Tag: MHA CEO Brain Peters

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.

Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Medical Assistant and Nurse Receive Q1 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

Uncategorized, Patient Safety and Quality
Speak Up Award logo
Joni Hunter, MA, and Dorothy Zsenyuk, RN, at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Nurse Midwives pictured with MHA CEO Brian Peters and Sarah Scraton, MHA Keystone Center executive director.

The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) Keystone Center celebrated Joni Hunter, MA, and Dorothy Zsenyuk, RN, at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group Nurse Midwives Feb. 8 as Speak-up! Award recipients.

The quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm.

Hunter and Zsenyuk were honored for their proactive intervention during a routine visit with an obstetrics patient managing chronic hypertension. Hunter, knowing the risks associated with hypertension and pregnancy, noticed that weekly screenings were not integrated into the patient’s medical plan.

After notifying Zsenyuk and reviewing the patient’s medical record together, the pair acted.

“Instances like this are a perfect example of why it is important to review all aspects of a patient’s experience and care, even during routine visits,” said Hunter. “I am proud to work alongside colleagues like Dorothy to ensure we are taking all precautions necessary for both the birthing person and baby.”

Zsenyuk and Hunter were able to connect with the patient’s midwife, which led to the patient receiving weekly laboratory tests and monitoring.

“Joni was an incredible advocate for our patient,” said Zsenyuk. “I am honored we were able to provide our patient and her midwife with the tools needed to make an informed decision about her care plan for the duration of her pregnancy.”

In addition to the weekly testing, the patient was referred to Maternal Fetal Medicine for a consult.

“Joni and Dorothy’s action are a direct reflection of the standards we hold ourselves to at Trinity Health IHA Medical Group,” said Cindy Elliott, Trinity Health IHA Medical Group president. “We are incredibly honored to have dedicated clinical staff like them working with our patients each and every day.”

Additional award finalists for the first quarter of 2024 include:

  • Amanda Frescura, University of Michigan Health-West.
  • Sydnie Gray, Trinity Health IHA Medical Group.
  • Brooke Maguire, MyMichigan Hospital Midland.

“It’s an honor to celebrate Michigan healthcare workers who are setting the standard for excellent patient care,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters. “We’re fortunate to have people like Joni and Dorothy who intervened and led this patient to the preventative, life-saving care they needed.”

More information about the MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award, including criteria and a nomination form, are available online.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 29, 2024

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

Senate Health Policy Chair Presents to Legislative Policy Panel

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met Jan. 24 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-Saint …

Register for the MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series

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 …

MHA CEO Brian Peters on JR' Morning with Guy Gordon, Jamie Edmonds and LLoyd Jackson.

Peters Featured on WJR Live from Lansing Broadcast

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR 760 AM’s JR’ Morning with Guy Gordon, Jamie Edmonds, and Lloyd Jackson’s “Live from Lansing” broadcast Jan. 25 as part of the station’s annual coverage of legislative …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines the Board’s Role in Safety and Workforce

The January edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes articles on quality, safety and workforce. As healthcare becomes more complex, boards struggle to effectively oversee quality, and the …

Three Key Takeaways from Michigan’s Social Determinants of Health Summit

In my role as Maternal Infant Health Policy Specialist at the MHA, one of my main goals has been to utilize my expertise to inspire health equity for marginalized birthing persons and their children and to build relationships that strengthen my impact and purpose. Attending the second annual …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Holy War between Health Insurers and Hospitals: Intensifying but No End in Sight

“Last Wednesday, FTI released its year-end 2023 summary of insurer-hospital disputes: it reported a 69% increase from 2022 in conflicts where formal negotiations broke down reached based on media coverage in 34 states. The majority of the 86 instances involved Medicare Advantage coverage or reimbursement issues and referral relationships with doctors and hospitals were disrupted, at least temporarily. …

The challenges facing the health system—accessibility, affordability, effectiveness– cut across every sector. They’ll not be solved by one acting alone. And sacred cows protected by both will need to be slaughtered to create the better new normal desired by a significant majority of taxpayers and elected officials. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 22, 2024

MHA Monday Report Jan. 8, 2024

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MHA Partners with AAPL for CME Courses

The MHA is pleased to partner with the American Association for Physician Leadership (AAPL) to provide a series of in-person Continuing Medical Education (CME) courses in 2024 at the MHA headquarters at 2112 University Park Drive, Okemos, MI …

The Joint Commission Revises Definition of Suicide in Sentinel Event Policy

The Joint Commission has updated the definition of suicide in its Sentinel Event Policy to include time frames with the highest risk for suicide and highlight the healthcare organization’s continued responsibility for ongoing assessment …

MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage to Include CHW Services and Releases Beginner Guide

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an expansion of Medicaid coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024 to include community health worker (CHW) services. The MDHHS also issued a final policy establishing this coverage for Medicaid …

Nominations Open for Hometown Health Heroes Award

The MHA is pleased to sponsor Michigan Public Health Week, scheduled for April 10, 2024, with the theme of “Protecting, Connecting and Thriving: We Are All Public Health.” MHA members are encouraged to submit nominations …

