Tag: lauren LaPine-Ray

MHA Monday Report Dec. 8, 2025

Monday Report, Member News

Stop the Bleed Legislation Advances, Preadmission Screening Bill Introduced

Legislation protecting good Samaritans who apply bleeding-control techniques passed the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, while a bill modifying timeline requirements for preadmission screening assessments of Medicaid patients was introduced during the …

CMS Releases 2026 Home Health PPS Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule updating the home health prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year 2026. Highlights of the rule include: An updated 30-day …

MDHHS Launches RHTP Listserv to Share Program Updates

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently launched a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) listserv to provide timely updates, announcements and resources related to the state’s implementation of the program. Hospitals, health …

Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours Launch

The MHA Health Access & Community Impact Office Hours series kicked off Nov. 24 with a session highlighting 211 and its role in addressing food access amid ongoing challenges related to food insecurity. Sarah Kile, …

Nominations Open for 2026 Michigan Hometown Health Hero Awards

The Michigan Public Health Week Partnership, a coalition of 13 statewide organizations that include the MHA, is seeking nominations by Friday, Dec. 19, for individuals and organizations that have contributed to improving the health and …

MHA Rounds graphic of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Dedicated to Care Every Day of the Year

During the holiday season, we look forward to annual traditions and time spent with loved ones. While many of us gather around our tables this season, we are all aware of individuals who sacrifice this special time …

Centering Lived Experiences to Improve Maternal Care: Reflections from the Birth Experience Project

Over the past year, I supported the Birth Experience Project, a mixed-methods study examining how Black women across Michigan experience pregnancy, labor and delivery, and postpartum care. As part of this effort, I assisted in analyzing …

Keckley Report

The 10 Healthcare Headlines you Might See in 2026

“2026 is a mid-term election year. In 2016 (Trump 45 Year One), Republicans controlled 31 governorships and 68 legislative chambers. This January, the GOP will control 26 governorships and 57 legislative chambers– a 15% reduction on both. Politics is divided, affordability matters most to voters and healthcare is a high-profile target for campaigns so humility, thoughtful messaging backed by demonstrable actions will be an imperative for every healthcare organization.

2026 is a HUGE year for U.S. healthcare. The outcome is unknown.”

Paul Keckley, Nov. 23, 2025

MDHHS Launches RHTP Listserv to Share Program Updates

Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently launched a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) listserv to provide timely updates, announcements and resources related to the state’s implementation of the program. Hospitals, health systems and rural partners are encouraged to subscribe to receive the latest information as the program develops.

The listserv will serve as the primary communication channel for MDHHS to share guidance, timelines, application materials, technical assistance and other program updates. Participation will be essential for organizations planning to engage in the RHTP, as well as for those tracking policy and funding developments that may affect rural care delivery.

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

Congressmen Bergman Supports Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act

Member News

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) recently co-sponsored H.R. 3684, the Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act of 2025, which would strengthen financial stability and access to care for rural hospitals and healthcare providers across the country.

Introduced by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) and Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), the bill would amend Titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act to provide enhanced Medicare and Medicaid payments to rural hospitals, critical access hospitals and other essential rural providers. The legislation addresses the ongoing challenges facing rural health systems, noting that more than 60 million Americans rely on rural hospitals for care and that more than 150 rural hospitals have closed nationwide since 2010.

The Save America’s Rural Hospitals Act outlines congressional findings underscoring the critical role rural hospitals play as access points for emergency and inpatient care, as well as the increasing risks of closure due to financial strain, workforce shortages and geographic barriers. The bill aims to improve reimbursement structures and sustain vital services for patients who otherwise face long distances and limited access to emergency care.

The MHA supports this legislation and will continue to review its potential implications for Michigan’s rural hospitals, providing updates as the bill advances through Congress.

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

 

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.

Congressman Bergman Co-Sponsors Critical Access Hospital Relief Act

Member News

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) recently co-sponsored HR. 538, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025, which would remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient services at critical access hospitals.

The bill, introduced in January 2025, would amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to eliminate the mandate that a physician certify that a Medicare patient may reasonably be expected to be discharged or transferred to a hospital within 96 hours after admission to the critical access hospital. The proposed change is intended to reduce administrative burden and increase operational flexibility for rural hospitals in managing patient care and staffing, particularly during transfer delays or capacity constraints.

The MHA supports this legislation and will continue to review its potential implications for Michigan’s critical access hospitals, providing updates as the bill advances through Congress.

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

Small or Rural Council Kicks Off 2025-26 Program Year

Member News

The MHA Small or Rural Hospital Council convened its first meeting of the 2025–26 program year, chaired by Ross Ramsey, MD, CEO, Scheurer Health. The meeting focused on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), state and federal budget updates, cybersecurity preparedness and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support rural hospitals.

Lauren LaPine-Ray, vice president, policy & rural health, MHA, began the meeting with a presentation on the RHTP, created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The RHTP is a $50 billion fund that was created in the act to support rural hospitals and transform the delivery of care. The MHA’s RHTP Taskforce developed and submitted recommendations to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for consideration as part of the state’s RHTP application due Nov. 5. It is not guaranteed that MDHHS will adopt these recommendations, but they reflect the top priorities identified by rural hospital leaders.

Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy, MHA, provided federal and state budget updates, outlining efforts to mitigate forthcoming Medicaid and ACA marketplace cuts, and protect critical hospital funding.

