MHA CEO Brian Peters - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Strategic Action Plan to be Reviewed Nov. 9

September 29, 2023 Member News

In the new program year, the MHA continues to prioritize several critical issues, like financial viability, workforce, resilience and wellbeing, behavioral health and health equity.

The MHA will host a virtual membership meeting from 2 to 3 p.m. on Nov. 9 to outline the MHA 2023 – 2024 strategic action plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees. With presentations from MHA CEO Brian Peters and other MHA leaders, the forum will review the priorities and tactics to accomplish goals and how the membership can support these initiatives.

There is no cost to attend, but members are asked to register by Nov. 7. Access information for the virtual session will be sent Nov. 8.

Questions about the member forum can be directed to Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Sept. 11, 2023

September 11, 2023September 10, 2023 Monday Report

Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact Introduced in State House

Michigan House Bill 4935, also known as the Michigan Nurse Licensure Compact, was introduced in the state House on Aug. 24. Sponsored by Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) and supported by the MHA, the …

Reproductive Health Act Introduced in State Legislature

A package of 21 bills, referred to as the “Reproductive Health Act”, were introduced in the state House and Senate Sept. 7. The legislation introduces a variety of changes to Michigan’s laws on abortion. The changes …

MHA Awards Behavioral Health Grants

The MHA issued a request for proposals earlier this year for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by …

Webinar Teaches Ways to Amplify Contributions of Physician Board Members

The webinar Maximizing Contributions of Physician Board Members from noon to 1 p.m. EST Oct. 17 will guide attendees to utilize physician expertise related to advising on patient care decisions, the ethical considerations around biomedical, …

Critical Access Hospital Infection Control Opportunity

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and its subsidiary organizations, APIC Consulting Services and the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, have joined together to launch the APIC Health Equity …

Three Upcoming MHA Workforce Webinars Provide Continuing Education

The MHA and other state hospital associations are hosting three workforce webinars in partnership with the Huron Consulting Group, a firm helping organizations develop future-ready leaders that can drive meaningful cultural and organizational change. Continuing …

MHA CEO Report — Preserving Patient Access to Care

Nurses are the heart and soul of our healthcare ecosystem. They were heroes long before the COVID-19 pandemic, they stepped up in extraordinary ways during the darkest days of that chapter in our history and they remain heroes today. …

The Keckley Report

The Medicare Drug Pricing Program Will Attract Uncomfortable Attention to the Rest of the Industry

“Last Tuesday, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the first 10 medicines that will be subject to price negotiations with Medicare starting in 2026 per authorization in the Inflation Reduction Act (2022). It’s a big deal but far from a done deal. …

There will be lessons learned as this Inflation Reduction Act program is enacted alongside others in the bill– insulin price caps at $35/month per covered prescription, access to adult vaccines without cost-sharing, a yearly cap ($2,000 in 2025) on out-of-pocket prescription drug costs in Medicare and expansion of the low-income subsidy program under Medicare Part D to 150% of the federal poverty level starting in 2024. And since implementation of these price caps isn’t until 2026, plenty of time for all parties to negotiate, spin and adapt.

But the bigger impact of this program will be in other sectors where pricing is opaque, the public’s suspicious and valid and reliable data is readily available to challenge widely-accepted but flawed assertions about quality, value, access and outcomes. It’s highly likely hospitals will be next.“

Paul Keckley, Sept. 4, 2023

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of August 28 and Sept. 4 regarding prescription drug affordability, the healthcare workforce and COVID-19. MHA CEO Brian Peters spoke with a variety of news outlets regarding these …

MHA Monday Report Aug. 7, 2023

August 7, 2023August 4, 2023 Monday Report

Governor Signs New Budget Including Investments in Hospitals

Gov. Whitmer signed the fiscal year 2024 state budget Aug. 1, which includes $92 million in new investments directly to hospitals. It specifically provides $59 million to support increased Medicaid reimbursement rates at Level I …

Michigan Supreme Court Decides Auto No-Fault Retroactivity Case

The Michigan Supreme Court issued an opinion July 31 upholding the Michigan Court of Appeals’ decision that changes to the auto no-fault law passed in 2019 on attendant care and other lifetime benefits cannot be …

CMS Releases FY 2024 Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service hospital inpatient prospective payment system for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The final rule: Increases the …

CMS Releases FY 2024 Final Rule for Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities for federal fiscal year (FY) 2024. Key provisions …

CMS Releases FY 2024 Inpatient Psychiatric Facility Final Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment system for inpatient psychiatric facilities for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which begins …

MHA Podcast Explores “Healthiest” Healthcare Jobs in Michigan

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan discussing key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities. On the first episode of …

MHA CEO Report — Added Association Value

The healthcare industry is a vital cornerstone of any community, providing essential medical services to people in times of need – not to mention our role as economic engines. Behind the scenes, …

The Keckley Report

Thinking Long-Term: Changes in Five Domains will Impact the Future of the U.S. System but Most are Not Prepared

