Tag: LARA

Key Findings from the Michigan Interpreter Needs Assessment Report

Member News

Understanding the critical role interpreters play in hospitals, the MHA Health Foundation recently contributed funding to support the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) in conducting a needs assessment of Michigan’s interpreter landscape.

Through a partnership with Innivee Strategies, LARA’s assessment focused on understanding current challenges and identifying solutions to make the state’s interpreter system more equitable, responsive and sustainable. Key findings, include:

  • Interpreters cited the state certification infrastructure, education and challenges with workforce entry/advancement as barriers within the profession, as well as a lack of professional development opportunities, compensation and unregulated hiring practices.
  • Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) individuals stressed the overuse of video remote interpreting services, rural service area gaps and a lack of accountability and enforcement from the state as barriers to care.
  • Western and Northern Michigan were identified as interpreter “service desserts,” which has resulted in delayed or denied services, limited community engagement and gaps in healthcare, education, legal and everyday life contexts.
  • There is a shortage of interpreters that are qualified and specialized. Interpreters with more experience are more likely to have the advanced skills and credentials needed for high-risk environments. However, given the shrinking workforce, there is concern that institutional knowledge will be lost, leaving a gap in specialized skills.
  • Training for interpreters to work in healthcare settings was identified as the highest need, as DDBHH individuals indicated that this was the environment where these services are most frequently used.

Findings from the assessment drive home that a strong interpreter environment requires regulatory infrastructure, accountability and sustainable workforce development to best serve DDBHH patients and communities. The LARA intends to use these findings to inform improvements in access to interpreter services across the state.

Members with questions should contact Lauren LaPine-Ray at the MHA.

DIFS Releases Bulletin Protecting COVID-19 Vaccinations

Member News

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued a bulletin on Oct. 16 advising health insurers in the individual and small group markets to continue covering COVID-19 vaccinations without cost-sharing.

The bulletin was released in accordance with Gov. Whitmer’s Executive Directive 2025-7. The executive directive instructs the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, DIFS and the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs to work collaboratively to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available to all Michiganders.

The DIFS bulletin states that under existing state law, all insurers in the individual and small group market must cover immunizations recommended by the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The ACIP continues to recommend the COVID-19 vaccine as of Oct. 16.

Members with questions regarding the bulletin should contact Megan Blue at the MHA.

MHA Releases Executive Summary of Final LARA Rules for Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

Member News

The MHA recently released an executive summary regarding administrative rules finalized by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), updating licensing and practice standards for osteopathic medicine and surgery in Michigan. The rules, issued through the Bureau of Professional Licensing, took effect May 8, 2025.

These updates align licensing requirements with evolving accreditation standards and aim to modernize healthcare regulation, reduce barriers to practice and uphold patient safety.

Key changes addressed in the summary include:

  • Delegation of Certain Procedures: Removes the prohibition on delegating medications or devices intended to cause miscarriage or fetal death in a pregnant patient.
  • COMLEX-USA Exam Attempt Limits: Reduces the maximum number of exam attempts per level from six to four.
  • Removal of Seven-Year Completion Rule: Eliminates the requirement to complete all levels of the licensing exam within seven years of passing the first.
  • Continuing Education Waiver Clarification: Provides new guidance on when and how licensees may request continuing education waivers.
  • Implicit Bias Training Eligibility: Allows implicit bias training under Rule 338.7004 to count toward continuing education requirements.
  • Expanded CE Provider Options: Permits non-Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME)-accredited programs to qualify if offered in partnership with an ACCME-accredited organization.

Members are encouraged to review the summary and share it with relevant clinical and credentialing staff. For questions, please contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

Senate Health Policy Holds Testimony on Opioid Legislation

Member News

The Senate Health Policy Committee held testimony on legislation related to treating patients with opioid use disorder during the week of June 16.

Collectively, Senate Bills (SB) 397–405 make numerous changes to improve coverage and access for Michiganders to receive treatment for opioid use disorder. SBs 397, 400, 401, 402 and 403 specifically apply commercial insurer and Medicaid coverage modifications to reduce delays and remove additional barriers in prescribing opioid-related treatment and dosages.

SB 398 modifies opioid treatment program requirements under the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, while SBs 404–405 would require nurses to carry naloxone in select schools. Lastly, SB 399 amends the Public Health Code to specify that the term “drug paraphernalia” does not include testing products.

The MHA-supported bills now await a final vote in the Senate Health Policy Committee before moving to the full Senate chamber. The MHA Behavioral Health Integration Council reviewed and recommended changes for SBs 397, 398, 399, 400 and 402.

Members with additional questions should contact the MHA Advocacy Team.

MHA Monday Report May 19, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Healthcare Legislation Advances in House, Senate

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

New to KnowNews 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

Laura Appel

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. …

LARA Finalizes Osteopathic Licensing and Practice Rules

Member News

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 Bureau of Professional Licensing, reflect changes to licensing exams, continuing education and scope of practice, aligning with evolving accreditation standards. Physicians and license applicants are encouraged to review the updates to ensure compliance.

