjudicated, how consumers are heard, how non-financial results matter to the organization and much more. That’s a start.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 27, 2025

News to Know

  • The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management is now accepting nominations for the Paul Venzke Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of Healthcare Risk Management.
  • The MHA is hosting a series of free webinars focused on healthcare workforce challenges, featuring insights from MHA Endorsed Business Partners.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters was quoted by media outlets the week of Jan. 27 discussing federal healthcare issues. Bridge published an article Jan. 27 about the temporary pause of external communications from federal health agencies. …

MHA Monday Report Jan. 27, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Legislation on Maternal Healthcare Access and Preserving Healthy Michigan Plan Coverage Becomes Law

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills Jan. 21 aimed at improving maternal healthcare access, equity and outcomes, as well as preserving eligibility for those under the Healthy Michigan Plan. The MHA worked extensively with bill sponsors …

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on AI & Credentialing Policy

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 22 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with Carlos Jackson from The Cornerstone Group, the MHA’s Washington DC-based government …

Now Accepting Nominations for the 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The MHA is now accepting nominations for its 2025 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. Michigan hospitals and health systems have a long-standing commitment to offering a wide range of services that enhance the health and …

Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Update

The MHA updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on December 2024 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split between fee-for-service and …

Registration Open for 2025 Human Resources Conference

Registration is now open for the 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing. The event offers attendees an opportunity to expand their …

YesRx Hosts Cancer Medication Donation Drive

The MHA is committed to efforts that expand access to services and mitigate barriers to timely and effective treatments. YesRx is a statewide cancer drug repository program, accepting donations of unopened cancer medications through partnerships …

MHA Podcast Explores Strategies to Enhance Workplace Safety, Security

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring the latest on healthcare workplace safety with Brian Uridge, MPA, CPP, CHPA, CTM, senior director at the University of Michigan Department of Public …

Keckley Report

Game On: Team Trump aims to Shake up Healthcare with Rules, Laws, Appointments and Swagger

“Hovering over Team Trump’s agenda is the reality that Americans think the country is heading in the wrong direction and trust in its institutions including the health system is at a historic low. Restoring confidence will be a gargantuan task.

Team Trump will use Executive Orders, personnel appointments, court challenges, and legislation to advance its healthcare agenda powered by its ‘take no prisoners’ operating mode whereby the ends are justified by means. Every sector in healthcare will be impacted, some more than others. … Reacting to changes in the current environment of U.S. healthcare resulting from Team Trump is necessary and time-consuming, but neglecting thoughtful consideration about the system’s long-term future and its role in “improving the state of the world” is fatalistic.  Both need attention.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 20, 2024

News to Know

The MHA will host the webinar How Federal Grant Funding Covers IT Department Costs Feb. 7 with Endorsed Business Partner Scaled Data Health to share how government funding, along with their innovative programs, can save hospitals significant dollars.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 20, 2025

Monday Report, Member News

House Committee Advances Earned Sick Time Act Changes

The House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses voted unanimously to report House Bill 4002 during the week of Jan.13. The bill, introduced by Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), makes important clarifications …

2024 MHA Community Impact ReportReport: Michigan Hospital Programming, Investments Improve Health and Well-being of Residents

The MHA released the 2024 Community Impact Report Jan. 13 highlighting how Michigan hospitals are strengthening the healthcare workforce, enhancing access to care and building community health and wellness. This report …

Workforce Webinars Available for MHA Members

The MHA is pleased to announce a series of upcoming free webinars addressing healthcare workforce issues that leverage the expertise of MHA Endorsed Business Partners to provide guidance and thought leadership for members. Registration …

mha advancing safe care awardDeadline Approaching for Advancing Safe Care Award

The MHA is currently accepting nominations for its annual Advancing Safe Care Award, which recognizes hospitals that tackle issues daily to make care safer and more dependable. Eligible nominees include teams from hospitals across the …

Newly Expanded Mobile Crisis Services Grant Application Opens

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently announced a new grant opportunity to expand mobile crisis intervention services across the state. The expansion of mobile crisis services aims to increase access to …

MHA Webinar Promoting Effective Peer Recovery Coaching Programs

The MHA will host a webinar Building Effective Peer Recovery Coaching Programs in Hospitals Feb. 12 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. to help hospitals create hospital-based peer recovery coach programs, providing background information and …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Trends for Industry and Governance

The January edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), highlights the podcasts, videos, webinar and other resources available on today’s most pressing issues. The AHA released its 2025 Environmental …

Advancing Community Access to Health for All

Advancing community access to health for all Michiganders is a key focus of Gov. Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, as Gov. Whitmer declared January Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Month. …

Keckley Report

Reality Check: Is Private Equity Ownership of Hospitals the Problem?