“What’s ahead? Everyone in the U.S. health system is aware that funding is becoming more scarce and regulatory scrutiny more intense, but few have invested in planning beyond tomorrow and the day after. Unlike drug and device manufacturers with global markets and long-term development cycles, insurers and providers are handicapped. Insurers respond by adjusting coverage, premiums and co-pays annually. Providers—hospitals, physicians, long-term care providers and public health programs– have fewer options. For most, long-range planning is a luxury, and even when attempted, it’s prone to self-protection and lack of objectivity. …

In 10 years, the health system will constitute 20% of the entire U.S. economy and play an outsized role in social stability. It’s path to that future and the greater good it pursues needs charting with open minds, facts and creativity. Society deserves no less. …“

Paul Keckley, July 31, 2023

News to Know

The MHA encourages MHA chief nursing officers and other Michigan hospital leaders to register for Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in downtown Lansing to discuss the substantial harm that proposed legislation mandating registered nurse staffing ratios would have on patient access to care, and real solutions to train and hire more nurses.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of July 31 regarding Michigan Supreme Court decision in Andary v. USAA, which the MHA published a media statement on following the opinion release. The MHA is also …

MHA Monday Report July 31, 2023

July 31, 2023July 28, 2023 Monday Report

Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Scheduled

MHA chief nursing officers and other Michigan hospital leaders are encouraged to register for Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in …

CMS Releases Medicare Physician Fee Schedule CY 2024 Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year (CY) 2024 proposed rule for the physician fee schedule. The rule proposes a decrease to the conversion factor by 3.34%, to $32.75 in …

Toolkit Created to Strengthen Caregiver Support Programs

The MHA Keystone Center recently released the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit to guide hospitals and health systems implementing and maintaining caregiver navigation programs. These initiatives are designed to support caregivers in their role by providing …

CMS Releases Occupational Mix Data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released July 12 the fiscal year 2025 Hospital Wage Index Development Timetable, a public use file (PUF). The PUF contains data reported by prospective payment system hospitals on …

AI and Workforce Development Webinar Series Offers CME Credit

The MHA and other state hospital associations are hosting a webinar series in partnership with the Huron Consulting Group Aug. 10 through Nov. 9 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST. CME and continuing education credit …

Corewell Health’s Freese Decker Named AHA Chair-elect Designate

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees elected Tina Freese Decker, president & chief executive officer, Corewell Health as its Chair-elect Designate July 16. Freese Decker will be Chair-elect in 2024 and become the …

The Keckley Report

The Four Issues that will Impact Healthcare Services Providers and Insurers Most in the Last Half of 2023 and First Half of 2024

“As first half 2023 financial results are reported and many prepare for a busy last half, strategic planning for healthcare services providers and insurers point to 4 issues requiring attention in every boardroom and C suite …

These issues frame the near-term context for strategic planning in every sector of U.S. healthcare. They do not define the long-term destination of the system nor roles key sectors and organizations will play. That’s unknown. …”

Paul Keckley, July 24, 2023

MHA Monday Report July 24, 2023

July 24, 2023July 21, 2023 Monday Report

Governor Signs MHA Supported Legislation and Announces Round of GoingPro Awards

Gov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of July 17 related to the Healthy Michigan Plan, organ donation and vaccine distribution. Those bills include: House Bills 4495–4496 (Public Acts 98-99 of …

CMS Releases Medicare FFS OPPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2024. The rule proposes to: Increase the outpatient conversion …

MHA Webinar Focuses on Crisis Events

Crisis events are unpredictable and often present unique challenges in healthcare. The MHA is convening healthcare and community leaders virtually from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Aug. 25 to exchange ideas and resources for crisis events …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Quality Oversight

The July edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), focuses on the board’s role in improving quality. Elizabeth Mort, MD, MPH, former senior vice president of quality and safety …

The Keckley Report

The Health System needs a Heart Transplant

“It’s a time when workforce activism is peaking, and hourly workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in home care are targets of organizing efforts by unions. …

In an industry as big and prominent as healthcare, hourly workers including nurses, techs, business office and patient support services are vital to its performance. Those in skilled professions that require licenses are buffered by shortages: that’s the case with nurses, physical therapists and others. But not as much for non-skilled positions where cost-cutting has heightened labor-management tensions. And this comes as most hospitals have recovered to pre-pandemic financial health and CEO compensation in not-for-profit systems has become a lightening rod for industry critics like Arnold Ventures, West Health and Lown Institute among others. …

Hourly workers are the beating heart of the healthcare industry: they don’t have star power, they don’t have a voice, and they don’t feel they’re seen or heard. As the system transitions to AI-powered workforce solutions in bigger organizations, the heartbeat is irregular. It needs attention.”

Paul Keckley, July 17, 2023

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of July 17 regarding the healthcare workforce, federal legislation to address drug shortages and bills signed by Gov. Whitmer eliminating burdensome provisions in the Healthy Michigan Plan and …

MHA Podcast Explores Harmful Nurse Staffing Legislation

July 14, 2023 Member News, MiCare Champion Cast

Kim Meeker, RN, BSN, MBA, president of the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL).

