Tag: Lauren LaPine

MHA Monday Report June 24, 2024

Monday Report

Help Protect 340B in Michigan: MHA Action Alert Available

Hospitals throughout Michigan rely on savings from the 340B Prescription Drug Pricing Program every day to spread scarce resources and care for those with limited or no access to healthcare. As manufacturers and other players at …

Registration Open for Workplace Violence Prevention Safe TableMHA Events

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) is hosting a Workplace Violence Prevention Safe Table from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 25 at the MHA Headquarters …

Update: Rural Cybersecurity Program

The White House held a briefing on June 14 with representatives from Google and Microsoft to elaborate on the cybersecurity program being offered to rural communities. These initiatives are designed to improve cybersecurity measures for rural hospitals across the United States …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights: Leadership at the System and Community Level

The June edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, includes insights from four governing board chairs who respond to questions about the opportunities and challenges for the current and future state of health care and what inspires them as they chart the course ahead …

MHA Podcast Explores the Role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Healthcare

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast exploring AI ‘s role in healthcare today and what it will look like in the future. The episode features Bruce Brandes, president of Care.ai and Monica Holmes, a PhD candidate in bioinformatics at the University of Michigan and a current member of the MHA AI Task Force …

The Keckley Report

The Healthcare Economy: Three Key Takeaways that Frame Public and Private Sector Response

“The health economy is expanding above the overall rates of population growth, overall inflation and the U.S. economy’s GDP.  Its long-term sustainability is in question unless monetary policies enable other industries to grow proportionately and/or taxpayers agree to pay more for its services. These data confirm its unit costs and prices are problematic.

As Campaign 2024 heats up with the economy as its key issue, promises to contain health spending, impose price controls, limit consolidation and increase competition will be prominent. Public sector actions will likely feature state initiatives to lower cost and spend taxpayer money more effectively. Private sector actions will center on employer and insurer initiatives to increase out of pocket payments for enrollees and reduce their choices of providers.

Thus, these reports paint a cautionary picture for the health economy going forward. Each sector will feel cost-containment pressure and each will claim it is responding appropriately. Some actually will. …”

Paul Keckley, June 17, 2024

News to Know

  • The MHA is hosting office hours virtually from 2 to 3 p.m. every Thursday through June 27 to assist hospitals in completing an application for The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care Verification. Members with questions about office hours should contact Ewa Panetta.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth will host a free webinar for members on June 26.

Update: Rural Cybersecurity Program

Issues in Healthcare

The White House held a briefing on June 14 with representatives from Google and Microsoft to elaborate on the cybersecurity program being offered to rural communities. These initiatives are designed to improve cybersecurity measures for rural hospitals across the United States.

Microsoft is extending its nonprofit program to provide rural hospitals with up to a 75% discount on productivity and security solutions, including Microsoft Office 365. Larger hospitals already using Microsoft Office 365 will receive a year of advanced security solutions at no extra cost. Additionally, Microsoft is offering free security assessments for rural hospitals to identify vulnerabilities and strategic guidance for addressing them. They are also providing training and skill-building opportunities for IT and compliance employees. Microsoft is committed to collaborating closely with rural hospitals and has initiated an innovation lab to explore technology solutions for streamlining processes like revenue recapture. Hospitals interested in participating can register through the Microsoft Cybersecurity Program for Rural Hospitals intake form, which is available online.

Google is launching several initiatives to enhance cybersecurity for rural hospitals. They will provide endpoint security advice free of charge and offer funding to support software migration. Google will initiate a pilot program with rural hospitals to develop customized security capabilities tailored to their unique needs. Furthermore, Google is investing in cybersecurity clinics, educational institutions to assist small and underserved rural health systems. These clinics will educate students and provide direct support to rural hospitals. They will offer Chrome Enterprise Premium and Chrome OS Flex to rural health systems in the United States, as well as consulting services and financial assistance. Google Workspace, their collaboration and productivity suite, will be provided to rural health systems with AI security add-ons, facilitating zero trust implementation and ensuring all threats coming through email are detonated in the cloud. Additionally, Google is partnering with Mandiant to offer on-demand training courses and mentorship programs through the health ISAC to enhance threat intelligence skills and information sharing within the healthcare sector. Finally, Google plans to pilot a consulting program for five rural health systems, focusing on developing refined security technologies and services tailored to their needs. Interested parties can contact rural-health@google.com for more information or to participate in these programs.

