Lenise Freeman - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Monday Report June 8, 2026

June 8, 2026June 5, 2026 Member News, Monday Report

House Judiciary Hears Testimony on Violence Against Healthcare Workers Legislation

Legislation addressing violence against healthcare workers heard testimony in the House Judiciary Committee during the week of June 1, while other MHA-backed bills saw action in the legislature. House Bills 4532–4534, which aim to …

MDHHS Finalizes Specialty Behavioral Health Services Location Policy

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently finalized Medicaid Policy Bulletin MMP 26-17, effective July 1, 2026, which clarifies reimbursement requirements for specialty behavioral health services provided through Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans …

MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage for Pharmacist-Provided Services

The MDHHS recently issued Medicaid Policy Bulletin MMP 26-20, expanding coverage for pharmacist-provided services effective July 1, 2026, pending approval of a state plan amendment by the Centers …

MDHHS Accepting Applications for Opioid Treatment Access Internship Stipend Program

The MDHHS is accepting applications through June 15 for the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Internship Program, which provides financial support to students completing unpaid internships that prepare them …

Workforce Resources and Webinar Available for Healthcare Providers

The MHA and Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare continue to support workforce strategies that improve access to care for hospitals and health systems. AMN will host a webinar, “Maximizing Every Dollar: Using AI and Data …

Michigan Hospitals Help Advance Care for Sickle Cell Patients

Michigan hospitals are committed to investing in efforts that advance the health of the patients and communities they serve every day. With grant funding from the MDHHS, the Bronson Health Foundation, Children’s Hospital …

MHA CEO Report — A Call to Strengthen Healthcare Through Collaboration

Our nation’s healthcare system is at a crossroads. Rising costs, workforce shortages and expanding patient needs are placing unprecedented pressure on hospitals and the communities that depend on them. Accepting this strain as status quo is not an option. …

The Keckley Report

In Healthcare: 10 Issues where States are Accelerating Policy Changes

“In the United States, laws that define how our health system operates have evolved over our 250-year history. They’re built on allopathic medical pedagogy borrowed from our European roots and evolve around clinical innovations and technologies that improve outcomes and extend life. …

Healthcare’s future in the U.S. will continue to be framed by federal policies and the political system from which its laws originate, but its transformational changes will increasingly originate in states where affordability, funding and system effectiveness issues are tackled head-on.”

Paul Keckley, May 31, 2026

News to Know

The MHA recently launched Always Caring, Always Advancing, a new multi-year, statewide public affairs campaign highlighting the powerful stories of caregivers and patients across Michigan.

MHA in the News

During the Mackinac Policy Conference MHA CEO Brian Peters sat down with leaders across the state to discuss advancing more collaborative, affordable and outcomes-driven care across Michigan. Peters joined Paula Cunningham, Michael Patrick Shields and …

MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage for Pharmacist-Provided Services

June 4, 2026June 5, 2026 Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently issued Medicaid Policy Bulletin MMP 26-20, expanding coverage for pharmacist-provided services effective July 1, 2026, pending approval of a state plan amendment by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The policy applies to Medicaid, the Healthy Michigan Plan, MIChild, Plan First and several additional Medicaid programs.

The policy aligns Medicaid coverage with Michigan’s expanded pharmacist scope of practice and allows qualified Medicaid-enrolled pharmacists to provide and bill for additional services, including:

Ordering and administering immunizations.
Ordering and administering certain laboratory tests such as COVID-19 and influenza.
Prescribing antiviral treatments based on test results.
Counseling on and prescribing self-administered hormonal contraceptives.

Pharmacists must meet enrollment, training and documentation requirements established by MDHHS.

According to MDHHS, the policy is intended to increase access to preventive and diagnostic services, support timely treatment of common conditions and improve access to care for Medicaid beneficiaries. Members are encouraged to review the bulletin for enrollment, billing and reimbursement requirements.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

MDHHS Finalizes Specialty Behavioral Health Services Location Policy

June 4, 2026June 5, 2026 Member News

The final policy encourages mental health and intellectual and developmental disability services to be provided in integrated community settings, including an individual’s home, when appropriate. The bulletin also clarifies coverage requirements for substance use disorder residential treatment services, nursing facilities, child-caring institutions and children’s therapeutic group homes. For children and youth, services should be provided in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs.

The final policy includes several changes from the proposed policy, including:

New requirements related to the coordination of Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment services for children residing in child-caring institutions.
Additional clarification regarding services available to children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Removal of a proposed section addressing Medicaid coverage in Institutions for Mental Diseases (IMDs).

The MHA submitted comments requesting clarification regarding covered services in nursing facilities, IMD coverage policies and reimbursement for services provided to children in child-caring institutions. While the final bulletin provides additional clarification, it does not address all the questions raised by the MHA.

Members impacted by specialty behavioral health service delivery and reimbursement requirements are encouraged to review the bulletin.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

MDHHS Accepting Applications for Opioid Treatment Access Internship Stipend Program

June 4, 2026June 5, 2026 Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is accepting applications through June 15 for the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Internship Program, which provides financial support to students completing unpaid internships that prepare them for careers in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment.

Eligible students pursuing degrees in social work, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, nursing or physician assistant studies may receive stipends of up to $20,000, depending on internship requirements. Participants must commit to providing SUD services to Michigan residents after graduation.

MDHHS has allocated $3.5 million for the program, which is funded through the Michigan Opioid Healing and Recovery Fund and could support up to 350 students. Additional eligibility requirements and application materials are available on the MDHHS website.

