Tag: lame-duck

Governor Signs Several MHA Priorities Into Law

Member News

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills into law Dec. 22 that were supported by the MHA and passed during the lame-duck session. Among these were expansions to the Michigan Reconnect Program, legislation to allow for a new rural emergency hospital licensure designation and interstate licensure opportunities for psychologists.

House Bills (HBs) 6129 and 6130 – legislation to expand the Michigan Reconnect program – were signed by the governor. The Michigan Reconnect program is a post-secondary scholarship program designed to provide funding to learners over the age of 25 interested in pursuing credentials or post-secondary degrees at community colleges or eligible training programs. Introduced by Reps. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), the package allows for several additional certifications to qualify for the scholarships including high-demand healthcare credentials. The MHA was supportive of the bills and will continue to advocate for future changes to lower the age of qualification for the program.

The legislation needed for hospitals to begin converting to Rural Emergency Hospitals (REHs) in Michigan was also signed into law. Due to limited session days left, the language to allow for REH licensure in Michigan was officially included in Senate Bill (SB) 183. REHs are a new federal designation that will require hospitals to give up inpatient services in exchange for improved federal outpatient reimbursement. Members with questions about the federal rules for REH designation can contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA for more information.

Legislation to allow Michigan to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) was also approved by the governor. This will bring Michigan in line with 26 other states to create an expedited pathway to licensure for psychologists who wish to practice telepsychiatry across state lines. HBs 5488 and 5489 were introduced by Reps. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) and Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and supported by the MHA to help increase access to behavioral health services in Michigan.

Members with questions on these bills or any other lame duck action may reach out to Adam Carlson at the MHA.

 

MHA Monday Report Dec. 12, 2022

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

capitol building2022 Legislative Session Adjourns

The Legislature took their final votes for the 2021-2022 legislative session during the week of Dec. 5. Given the results of the election, very few bills passed during the legislative lame-duck session compared to a typical year. …

Media Join Hospital Viability Press Conference

The MHA conducted a virtual press conference Dec. 6 to discuss the economic and staffing challenges impacting hospitals across the state to generate awareness with lawmakers of these issues and the potential impact on access to timely, high-quality healthcare for Michiganders. …

MHA and Michigan hospital representatives pictured with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland).

MHA Visits Capitol Hill with Member Hospitals for AHA Advocacy Day

The MHA visited Capitol Hill in Washington DC last week to emphasize year-end priorities to Michigan’s congressional delegation. The MHA and several hospital representatives met with House members and with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to deliver the message that pending Medicare cuts are unsustainable and unacceptable. …

Rural Emergency Hospital Legislation Passed in Michigan

On Dec. 6th, the legislation needed for hospitals to begin converting to Rural Emergency Hospitals (REH) in Michigan was sent to the Governor’s desk for final approval. Due to the limited session days left, the language to allow for REH licensure in Michigan were officially included in Senate Bill (SB) 183. …

CMS Issues Proposal to Modify the Prior Authorization Process

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued a proposed rule to modify the prior authorization process for certain payers. The proposal would require payers to: Include a specific reason when denying a request. Publicly report certain prior authorization metrics. …

MHA Workforce Webinar to Discuss Diverse Workforce Solutions

Understanding the workforce’s values, preferences, triggers and character traits is essential to developing relationships that create a healthy organization. This may sound basic, but many organizations continue to miss the mark. …

Keckley Report 

Paul KeckleyThe Transitioning of US Healthcare from A Virtuous to Vicious Cycle

“U.S. healthcare has moved into a vicious cycle marked by intensified competition and noticeable acrimony between major players. Growing tension between major health insurers and health systems is illustrative.

Virtuosity to insurers is predicated on the core belief that keeping providers honest and care affordable and their domain; its vicious pursuit is to attribute unsustainable health costs to hospital inefficiency and price gauging.

The virtuous cycle for hospitals is premised on community health and provision of services to those unable to pay; the vicious cycle is the unwelcome intrusion of insurers and private investors who put profit above all else by paying them less so they can keep more. …”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 5, 2022

News to Know

Medtel was approved for associate membership in Nov. 2022. Medtel was founded in 2016 with a mission to improve surgical care experiences and outcomes for patients and providers by developing and delivering technology solutions. …

Brian PetersMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 5 following a virtual press conference Dec. 6 on the financial and staffing challenges impacting hospital viability, as well as topics including hospital capital improvements, mergers and acquisitions and respiratory illness hospital admissions driven by RSV and COVID-19. …

2022 Legislative Session Adjourns

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Legislature took their final votes for the 2021-2022 legislative session during the week of Dec. 5. Given the results of the election, very few bills passed during the legislative lame-duck session compared to a typical year. While the lack of a supplemental agreement prohibited additional funding for healthcare, the MHA was able to secure several victories on policy issues and no MHA-opposed legislation was passed before the end of the year.