Angela McConnachie, CO-CEO, Aspire Rural Health System, shared lessons from a recent ransomware attack, emphasizing the need for multi-factor authentication, data protection and staff phishing education. To support members, the MHA announced a cybersecurity grant in partnership with CyberForce|Q, offering peer-learning sessions, HIPAA compliance guidance and vendor risk management tools.

Homeward Health presented on AI-based tools designed to automate insurance denial appeals, support patient outreach through predictive analytics and support revenue cycle work at rural hospitals. Homeward Health also highlighted their ARPA-H funding award to deploy AI-powered mobile units in rural areas to expand care access in underserved and maternity care–desert regions.

For more information on the MHA Small or Rural Hospital Council, members may contact Lauren LaPine-Ray at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 20, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

DIFS Releases Bulletin Protecting COVID-19 Vaccinations

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 …

McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital Nurse Honored with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center recognized Rachel Heise, BSN, RN at McLaren Greater Lansing Hospital, as its MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for the second quarter of 2025. The Speak-up! …

FBCM Hosts Inaugural Michigan Food as Medicine Summit

The Food Bank Council of Michigan (FBCM) brought together over 250 healthcare, community organization, government and other key industry leaders for the state’s inaugural Food as Medicine Summit. The two-day event aimed to build cross-sector …

MHA’s Lauren LaPine-Ray Recognized in 40 Under 40 in Public Health

Lauren LaPine-Ray, vice president, policy and rural health, has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 in Public Health in recognition of her work at the MHA. The de Beaumont Foundation announced the …

Rural Health Today Podcast on Breaking Down Barriers for Rural Health Providers

MHA Endorsed Business Partner ModusOne Health was recently featured on the Rural Health Today, hosted by JJ Hodshire, president and CEO, Hillsdale Hospital. The episode “Breaking Down Barriers for Rural Healthcare Providers with …

AHA Trustee Insights Highlights Aging Population and Cybersecurity Oversight

The October edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, highlights podcasts, videos, webinars and other resources on today’s most pressing issues. The issue examines the nation’s aging population and …

Keckley Report

Healthcare’s Biggest Blindspot: Household Financial Insecurity

“The U.S. health industry revolves around a flawed presumption: individuals and families are dependent on the health system to make health decisions on their behalf. It’s as basic as baseball and apple pie in our collective world view. …

Healthcare organizations must rethink their orientations to patients, enrollees and users. All must embrace consumer-facing technologies that empower individuals and households to shop for healthcare products and services deliberately. In this regard, some insurers and employers seem more inclined than providers and suppliers, but solutions are not widely available. And incentives to stimulate households to choose “high value” options are illusory. Data show carrots to make prudent choices work some, but sticks seem to stimulate shopping for most preference-sensitive products and services.

The point is this: the U.S. economy is slowing. Inflation is a concern and prices for household goods and necessary services are going up. The U.S. health industry can ill-afford to take a business-as-usual approach to how our prices are set and communicated, consumer debt collection (aka “rev cycle”) is managed and how capital and programmatic priorities are evaluated. …”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 12, 2025

New to KnowNews to Know

MHA Endorsed Business Partner Wakely recently released its quarterly insights including the white paper, ACO Foundations: Four Pillars for Successful Risk Management in Value-based Contracts.

MHA’s Lauren LaPine-Ray Recognized in 40 Under 40 in Public Health

Member News
Lauren LaPine

Lauren LaPineLauren LaPine-Ray, vice president, policy and rural health, has been recognized as one of the 40 Under 40 in Public Health in recognition of her work at the MHA. The de Beaumont Foundation announced the program’s Class of 2025 Oct. 14 after reviewing nominations from hundreds of leaders in public health. The new class was selected by a distinguished panel of public health professionals for their leadership and contributions to their community’s health.

“The 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 is a high-achieving, passionate group of professionals whose accomplishments and experience showcase the very best of the public health field,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “I look forward to working with them to advance health outcomes in communities across the nation.”

The MHA congratulates LaPine-Ray on this recognition, which reflects her leadership and commitment to advancing the health of individuals and communities. Her dedication to rural health and public policy supports the MHA’s mission and vision to achieve better care and better health through leadership and collaboration across Michigan’s healthcare community.

LaPine-Ray joined the MHA in 2021 and leads policy efforts supporting Michigan’s small and rural hospitals and behavioral health initiatives. She serves as staff secretary for the MHA Small or Rural Hospital Council, Behavioral Health Integration Council and Upper Peninsula Hospital Council, helping advance collaboration and policy development statewide. LaPine-Ray holds a Master of Public Health from Michigan State University and is pursuing a doctorate in public health from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

For more information about the 40 Under 40 in Public Health, including a full list of honorees, visit the de Beaumont Foundation website. Members with questions may contact the MHA.

Webinar Explores Partnerships to Advance Integrated Behavioral Healthcare

Member News

The Center of Excellence for Integrated Health Solutions and the American Hospital Association will host the webinar Advancing Integrated Care Via Collaborative Partnerships: Hospitals, Health Systems, Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), on Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 2 to 3 p.m. ET. Two behavioral health leaders from University Hospitals will share how the system integrated psychiatric care across medical service lines, offering a practical roadmap for collaboration with CMHCs and CCBHCs.

For hospital leaders, CMHC and CCBHC partnerships provide measurable benefits, faster emergency department handoffs, closed follow-up gaps, fewer avoidable readmissions, improved clinician satisfaction and progress on quality and cost goals. The webinar will focus on operational strategies such as memorandums of understanding, data sharing, billing and clinic workflows that teams can adapt immediately.

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