MHA CEO Report — Vaccinations & Respiratory Illness Season

The last four years have generated tremendous awareness about vaccines, but also a large public health challenge as disinformation has exploded and anti-vaccine sentiment has emerged from the fringes to become widely embraced. This likely isn’t news to any of you, but the …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyAn Open Letter to Hospital Boards of Directors: Long-Term Strategic Planning needs Your Attention

As 2023 comes to an end and prognostics for 2024 pepper Inboxes, high anxiety is understandable. The near-term environment for hospitals, especially public hospitals and not-for-profit health systems, is tepid at best: despite the November uptick in operating margins to 2% (Fitch, Syntellis), the future for hospitals is uncertain and it’s due to more than payer reimbursement, labor costs and regulatory changes. …

Hospitals are not alone in dealing with money-driven pressures that seem out of sync with lofty aims like ‘student athletes’ and ‘community benefits.’ That’s why hospitals must embrace long-term strategic planning with an outside-in frame of reference now.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 1, 2024

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage over the holidays during the weeks of Dec. 18, Dec. 25 and Dec. 31. Topics covered include the healthcare workforce, the MHA Keystone Center, air ambulance services and a review …

MHA Monday Report Dec. 18, 2023

Monday Report
MHA Monday Report

MDHHS Expands Medicaid Coverage to Include CHW Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an expansion of Medicaid coverage effective Jan. 1, 2024 to include community health worker (CHW) services. The MDHHS also issued a final policy establishing …

Hospital-based Substance Use Disorder Consultation Reimbursement Coverage

Physicians and other qualified practitioners will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) consultations in the inpatient hospital or emergency department setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. These services include assessment, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals during …

Coverage of Office-based Substance Use Treatment Services

Primary healthcare providers will be reimbursed for substance use disorder (SUD) treatments that are provided in an office-based primary care setting effective Jan. 1, 2024. This applies to providers who do not have a specialty SUD benefit services contract with a Prepaid .…

Guide and Action Plan Created to Support Health Equity Programming

As strides are made to address inequities and disparities in healthcare, governing and regulatory bodies including The Joint Commission and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have created guidelines, benchmarks and policies that evolve over time. The MHA Keystone …

Enrollment Deadline Friday for MHA Governance Affinity Group

The deadline to enroll a trustee in the new MHA Governance Affinity Group is Friday, Dec. 22. The benefits of a well-run meeting go beyond parliamentary procedure. Proper communication and facilitation skills needed to make decisions about strategic issues drive performance and .…

Hospital Vaccine Resources Available

The MHA is at the forefront of advocating for vaccination awareness and education, particularly focusing on the challenges associated with the Beyfortus (nirsevimab) monoclonal antibody for infants entering their first respiratory syncytial virus season. The association is …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines the Board’s Role in Patient Experience

The December edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article on the board’s role in patient experience. The average hospital has turned over 105% of its workforce in the last five years and national …

The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyThe Affordable Care Act is Back on Stage: What to Expect

“In the last 2 weeks, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been inserted itself in Campaign 2024 by Republican aspirants for the White House …

It’s no surprise. Health costs and affordability rank behind the economy as top issues for Republican voters per the latest Kaiser Tracking Poll. And distaste with the status quo is widespread and bipartisan: per the Keckley Poll (October 2023), 70% of Americans including majorities in both parties and age-cohorts under 65 think “the system is fundamentally flawed and needs major change.” To GOP voters, the ACA is to blame. …

The ACA is back on the radar in U.S. healthcare. Stay tuned.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 10, 2023

News to Know

  • Clarence RuckerClarence Rucker, manager, patient safety and quality, MHA Keystone Center, is featured in COLOR Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Powerlist.
  • Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, and will resume its normal schedule Jan. 8.

 

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Dec. 11 related to post-secondary nurse degree programs and telehealth.

Healthcare Worker Safety Bills Signed into Law

Member News
Gov. Whitmer signed House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer.

Gov. Whitmer signed into law Dec. 6 House Bills 4520 and 4521, which increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer. Now referred to as Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023, the financial fines are doubled for those found guilty of assault towards a healthcare worker or volunteer.

The bills were signed as part of a ceremony held at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. The MHA joined a variety of healthcare organizations in attendance to celebrate this positive step in ensuring violence against healthcare workers is not tolerated.

The new laws also require the posting of signage at hospitals to inform individuals they may be subject to higher financial penalties if they assault a healthcare worker or volunteer. The MHA has new, updated signage available for MHA members to order at no cost. Hospitals will need to post compliant, updated signage in a conspicuous location by March 4, 2024. Hospitals may create and use their own signage but must ensure any updated signs meet the requirements of the new laws.

A press release was published by the Executive Office of the Governor, which includes a quote of support from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

While celebrating this accomplishment, the MHA will continue to work on more opportunities to protect the healthcare workforce from violence in the workplace and to improve the recruitment, retention and training of healthcare workers.

Members with questions on any of the bills should contact Adam Carlson or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.