Last week, the Senate Budget Committee released a 171-page staff report about private equity (PE) ownership of hospitals—its second in two years. This report focused on Apollo Global Management’s ownership of Brentwood, Tennessee-based Lifepoint Health, which runs the Ottumwa Regional Health Center in Iowa, and Leonard Green’s ownership of Los Angeles-based Prospect Medical, which has two Rhode Island hospitals in its portfolio. …

Attention to PE ownership of hospitals by the Senate Budget Committee is notable because it’s Bipartisan and part of a larger effort in Congress to rein in hospitals.  It’s understandable: hospitals account for 31% total healthcare spending—the biggest piece. Concern about healthcare affordability is increasing and trust in the U.S. system is sinking. Per Gallup, NORC, Pew and KFF polls, the majority of Americans are dissatisfied with the medical system and believe profit incentives are more important to insurers and hospitals than patient care. …

PE ownership is not the issue: how hospitals operate, how hospital services are designed and delivered to address clinical innovation and whole person care, and how they’re funded as many shift from traditional hospital to integrated systems of health. …

Paul Keckley, Jan. 13, 2025

News to Know

MHA offices will be closed, and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 20, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MHA Monday Report Jan.13, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

103rd Legislature Begins With Introduction of Earned Sick Time Bills

The Michigan Legislature officially commenced their 103rd session on Wednesday, Jan. 8, including the introduction of legislation to amend Michigan’s Earned Sick Time Act . The session brings a new partisan divide with the Senate …

HHS Submits New HIPAA Security Proposed Rule

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 …

Healthcare Leadership Academy Enrollment Deadline Approaches

The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 3. The cohort meets Feb. 19 – 21 and April 10 and 11 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos. The Healthcare Leadership Academy, in partnership …

Applications Open for New Medicare Funded Rural Residency Slots

Qualifying rural hospitals may now apply for new residency positions created by Section 126 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and Section 4122 of the CAA of 2023, which allow hospitals to expand …

HRSA Announces Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) recently announced the establishment of the Addiction Medicine Fellowship Program, which trains physicians to become addiction medicine specialists. The program aims to expand the number of fellows at …

Behavioral Health Internship Stipend Program Application Released

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is offering the Behavioral Health Internship Stipend Program, a key initiative aimed at increasing Michigan’s behavioral health workforce. Now in its second year, the program provides up …

Nominations Open for 2025 Hometown Health Hero Award

The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership is now accepting nominations for the 2025 Hometown Health Hero Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that made a meaningful impact on improving the health of their community.

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Impacting Communities

As we turn the page on 2024 (and celebrate our success in preventing harmful government-mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, as well as harmful changes to our medical liability system, during the lame-duck session of the legislature), …

Keckley Report

The Two Events that Changed U.S. Healthcare for Everyone

In late 2025, two events reset the U.S. health system’s future at least through 2026 and possibly beyond…

Transforming the U.S. health system is a bodacious ambition for the incoming Trump team. Early wins will be key—like expanding price transparency in every healthcare sector, softening restrictions on private equity investments, targeted cuts in Medicaid and Medicare funding and annulment of the Inflation Reduction Act. In tandem, it has promised to cut Federal government spending by $2 trillion and lower prices on everything including housing and healthcare—the two spending categories of highest concern to the working class. Healthcare will figure prominently in Team Trump’s agenda for 2025 and posturing for its 2026 mid-term campaign. And equally important, healthcare costs also figure prominently in quarterly earnings reports for companies that provide employee health benefits forecast to be 8% higher this year following a 7% spike the year prior. Last year’s 23% S&P growth is not expected to repeat this year raising shareholder anxiety and the economy’s long-term resilience and the large roles housing and healthcare play in its performance.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 6, 2025Lauren LaPine

MHA in the News

Second Wave Michigan published a story Jan. 7 on how state officials, healthcare providers and community organizations are focusing on expanding the continuum of care for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Lauren LaPine, senior …