Tag: legislative policy panel

House Campaign Committee Chairs Address Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
House Campaign Committee Chairs Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) and Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) present during the MHA Legislative Policy Panel meeting.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center May 15 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by presentations from each political party’s House Campaign Committee Chair. Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) represented the Republications and Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) presented for the Democrats. Each lawmakers highlighted the importance of the upcoming election, as all 110 Michigan House of Representatives seats will be on the ballot.

Regarding action items, the panel made two recommendations. The first is for the MHA to support House Bills (HB) 4746 to expand the range of healthcare professionals who can testify that a patient required Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) and modifies the procedures for diverting individuals charged with misdemeanor offenses to AOT. The panel also recommends the MHA continues to work to ensure patient safety and equitable access is protected, including a collaboration with hospitals, in legislation that proposes the integration of community midwifery care into the healthcare continuum.

The panel received additional updates on state legislative activities regarding Medicaid funding, the state budget and the state workforce.

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

MHA Monday Report March 18, 2024

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Legislative Policy Panel Recommends Policy Positions

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 13 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters on the MHA strategic action plan. …

National Rural Health Association Funding Opportunities Available

The National Rural Health Association recently announced two new funding opportunities to support initiatives that will improve healthcare access in rural communities. The Rural Utilities Service, a Rural Development agency of the United States Department of Agriculture …

MHA Unemployment Compensation Program Receives National Recognition

The MHA Unemployment Compensation Program (UCP) was recognized by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) March 14 for the MHA UCP’s commitment to utilizing the NASWA’s nationwide, web-based system SIDES …

Applications Open for Excellence in Governance Fellowship

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2024-2025 Excellence in Governance Fellowship, which will be held from October 2024 through June 2025. The MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship is available to healthcare board members looking for innovative, …

Secure Your Spot: Register Now for the 2024 Communications Retreat

Registration remains open for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled Tuesday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. Current registration includes representation from hospitals and health systems throughout the state. The MHA Communications …

The Keckley Report

Has U.S. Healthcare reached its Tipping Point?

“I believe the U.S. health system as we know it has reached its tipping point. The big-name organizations in every sector see it and have nominal contingency plans in place; the smaller players are buying time until the shoe drops. But I am worried. …

It’s time to start an adult conversation about the future of the system. The starting point: acknowledging that it’s not about bad people; it’s about systemic flaws in its design and functioning. Fixing it requires balancing lag indicators about its use, costs and demand with assumptions about innovations that hold promise to shift its trajectory long-term. It requires employers to actively participate: in 2009-2010, Big Business mistakenly chose to sit out deliberations about the Affordable Care Act. And it requires independent, visionary facilitation free from bias and input beyond the DC talking heads that have dominated reform thought leadership for 6 decades. …”

Paul Keckley, March 11, 2024

News to Know

  • Members are encouraged to register for a free webinar from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. ET March 20 to learn why onsite risk assessments are important.
  • The MHA will host a webinar with ModusOne Health to help members maximize quality metrics and reimbursements from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET on March 27.

Legislative Policy Panel Recommends Policy Positions

Member News
Adnan Munkarah, Chair of the MHA Legislative Policy Panel leads March 13 Meeting on Zoom.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 13 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting began with an update from MHA CEO Brian Peters on the MHA strategic action plan. Peters reviewed progress the association has made on key priorities, paying particular attention to those items related to advocacy and policy. Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs followed Peters to provide a federal update, covering the Change Healthcare cyberattack response and government funding.

Regarding action items, the panel made two recommendations. The first is for the MHA to support House Bills (HBs) 5184 and 5185, which would remove the examination requirement for social work licensure, remove post-degree experience for bachelor’s-level and master’s-level social workers and streamline social worker provider types. The panel also recommends the MHA support HB 4361, which would allow a living organ donor to claim a one-time, non-refundable tax credit to recognize costs associated with organ donation.

The panel received additional updates on state legislative activities regarding Medicaid funding, end-of-life care and the healthcare workforce.

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