Tag: Laura Appel

MHA Provides Testimony Supporting State Psychiatric Care and Healthy Michigan Plan

Member News

During the week of March 13, the MHA provided testimony to both the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and the House Health Policy Committee.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government Relations and Policy and Lauren LaPine, senior director of Legislative and Public Policy at the MHA  provided testimony Mar. 15 to the House Appropriations Subcommittee.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government Relations and Policy at the MHA, provided testimony Mar. 15 to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services. Appel provided an overview of the impact healthcare workforce challenges are having on state psychiatric care and the need for additional support.

“We share the frustration of families, caregivers and our colleagues at the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services when state psychiatric beds go offline,” said Appel. “We appreciate the Governor’s proposed investments and understand there are many needs in our state – I hope the subcommittee will consider an investment in healthcare for our most vulnerable residents among the highest priorities.”

Adam Carlson, senior vice president of Advocacy at the MHA provided testimony Mar. 16 to the House Health Policy Committee.

Adam Carlson, senior vice president of Advocacy at the MHA, provided testimony Mar. 16 to the House Health Policy Committee in support of House Bill (HB) 4224, introduced by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo). HB 4224 would repeal the Medicaid work requirement law that was passed in 2018. That legislation would require Michigan’s Medicaid beneficiaries to report employment or evidence of their search for work in order to maintain coverage.

“Ensuring coverage and access for our lower-income community members improves the health and wellness of our state, while having a positive effect on securing and maintaining employment,” said Carlson.

Members with questions about workforce funding or other state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

Supplemental Signed into Law, MHA Provides Additional Testimony

Member News
Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government Relations and Policy. MHA, provided testimony to the Senate’s Health Policy Committee.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a supplemental appropriation bill on March 8 that includes $75 million for hospital recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers. The funding was included as a part of House Bill (HB) 4016, now Public Act 5 of 2023.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government Relations and Policy at the MHA, provided testimony to the Senate’s Health Policy Committee. Appel provided a general overview of the role hospitals play in the healthcare continuum, the continuing post-pandemic patient transfer issues and potential solutions to address these challenges and the workforce crisis.

“The cost of maintaining standby trauma resources is millions of dollars for each level I and II trauma designated hospital location and those costs are incurred regardless of the number of patients that need those services every day,” said Appel.

Lastly, a new bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would make improvements to Michigan’s Healthy Michigan statute. HB 4224, introduced by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), would remove Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements. The work requirement is currently disallowed by the courts. The MHA supports HB 4224 and expects additional legislation to make improvements to the Healthy Michigan statute in the coming weeks.

Members with questions about workforce funding or other state legislative action may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 6, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Testifies During First House Health Policy Committee Hearing

The first hearing of the new legislative session for the House Health Policy Committee was held Feb. 2. Led by Chair Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), new committee members heard testimony from advocacy organizations about the state of public health in Michigan. …

Implicit Bias Trainings Available to Meet LARA Requirement

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs revised Public Health Code – General Rules to allow asynchronous teleconferences or webinars as acceptable modality of training as part of the implicit bias training standards for all professions licensed or registered under …

MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award Accepting Nominations

Hospitals taking part in local efforts to enrich the overall welfare of their communities are encouraged to nominate those programs for the 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. First presented in 1990, the annual award honors MHA-member healthcare …

MHA Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Just as hospitals and health systems have changed their strategies to adapt to the new environment, MHA education programming and sponsorships have changed to deliver more value. The MHA team are designing in-person events tied to the priorities of the …

MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Medical Liability and Denney Damages

In last month’s CEO Report, we focused on the new political environment in Lansing, with a host of first-time lawmakers taking office, Democrats assuming majority control of both chambers of the legislature and a host of …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Big Tech Advantage in U.S. Healthcare

“This week, 100 of the Fortune 500 will report earnings for 2022 and heightened attention will be on four tech giants–Apple Inc., (AAPL); Amazon (AMZN) Meta Platforms Inc.(META) and Alphabet Inc.(GOOG). Comparatively, reports this week by Pfizer, Merck and Eli Lilly will get industry attention but news about these technology-giants will extend to a much wider audience. Why? …

2023 will be pivotal to U.S. healthcare’s future: it’s the transition year from pandemic adaptation buoyed by emergency-relief funds and opportunistic private equity plays in capital-starved sectors to a normalcy that’s unprecedented. … “

Paul Keckley, Jan. 30, 2023

Brian PetersMHA in The News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 30 regarding the 340B drug pricing program and the lack of child psychiatrists in northern Michigan. Crain’s Detroit Business published an op-ed Feb. 1 from MHA CEO Brian Peters on …

MHA Testifies During First House Health Policy Committee Hearing

Member News
MHA EVP Laura Appel testified during the first House Health Policy Committee hearing of 2023.

The first hearing of the new legislative session for the House Health Policy Committee was held Feb. 2. Led by Chair Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), new committee members heard testimony from advocacy organizations about the state of public health in Michigan.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, joined the committee to provide testimony on the intersection between hospitals and health system and Michigan’s public health system. Her presentation focused on the role hospitals played over the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing need for partnership on vaccination, addressing health inequity and improved emergency preparedness. The MHA submitted written testimony in addition to the in-person presentation to the committee.

