Tag: Kevin Hertel

Hospital Nurses Ensure Healthcare Stays Top of Mind for State Legislators

Member News

The Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL) and the American Nurses Association of Michigan (ANA-MI) hosted more than 75 nurses from across the state for an advocacy day at the Michigan State Capitol on Sept. 17.

Nurses from across the state, including many from MHA member hospitals, attended the advocacy day and spoke with lawmakers about protecting healthcare workers from violence, investing in hospitals and healthcare, and nurses’ voices are included when decisions are being made at the state legislative level.

The day featured presentations on healthcare priorities from both Senate Health Policy Chair Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) and House Health Policy Chair Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington). In addition, MONL and ANA-MI members heard from Representatives Natalie Price (D-Berkley) and Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) on addressing workplace safety for healthcare workers. Throughout the day, MONL and ANA-MI leaders met with nearly 45 lawmakers and staff to share legislative and budget priorities.

The MHA recognizes the nurses from member hospitals, as well as lawmakers and legislative staff, who participated in discussions, emphasizing the essential role of hospitals and the urgent need to pass a state budget that prioritizes healthcare before the Sept. 30 deadline.

Members with any questions related to legislation and advocacy efforts may contact the advocacy team at the MHA.

Medical Residents Highlight Workforce Needs During 2025 GME Capitol Day

Member News
Trinity physician residents pictured in the Anderson House Office Building.
Trinity Health physician residents pictured in the Anderson House Office Building.

The MHA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Capitol Day welcomed more than 40 physician residents from a dozen member hospitals to the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center offices May 21 for a day of meetings with members of the Michigan Legislature and their staffs. Each group of residents met with a combination of lawmakers and legislative staff throughout the day, with conversations focusing on the importance of graduate medical education, physician residents in the healthcare continuum and Michigan’s future physician healthcare workforce talent pipeline. Residents also urged legislators to support bipartisan bills that protects healthcare workers from violence, to accompany Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023.

Meetings were held in the Michigan Capitol, the Anderson House Office Building and the Senate Binsfeld Office Building.

Participating lawmaker offices included:

  • Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores), Chair, Health Policy Committee
  • Representative Rachelle Smit (R-Martin), Speaker Pro Tempore
  • Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Senate Majority Floor Leader
  • Representative Joe Aragona (R-Clinton Twp.), Chair, Regulatory Reform Committee

Residents used and shared with lawmakers an infographic that provides facts regarding GME.

Members with questions on GME and state legislation related to the healthcare workforce may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.