Members are encouraged to share this opportunity with eligible students and interns pursuing careers in substance use disorder treatment.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

Final Federal Loan Rule Maintains Narrow Professional Degree Definition

May 8, 2026 Member News

The U.S. Department of Education recently released a final rule implementing changes to federal student loan programs under the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) initiative. The final rule includes changes to graduate and professional student loan limits, repayment structures and loan rehabilitation policies.

The MHA submitted comments in opposition to portions of the proposed rule related to the definitions of “professional student” and “professional degree.”

The MHA raised concerns that the proposed framework could negatively impact healthcare workforce pipelines by limiting borrowing flexibility for certain graduate-level professions, including behavioral health providers, advanced practice nurses and allied health clinicians.

In the comment letter, the MHA emphasized that Michigan hospitals, particularly rural and critical access hospitals, rely heavily on master’s-level clinicians and advanced practice providers to sustain access to care in underserved communities. The MHA also highlighted ongoing workforce shortages affecting hospitals and behavioral systems in the state and nationwide.

While the Department acknowledged comments from healthcare and counseling stakeholders regarding workforce and affordability concerns, the final rule did not expand the definition of “professional student” or adopt the broader classification approach requested by the MHA. The Department stated that it remains confident in its classification of professional versus graduate degree programs.

Members with questions may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

MDHHS Gun Lock Distribution Map Expands Access to Safe Storage

April 30, 2026May 1, 2026 Member News

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) launched a new interactive Gun Lock Distribution Map to help residents locate free firearm safety devices and connect community partners with safe storage resources. The tool identifies more than 150 locations statewide where individuals can obtain free cable-style gun locks.

Free gun locks, provided through a partnership with the Michigan State Police, are purchased through Project ChildSafe, a national program focused on promoting responsible firearm ownership.

Community organizations, health providers, local governments and other partners can request gun lock supplies by completing an online form. Approved sites will be added to the statewide map and receive supplies directly.

Members are encouraged to visit the MDHHS secure storage webpage and download “The Talk” flyer to learn more about safe storage practices and available resources.

Members with question may contact Lenise Freeman at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026April 17, 2026 Member News, Monday Report

House Budget Proposal Advances; Other Hospital Bills See Action

Several healthcare bills, including mandatory nurse overtime, medical debt collections, prescribed pediatric extended care facilities and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget, saw action in the legislature during the week of April 13. The Michigan Senate voted in support …

MHA Unemployment Compensation Program Receives Fifth Consecutive Award for Outstanding Performance

The MHA Unemployment Compensation Program was recognized by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies April 17 for its continued commitment to using the State Information Data Exchange System to receive new claims and respond to …

Trinity Health Michigan Team Members Recognized with MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center recognized Camryn Smith and Alicia Evans, medical assistants at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipients. The Speak-up! Award …

MDHHS Convenes Statewide RHTP Advisory Council

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) convened the first Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Advisory Council meeting on April 13. Three rural hospital leaders from MHA-member hospitals serve on the council: Julie …

CMS Releases FY 2027 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service inpatient prospective payment system for fiscal year (FY) 2027. Highlights of the proposed rule include: …

LARA to Host Webinar on Proposed Psychiatric Hospital Licensing Rule Changes

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), through its Bureau of Community Health Systems, will host a webinar from 3 to 3:30 p.m., May 7, to review proposed updates to administrative rules …

MEJI Seeks Input on Guardianship Training Initiative

The Michigan Elder Justice Initiative (MEJI) is seeking feedback from members to help shape upcoming guardianship training. Members are encouraged to complete a brief survey to share input on what is needed, how it should …

Upcoming Opportunities to Prioritize Workplace Safety

As MHA CEO Brian Peters stated in his April CEO Report, it’s critical – especially during Workplace Violence Prevention Month – to prioritize the safety and well-being of healthcare workers. The MHA Keystone Center and …

Hospitals Help: Bronson Drives Change in Maternal and Infant Health

From prenatal care and labor and delivery to neonatal intensive care and postpartum follow-up, Bronson Healthcare plays a critical role in influencing health outcomes for mothers and babies across Southwest Michigan. In celebrating a historic …

Keckley Report

The AHA Annual Membership Meeting: Three Issues that Require Attention

“This weekend, the American Hospital Association will convene its 2026 Annual Membership Meeting in DC. Its purpose is to equip leaders to engage with lawmakers and government officials on issues of consequence to hospitals.

The agenda includes panels on age-friendly health systems, post-acute services, AI and more, interspersed with punditry from members of Congress and political commentators. It’s a federally-focused meeting at a time when the current administration has signaled distaste for healthcare and frustrations with hospitals. …

Key questions for hospitals: What does value mean in our organization? To whom is our value focus directed? Is quality in our organization an end in itself or a means to a financial result? Is participation in VBC projects helpful to our organization or is watchful waiting prudent?

The American Hospital Association, its state affiliates and its members face unprecedented challenges in 2026 and beyond. While attention is focused on short-term rules and regulations that protect hospital revenues (340B, site neutral payments, Medicaid cuts, et al), equal consideration is needed to the long-term role and scope of hospitals in emergent systems of health. That makes the AHA Board’s selection of retiring CEO Rick Pollock’s successor and the deliberation of the AHA Board about the long-term future for hospitals even more consequential.”

Paul Keckley, April 12, 2026