“Lack of funding in core public health programs slowed the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and exacerbated its impact, particularly in low-income communities, communities of color and for older Americans – populations that experience higher rates of chronic disease and have fewer resources to recover from an emergency,” said Appel.

The testimony at this hearing was informational only and the committee did not discuss specific legislation. The MHA will continue to work closely with committee members to support and strengthen public health in Michigan.

Members with questions can contact Sean Sorenson at the MHA for more information.

 

Media Recap: 340B & Child Psychiatry Access

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters

Brian PetersThe MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 30 regarding the 340B drug pricing program and the lack of child psychiatrists in northern Michigan.

Crain’s Detroit Business published an op-ed Feb. 1 from MHA CEO Brian Peters on how the 340B drug pricing program benefits hospitals. The placement of the op-ed follows recent criticism of the program in the media on how the program generates savings for hospitals and health systems.

“Michigan has some of the best state-level 340B protections in our country that prioritize access to care for vulnerable patients,” said Peters. “The program is funded through drug company discounts and not taxpayer dollars. Reducing the availability of 340B simply means even higher profits for drug companies. As the Michigan Legislature begins a new session, it is important to remember that for three decades, the 340B drug pricing program has received bipartisan support and helped hospitals from Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.”

In a separate story, Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, appeared in a story that looks at the shortage of child psychiatrists in rural and northern Michigan and the challenges it presents to children and families accessing care. The story originally written by Capital News Service was picked up by publications such as the Midland Daily News, Cadillac News, Ludington Daily News and City Pulse.

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

Omnibus Spending Bill Includes Major Health Policy Measures

Member News

After the MHA’s recent visits to Capitol Hill to advocate for year-end member priorities, Congress has reached a major deal on a year-end omnibus legislative package. The package includes health policy measures related to Medicare and Medicaid provisions, telehealth and hospital-at-home programs.

Lawmakers are blocking the implementation of the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) sequester which would have required a 4% cut to Medicare payments. In addition, both the Medicare Dependent Hospital and enhanced low-volume adjustment programs are extended for two years. The Medicare hospital-at-home program and pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities are also extended for two years. There is a one-year delay in lab payment changes stemming from the Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014.

Regarding Medicaid, the package separates the enhanced federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) and the Medicaid eligibility maintenance of effort from the declaration of the Public Health Emergency. Beginning in April, states may remove those who no longer qualify for Medicaid, regardless of when the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. The enhanced FMAP, currently a 6.2% addition to state Medicaid matching rates, is gradually phased out through 2023. These changes help fund a year of continuous coverage provisions for children at risk of losing health insurance and standardizing 12 months of postpartum coverage.

Passage of the final legislation is likely to happen by midnight on Dec. 23, 2022. The bill text is public, giving high likelihood to the healthcare provisions outlined above. However, there is a possibility for last-minute changes.

For more information about the year-end omnibus legislation contact Laura Appel at the MHA.

Appel Discusses REHs with WOOD TV8

MHA In The News
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV8.

WOOD TV8 published a story Dec. 12 on the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 183, which includes language allowing rural emergency hospital (REH) licensure in Michigan. The bill passed Dec. 6 with overwhelming support in both the State House and Senate following collaboration between the MHA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Whitmer administration on making the necessary changes in state statute to allow for the new federal designation.

Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, spoke with WOOD TV8 on the bill and the challenges rural hospitals face which led to the creation of the federal REH designation. Appel discussed the high fixed costs associated with maintaining inpatient services and the financial reimbursement benefits offered to REHs.

“If your population goes down, your fixed costs don’t go down, but Medicare is going to continue to help you with those,” said Appel. “Regardless of where you are, if you’re a hospital in financial stress or if you’re a hospital that doesn’t want to become financially stressed … you have all of those things working in your favor.”

The MHA also received mentions in stories published Dec. 15, including one from Michigan Radio on the surge of respiratory illnesses being treated by Michigan’s pediatric hospitals and from Bridge on the increase of flu-related hospitalizations in the state.

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

Headline Roundup: Hospital Viability

MHA In The News
Brian Peters

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. Stories include comments from MHA CEO Brian Peters, MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel and MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that includes interviews or statements from MHA representatives.

Sunday, Dec. 11

Friday, Dec. 9

Thursday, Dec. 8

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Tuesday, Dec. 6

Monday, Dec. 5

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

 

Media Recap: Pediatric RSV Surge

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Laura Appel

Laura AppelThe MHA received media coverage during the weeks of Nov. 21 and 28 on the capacity status of hospital pediatric units amid the surge of hospitalized pediatric patients with respiratory illnesses driven by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

The Detroit Free Press published an article Nov. 23 on the status of hospitals throughout the state caring for a large number of children and requests made by hospitals to add additional licensed beds. Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy, MHA, is quoted in the story on how staffing challenges continue to hamper hospitals, even for those with declining pediatric patient census.

“It’s worth noting that even where hospitalizations have receded, many of our members continue to face severe space and staffing challenges,” said Appel

Additional stories were published by The Detroit News, The Center Square and Chief Healthcare Executive.

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