The federal government is taking action to support healthcare cybersecurity through initiatives like the Department of Health and Human Services’ cybersecurity gateway website, which offers guidance and best practices. Additionally, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health is investing over $50 million to develop tools for patching software vulnerabilities in healthcare systems.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report June 17, 2024

Monday Report

Cybersecurity Resources Available to Assist Rural Hospitals

The White House announced collaborative efforts June 10 aimed at strengthening cybersecurity for rural hospitals across the United States. Through this collaboration, Microsoft and Google announced a series of initiatives to provide free or discounted …

New Drug Linked to Overdose Deaths Across Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is warning Michigan residents and healthcare providers about medetomidine, a new drug identified in overdose deaths across the state. Medetomidine is a veterinary tranquilizer, similar to …

New Endorsed Business Partner Vault Verify Provides HR Data Solutions

The MHA’s Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) program promotes industry-leading firms. The EBP program connects member hospitals to solutions that alleviate pain points. The MHA recently endorsed Vault Verify, which is a leader in automated employment …

COMPACT Act Expands Emergent Suicide Care to Veterans

Effective January 2023, section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 allows eligible veterans to receive emergent suicide care in any Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility …

Protecting Community-based Care Through 340BMHA Rounds graphic, indicating thought leadership blog style post. Featuring Elizabeth Kutter pictured, woman with blonde hair smiling on the right.

Right now, a low-income patient in Northern Michigan is picking up a drug at a discounted price that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. In another corner of the state, a cancer patient is receiving lifesaving treatment …

The Keckley Report

Can Medical Schools be Part of the Physician Discontent Solution?

“Friday, the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association began their Annual Meeting in Chicago where payment reforms will headline the meeting and resolutions to strengthen the profession voted on by the 1000 attendees. This meeting falls on the heels of welcome attention from Congress which seems sympathetic to physician pay issues as documented most recently in the Senate Finance Committee’s White Paper on Physician payment reforms. …

Modernizing medical school training to better prepare physicians for practice in the 21 century is needed in medical schools. As Deans are reducing lectures, implementing collaborative instructional methods, incorporating technology-enabled clinical decision support tools, expanding team-based learning experiences and expanding student exposure to non-hospital-based practice environments, resources should also be invested to prepare students to operate effectively as leaders and managers. …”

Paul Keckley, June 10, 2024

News to Know

  • MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled June 19 in honor of Juneteenth.
  • The MHA is hosting office hours virtually from 2 to 3 p.m. every Thursday through June 27 to assist hospitals in completing an application for The Joint Commission’s Maternal Levels of Care  Verification.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth will host two free webinars for members to register.

Cybersecurity Resources Available to Assist Rural Hospitals

Member News

The White House announced collaborative efforts June 10 aimed at strengthening cybersecurity for rural hospitals across the United States. Through this collaboration, Microsoft and Google announced a series of initiatives to provide free or discounted cybersecurity services.

Microsoft is extending its nonprofit program to offer grants and up to a 75% discount on security products tailored for smaller organizations, such as independent Critical Access Hospitals and Rural Emergency Hospitals. Larger rural hospitals already using eligible Microsoft solutions will receive the most advanced security suite at no additional cost for one year. Additionally, Microsoft will provide free cybersecurity assessments and training to frontline and IT staff in eligible rural hospitals. Microsoft will also extend security updates for Windows 10 to participating hospitals for one year at no cost.

Google will provide rural hospitals and non-profit organizations with endpoint security advice at no cost, along with funding to support software migration. Furthermore, Google will launch a pilot program with rural hospitals to develop customized security capabilities tailored to their unique needs. More information on these programs is forthcoming.

The American Hospital Association released a special bulletin June 10 summarizing these efforts.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

COMPACT Act Expands Emergent Suicide Care to Veterans

Member News

Effective January 2023, section 201 of the Veterans Comprehensive Prevention, Access to Care and Treatment (COMPACT) Act of 2020 allows eligible veterans to receive emergent suicide care in any Veterans Affairs (VA) or non-VA facility at no cost. The COMPACT Act requires reimbursement for any emergent suicide care provided to eligible veterans.

Veterans are not required to be enrolled in the VA system to use this benefit. The COMPACT Act will expand eligibility to an additional nine million unenrolled veterans and ensures all veterans in acute suicidal crisis have access to needed services.

Additional hospital-specific implications of the COMPACT Act are outlined below:

  • Hospital emergency departments that have a veteran experiencing an acute suicidal crisis should contact the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) National Emergency Reporting Center as soon as possible, preferably within 72 hours by calling the VA emergency notification number at 1-844-72HRVHA (1-844-724-7842) or through the VA emergency care reporting portal.
  • Community hospitals must submit claims for reimbursement to the VA within 180 days for care given during an acute suicidal crisis. Any other medical and or mental healthcare provided at a community hospital’s emergency department, beyond the designated suicidal ideation and acute crisis, falls under the VHA 72-hour emergency care notification and reporting requirements.
  • Additional training for hospital staff to assist veterans in suicidal crisis or those who are having thoughts of suicide are encouraged are encouraged to sign up for a VA S.A.V.E training, either online or in-person training.

