House Campaign Committee Chairs Address Legislative Policy Panel

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 April 22, 2024

MHA Monday Report

MHA Annual Membership Meeting Registration Opens

MHA Annual Meeting logoRegistration is now open for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 26 through 28 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The annual meeting will feature an outstanding …

 


MHA Webinars Share Ways Virtual Care and New Recruitment Models Support PFE

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The April edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), focuses on the value nurse leaders bring to the governing board. An article outlines information from several studies citing how nurses promote health equity …


The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley8 Reasons Hospitals must Re-think their Future

“Last Monday, CMS announced the base payment rate it will pay Medicare Advantage plans in 2025: plans will see an average 3.7%, or $16 billion, increase in payments once risk scores are factored in but a cut to base payments of 0.16% since 2025 risk scores were expected to be 3.86%. That’s the math. …

These rules are a big deal. CMS appears poised to challenge the industry’s formidable strengths and force changes.

Together, these rules will disrupt day to day operations in every MA plan, intensify friction with providers over network design, coverage and reimbursement negotiations and confuse enrollees who might have to pay more or change plans. …”

Paul Keckley, April 15, 2024


News to Know

  • The results of special elections conducted April 16 restores the two-person Democratic majority in the Michigan House of Representatives with the elections of Mai Xiong (D-Warren) in the 13th House District and Peter Herzberg (D-Westland) in the 25th House District.
  • Healthcare leaders are encouraged to nominate a colleague who advances health equity for the New Detroit Just Lead: Advancing Racial Equity 2024 Leadership Award.

MHA in the News

The Detroit News published an article April 15 on all Michigan projects that were earmarked in the final government spending bill for 2024, which included $756,000 for the MHA Keystone Center to support the development and deployment of evidence-based best practices and hands-on training to nursing home staff for the prevention of infections. …

MHA Monday Report April 15, 2024

MHA Monday Report

capitol buildingMichigan Legislature Introduces Behavioral Health Bills

The Michigan Legislature introduced several bills recently related to behavioral health. The bills are a result of MHA advocacy activity that supports the behavioral health section of the MHA Strategic Action Plan. Each of the …


MHA Board Uplifts Funding for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA Board of Trustees continued work on advancement of the 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan at its April 10 meeting, with focus on its four pillars: workforce support and innovation, viability, improved behavioral healthcare and …


$10 Million Grant Available for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA and the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health recently secured a new state grant to support birthing hospitals. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is providing $10 million for hospitals …


MHA Publishes Guardianship Guide for Providers and Patients

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CMS Releases FY 25 Hospital IPPS Proposed Rule

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MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series Navigates Challenges

The MHA is hosting a five-part webinar series to provide hospital staff with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s behavioral health system and the hospital’s role in connecting patients with care. These webinars are part of …


MDHHS Announces Medicaid Rebid Contract Awardees

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) announced April 8 Medicaid program contract awardees for the contract that begins Oct. 1, 2024. Nine health plans were awarded contracts to cover Medicaid services for …


Addressing Disparities in Maternal Care: A Conversation During Black Maternal Health Week

In observance of Black Maternal Health Week this April 11-17, Carlie Austin, maternal infant health policy specialist, MHA, and Sarah Scranton, vice president, safety & quality and executive director, MHA Keystone Center, share the importance …


Register Today for 2024 Communications Retreat

There is still time to register for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, May 7, at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. Current registration includes representation …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyCMS Medicare Advantage Final Rules: Why 2025 will be Significantly Different for Plans, Enrollees and Providers

“Last Monday, CMS announced the base payment rate it will pay Medicare Advantage plans in 2025: plans will see an average 3.7%, or $16 billion, increase in payments once risk scores are factored in but a cut to base payments of 0.16% since 2025 risk scores were expected to be 3.86%. That’s the math. …

These rules are a big deal. CMS appears poised to challenge the industry’s formidable strengths and force changes.

Together, these rules will disrupt day to day operations in every MA plan, intensify friction with providers over network design, coverage and reimbursement negotiations and confuse enrollees who might have to pay more or change plans. …”

Paul Keckley, April 8, 2024


News to Know

Members are encouraged to register for the 2024 MHA Graduate Medical Education Capitol Day, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center by April 19.


MHA in the News

Michigan Advance “Micheconomy” columnist Rick Haglund published a column April 7 that focuses on the large role education and healthcare have in Michigan’s economy. It specifically references the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s annual Economic …

MHA Board Uplifts Funding for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA Board of Trustees continued work on advancement of the 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan at its April 10 meeting, with focus on its four pillars, which include workforce support and innovation, viability and improved behavioral healthcare. Opposition to government mandated staffing ratios remains a top priority for the association within the workforce pillar, as it has been shown to be a harmful approach to addressing workforce shortages. Instead, the association supports specific measures to address educational barriers, support innovation and grow the talent pipeline.

The board recognized the work within the viability pillar through the MHA and the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health partnership to secure $10 million in state grant funding to assist Michigan’s birthing hospitals to pay for new mandatory state Maternal Level of Care (MLC) verifications. Pending state legislation will require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to register each birthing hospital’s MLC verification. Under the terms of the grant, the MDHHS will provide funding for birthing hospitals that fully participate in MI-AIM and complete an application to participate in the MLC verification through The Joint Commission (TJC). Funding per hospital will range from $50,000-$400,000 this fiscal year and the MHA Keystone Center will fund TJC fees. More information will be provided in an upcoming member webinar.

The board also received the final report from the Community Access to Health Task Force and endorsed converting the task force into a standing Council on Community Access to Health for the 2024-2025 program year to continue the work of the board to ensure that high quality and safe care is available for everyone. The board recognized the association’s work in furtherance of behavioral health priorities through continued input on behavioral health legislation, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and the hosting of its ongoing five-part behavioral health member webinar series.

Lastly, the board approved new member applications from R1 RCM, Origami and Bay Street Orthopedics and Spine.

Members with questions about the MHA Board of Trustees may contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

MDHHS Director Hertel Presents at MHA Board Meeting

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Elizabeth Hertel presented an overview of her department’s key priorities to the MHA Board of Trustees at their Feb. 7 meeting. Hertel shared ongoing efforts to provide appropriate behavioral health services to help reduce emergency department visits and suitable care transfers. Hertel also identified child welfare, food insecurity and other social determinants that contribute to a community’s health status as priorities identified in the Governor’s Fiscal Year (FY) , released the same day as the Board’s meeting. 

The Board also continued work on supporting the 2023-2024 MHA Strategic Action Plan, which outlines the association’s priorities for the program year and focuses on workforce support and innovation, viability and behavioral health. Within the viability pillar, the Board discussed Medicaid funding. Opposition to mandated staffing ratios remains a top priority for the association within the workforce pillar, as well as support for programs to strengthen educational access, recruitment, retention and workplace safety to grow and maintain talent.

Building from the discussion with Director Hertel on behavioral health challenges, the Board also reviewed the latest hospital survey data showing increased wait times and volumes for Medicaid patients in emergency departments and how that data may be used working with local Community Mental Health (CMH) services to address ongoing access problems. Finally, the MHA Health Equity Task Force indicated it is releasing its final report and recommendations for next steps at the April Board meeting.

The Board approved membership applications from Envision Physician Services, Scaled Data, LLC and Vault Verify.

Members with questions about the MHA Board of Trustees may contact  Amy Barkholz at the MHA.