House Bills (HBs) 6129 and 6130, legislation to expand the Michigan Reconnect program, was sent to the Governor’s desk for final approval. The Michigan Reconnect program is a postsecondary scholarship program designed to provide funding to learners over the age of 25 to return to the classroom to pursue credentials or postsecondary degrees at community colleges or eligible training programs. Introduced by Reps. Ben Frederick (R-Owosso) and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), the package allows for several additional certifications to qualify for the scholarships including high-demand healthcare credentials. The MHA is supportive of the bills and will continue to advocate for future changes to lower the age for individuals to qualify for the program.

Legislation to allow Michigan to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT) was also sent to the Governor’s desk. If signed into law, this will bring Michigan in line with 26 other states to create an expedited pathway to licensure for psychologists who wish to practice telepsychiatry across state lines. HBs 5488 and 5489 were introduced by Reps. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) and Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) and supported by the MHA to help increase access to behavioral health services in Michigan.

Another MHA-tracked bill, Senate Bill (SB) 450, was sent to the Governor. Introduced by Sen. Jim Stamas (R-Midland), SB 450 would ensure visitors of cognitively impaired patients are permitted in healthcare facilities. The bill would prohibit the directors of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or a local health officer from issuing an order that prohibits a patient representative from visiting a cognitively impaired individual in a healthcare facility. As written, the legislation does not prevent a healthcare facility from implementing reasonable safety measures for visitors and will still allow for facilities to limit the number of representatives per patient. The MHA is neutral on the bill, based upon previous feedback received from our Legislative Policy Panel.

Members with questions on these bills or any other lame duck action may reach out to Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Visits Capitol Hill with Member Hospitals for AHA Advocacy Day

Member News
MHA and Michigan hospital representatives pictured with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland).
MHA and Michigan hospital representatives pictured with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland).
MHA and Michigan hospital representatives pictured with Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Midland).

The MHA visited Capitol Hill in Washington DC last week to emphasize year-end priorities to Michigan’s congressional delegation.

The MHA and several hospital representatives met with House members and with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow to deliver the message that pending Medicare cuts are unsustainable and unacceptable. Memorial Healthcare CEO Brian Long joined the group to request prompt action to prevent the forthcoming 4% Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) sequester and extend or make permanent the low-volume adjustment and the Medicare-dependent hospital programs. Without an extension, these critical rural programs expire Dec. 16 and will reduce reimbursement to Michigan hospitals by more than $12 million annually. The MHA also pushed for making permanent the expansion of telehealth services and extending the hospital-at-home program. The members of the Michigan congressional delegation were receptive to these requests and generally expressed optimism that the pending Medicare reductions would be paused or even repealed.

The MHA also took part in both the American Hospital Association and Children’s Hospital Association advocacy briefings, which concurrently took place in DC. Both associations discussed their central priorities as the lame duck session nears its end and a new Congress prepares to enter Capitol Hill.

Members with questions about end of year priorities or future advocacy days on Capitol Hill may contact Laura Appel at the MHA.

Legislative Policy Panel Convenes for Program Year

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened Oct. 12 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president, public affairs and communications, MHA, on a storytelling campaign advocating for funding solutions to the financial challenges facing MHA members. Sudderth described the objectives of the campaign, strategies that will be utilized and ways members can get involved. The campaign is a direct result of an MHA Board directive from the strategic action plan.

The panel also held a discussion on Certificate of Need in relation to pediatric psychiatric beds in Michigan and potential measures to improve access to care and patient experience. An additional portion of the meeting was dedicated towards reviewing challenges associated with placing patients in post-acute care settings and potential legislative options to assist hospitals.

Regarding an action item, the panel recommended the MHA support proposed state legislation to expand the swing bed program.

The panel received updates on other issues at the state level, including a preview of the upcoming lame-duck session, the November election and the 340B drug pricing program.

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

Lt. Governor Gilchrist II Hosted at the Capitol Advocacy Center

Member News

The MHA hosted Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II Sept. 7 at the Capitol Advocacy Center to connect with hospital affiliated legislative officers and MHA staff on current priorities of the administration. The meeting provided an opportunity for MHA members to share priorities and concerns and allowed for an incredible exchange of information, ideas and solutions to the issues many hospitals and health systems are currently experiencing.

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist meets with MHA members.

Lt. Gov. Gilchrist touched on several topics, but the focus was largely on workforce and talent development, workplace violence, health disparities, access to care and rural health. Time was also spent discussing the importance of the 340B drug discount program and expanding behavioral healthcare access. The impact of having a statewide leader understand and discuss these top tier issues with MHA members is unparalleled and creates an opportunity for the MHA to carry strong momentum into the lame-duck state legislative session this fall.

The MHA and MHA members continue to advocate for important healthcare improvements to support the care of Michigan residents and communities. Partnerships with state executive officials also help to build on existing collaborations, create new spaces for improvement and protect MHA priorities.

The MHA will continue to foster opportunities to connect members with state and federal leaders, producing strong information exchanges and advocacy for healthcare priorities. Members with questions should contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.