Members may refer to the IVC Fact Sheet for more information about the COMPACT Act, which includes details on eligibility, program benefits, available services, definitions and frequently asked questions. Contact information for Michigan VA hospitals and additional veteran resources are available through the Choose VA resource.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine 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.

Governor Signs Telehealth Parity & Behavioral Health Licensing Clarification Bills

Member News

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 payment parity for telehealth services and protections for telemedicine access through Medicaid and state regulated insurance products. The bills support a provider’s ability to serve patients and protect in-person visits that are vital to health outcomes.

Public Act 50 of 2024 (originally Senate Bill 227), sponsored by Sen. Dan Lauwers (R-Brockway), was supported by the MHA and updates the state’s child caring institution licensing laws to align with emergency intervention language used in the Mental Health Code. Specifically, this legislation is important to any facility interested in becoming licensed as a Pediatric Residential Treatment Facility and creates additional alignment between the Mental Health Code and the licensing structure for child caring institutions.

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

MDHHS Distributes Funding to Michigan Universities to Support Behavioral Health Workforce

Member News

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 (BSW) to Master of Social Work (MSW) degree program with a focus on behavioral health.

This initiative aims to address the growing demand for qualified professionals in the field and strengthen the pipeline of mental health practitioners in the state.

BSW students will receive a one-time stipend of $30,000 through the program. In exchange, they must commit to enrolling in a fulltime MSW degree program and agree to working for at least two years of full-time employment in public sector behavioral health in Michigan upon graduation. These stipends will enable up to 150 students to obtain their MSW degree.

The following Michigan universities received funding:

  • Andrew University
  • Eastern Michigan University
  • Grand Valley State University
  • Madonna University
  • Michigan State University
  • Northern Michigan University
  • Oakland University
  • Saginaw Valley State University
  • Spring Arbor University
  • University of Michigan
  • Wayne State University

Members with questions may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report May 27, 2024

Monday Report

Governor Signs Mental Health Parity Law and Other Legislative Updates

Gov. Whitmer signed Michigan’s first mental health parity law May 21. The bipartisan legislation requires insurance coverage for mental health and substance use disorder treatments at the same level as physical health services. Senate Bill …

Deadline Approaching for MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship

Applications for the 2024 – 2025 MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship, held from October 2024 through June 2025, are due June 28. Governing board members enrolled in the fellowship will learn how to frame problems …

MHA Webinar Reviews Workplace Safety and Privacy Laws

The MHA Health Foundation is hosting the Balancing Workplace Safety Privacy Laws webinar scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon, June 11. The webinar will address how hospitals balance the safety, security and privacy of patients, …

 

Collaborating to Address EMS Challenges

Following National EMS Week, it’s important to recognize how we can continue to support the dedicated teams providing lifesaving care every day to Michigan patients and communities. In my role as director of health policy …

Deadline to Register for MHA Workforce Recruitment Models Webinar

Registration closes May 29 for the MHA webinar Recruitment Models that Grow a Strong and Patient-Centered Workforce scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. May 30. The webinar highlights the MHA Person & Family Engagement Roadmap, …

The Keckley Report

Hospital Price Transparency: Is the Juice worth the Squeeze?

“Academic researchers and economists have concluded that hospital price transparency has not led to reduced heath spending overall nor lower hospital prices. Per a recent systematic review: “No evidence was found for impact on the outcomes volume, availability or affordability. The overall lack of evidence on policies promoting price transparency is a clear call for further research…  Price-aware patients chose less costly services that led to out-of-pocket cost savings and savings for health insurers; however, these savings did not translate into reductions in aggregate healthcare spending.  Disclosure of list prices had no effect, however disclosure of negotiated prices prompted supply-side competition which led to decreases in prices for shoppable services.”

Per Wall Street Journal actuaries, hospital price increases account for 23% of annual health spending increases but vary widely based on factors other than their underlying costs. Determining how hospital prices are set remains beyond the scope of conventional pricing models. …

Is the Juice worth the Squeeze for hospital price transparency efforts? To date, proponents say yes, opponents say no, and each side has valid concern about use by consumers. But unless one believes the role of consumers as purchasers and users of the system’s service will diminish in coming years, the safe bet is hospital price transparency will play a bigger role. …”

Paul Keckley, May 20, 2024

News to Know

MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled May 27 in honor of Memorial Day.