Key changes include:

  • Delegation of Certain Procedures: The updated rules remove the ban on delegating medications or devices intended to cause miscarriage or fetal death in a pregnant patient.
  • COMLEX-USA Exam Attempt Limits: The maximum number of attempts per level on the licensing exam is now four, reduced from six.
  • Removal of Seven-Year Completion Rule: Applicants are no longer required to complete all exam levels within seven years of passing the first.
  • Continuing Education Waiver Clarification: New guidance is provided on when and how licensees may request waivers.
  • Implicit Bias Training Eligibility: Implicit bias training under Rule 338.7004 may now count toward continuing education requirements.
  • Expanded CE Provider Options: Non-ACCME-accredited education programs may qualify if partnered with an ACCME-accredited organization.

These revisions are part of Michigan’s efforts to modernize healthcare regulation, reduce barriers to practice and uphold public safety.

The MHA is preparing an executive summary of the rule changes to share with members in the coming weeks.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

LARA to Evaluate Non-Long Term Care Provider Licensures

Member News

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 this required visit if the provider requests a waiver and presents evidence of accreditation from an accrediting body. The department will perform a review of any documentation submitted, rather than an on-site visit.

These waivers are offered each year, but not every facility is eligible due to the three-year survey cycle or if a waiver has already recently been granted.

The MHA encourages members to review eligibility and reference additional information on the waivers. Waiver requests must be submitted by Oct. 31, 2024.

Members with questions are encouraged to email LARA’s Non-Long-Term Care State Licensing Section.

News to Know – July 15, 2024

Member News
  • July 22 is the deadline to register by mail or online to be eligible to vote in the Primary Election on Aug. 6. To check registration status, find polling locations or view a sample ballot, visit the Michigan Voter Information webpage. Voters can register in-person through Election Day at a local clerk’s office. For key dates and additional election resources, visit the MHA Elections webpage.
  • The MHA recently submitted comments on the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair’s Psychology proposed rules. Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report June 10, 2024

Monday Report

House Insurance Committee Hears Testimony on Bill to Protect 340B

The House Insurance and Financial Services Committee convened June 5 to hear testimony on House Bill 5350, introduced by Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), which would protect access to affordable prescription drugs and healthcare services …

Governor Signs Telehealth Parity & Behavioral Health Licensing Clarification Bills

Gov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of June 3 related to telehealth services and behavioral health licensing. House Bills 4131, 4213, 4579 and 4580 (now referred to as Public Acts 51 – 53 of 2024) establish …

Maternal Levels of Care Toolkit Created to Assist with TJC Verification

A toolkit of resources is now available to assist hospitals with the application process for The Joint Commission’s (TJC’s) Maternal Levels of Care Verification. The toolkit contains resources from TJC and the Florida Perinatal …

MDHHS Distributes Funding to Michigan Universities to Support Behavioral Health Workforce

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently allocated $5 million to 12 Michigan universities to provide stipends to students pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work to Master of Social Work …

Expanded AMN Healthcare Partnership Offers Greater Member Solutions

The MHA’s Endorsed Business Partner program promotes industry-leading firms that can meet the most pressing needs of our member hospitals and health systems. The MHA recently endorsed a national leader in workforce solutions. The …

Health Facility State License Renewals Due July 31

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs announced the start of the 2024-2025 renewal cycle for health facilities operating under state licenses. This renewal applies to hospitals, psychiatric units, hospices, outpatient surgical facilities …

The Keckley Report

Handicapping the Players in the Quest for Healthcare Affordability

“As campaigns for November elections gear up for early voting and Congress considers bipartisan reforms to limit consolidation and enhance competition in U.S. healthcare, prospective voters are sending a cleat message to would-be office holders:

Healthcare Affordability must be addressed directly, transparently and now. …

Getting consensus to address affordability head on is hard, so not much is done by the sectors themselves. And none is approaching the solution in its necessary context—the financial security of a households facing unprecedented pressures to make ends meet. In all likelihood, the bigger, more prominent organizations in their ranks of these sectors will deliver affordability solutions well-above the lowest common denominators that are comfortable for most Thus, health care affordability will be associated with organizational brands and differentiated services, not the sectors from which their trace their origins. And it will be based on specified utilization, costs, outcome and spending guarantees to consumers and employers that are reasonable and transparent.”

Paul Keckley, June 3, 2024

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of June 3 that includes coverage on the 340B drug pricing program and from the Mackinac Policy Conference on the healthcare workforce. Michigan Advance published an article June …

Health Facility State License Renewals Due July 31

Member News

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) announced the start of the 2024-2025 renewal cycle for health facilities operating under state licenses. This renewal applies to hospitals, psychiatric units, hospices, outpatient surgical facilities and substance use disorder service programs statewide.

Members must renew state licenses through the eLicense portal by July 31. Upon payment, it takes approximately three weeks to receive a hardcopy license. Failure to renew by the deadline will render licenses null and void Aug. 1, prohibiting healthcare services.

After renewal, facilities should separately report necessary changes by visiting LARA’s Health Care Providers webpage for reporting instructions. To update administrator changes for non-long-term care state licensing, follow the directions under the administrator changes section of the webpage. For administrator changes for substance use disorder facilities, email LARA-BCHS-NLTCSLS@michigan.gov.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.