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 31, MHA CEO Brian Peters and Kim Meeker, RN, BSN, MBA, president of the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL), discuss a recent package of bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature that could severely harm hospitals and access to patient care, if passed.

Senate Bills 334 – 336 and House Bills 4550 – 4552 propose a one-size-fits-all nurse ratio staffing mandate. In a recent joint statement, the MHA and MONL noted how this approach would limit the number of patients receiving hospital care at any one time and services hospitals can offer to their communities, prolong the time it takes for a patient to receive care and hinder many hospital’s ability to respond to a crisis in fear of violating Michigan law.

Throughout the episode, Peters and Meeker explain exactly what this could look like for Michigan nurses and patients while addressing false claims that the bills will help nursing shortages in Michigan – noting more effective solutions, including:

Michigan joining the national Nurse Licensure Compact to reduce barriers for out-of-state nurses to move to and practice in Michigan immediately.
Increasing eligibility for Michigan Reconnect by lowering the age requirement to 18 and older.
Expanding Michigan Reconnect availability to include 4-year institutions.
Increasing penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers.

The episode is available to steam on Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts and SoundCloud. Those interested in learning more or connecting with local lawmakers on this issue are encouraged to visit the MHA’s Legislative Action Center.

Note: Each interview in this episode was recorded prior to the passing of the legislative fiscal year 2024 state budget. To see MHA CEO Brian Peters statement on new healthcare funding, visit the MHA Newsroom. Additional resources mentioned include the MHA Keystone Center and Duke Center for Healthcare Safety and Quality WellB program and the MI Hospital Careers webpage.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report June 5, 2023

June 5, 2023June 2, 2023 Monday Report

MHA Comments on Medicare Fee-for-Service Proposed Rules

The MHA recently submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding the proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service inpatient rehabilitation facility prospective payment system for fiscal year …

PRTF Proposed Policy Open for Public Comment

The Michigan Department of Health & Human Services released a proposed policy May 30 for public comment related to Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTFs). This policy will create a chapter in the Medicaid Provider …

FY 24 Hospital IPPS Payment System Comments

The MHA drafted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service hospital inpatient prospective payment system for fiscal year (FY) 2024. The MHA expresses …

MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship Application Deadline June 28

Applications are due June 28 for the 2023-2024 class of the MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship, which will be held from October 2023 through June 2024. The fellowship focuses on the functions of governance, leadership …

Upcoming Webinars on Medicare FFS Quality-based Programs

The MHA is partnering with DataGen to host two free webinars focused on Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) quality-based programs, which can reduce hospital inpatient FFS payments by up to 6%, depending upon hospital performance. The webinars …

MDHHS Announces Grant and Scholarship Program for EMS Students

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has issued a request for proposal for emergency medical services (EMS) workforce grants. This program aims to address the statewide shortage of EMS personnel through scholarships …

2023 Ludwig Nominee: Munson Healthcare Expanding Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Recovery in Northern Michigan

Since 1990, the MHA has honored member healthcare organizations working to enrich the overall welfare of their local communities through the Ludwig Community Benefit Award. This year, the MHA is excited to showcase all award nominees, …

MHA CEO Report — Impact of Drug Shortages on Hospitals

“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity.” — Albert Einstein The shortage of key cancer treatment drugs carboplatin and cisplatin made national headlines in recent weeks, as hospitals implemented multiple strategies to maintain …

The Keckley Report

Special Report: Physicians on the Brink or At the Starting Line?

“The backdrop for the APG and AMA meetings in the next 2 weeks could not be more daunting. Inflationary pressures dog the health economy as each advances an advocacy agenda suitable to their member’s needs. But something is missing: a comprehensive, coherent, visionary view of the health system’s future in the next 10-20 years wherein physicians will play a key role. That view should include… …

The U.S. health system’s future is not a repeat of its past. Recognizing this, physicians and the professional associations like APG and AMA that serve them have an obligation to define its future state NOW.

Some physicians are on the brink of despair; others are at the starting line ready to take on the challenge. …“

Paul Keckley, May 30, 2023

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of May 28 regarding the continued shortage of cancer drugs carboplatin and cisplatin and hospital workforce shortages. MHA representatives appearing in published stories include CEO Brian Peters and Executive Vice …

MHA Monday Report May 29, 2023

May 29, 2023May 26, 2023 Monday Report

Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists Address Legislative Policy Panel

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened May 24 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on potential state licensure of …

Bills on Healthy Michigan Plan Improvements and Tax Credit for Clinical Preceptors See Action

Action was taken the week of May 22 on a variety of bills that would make improvements to the Healthy Michigan Plan, require adult changing tables be included in future construction or renovation projects and …

Governor Signs Red Flag Laws

Legislation to create Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) was signed by Gov. Whitmer May 22. These new public acts allow for certain individuals, including healthcare providers, to file an ERPO if a person is a …

MHA Continues Work Towards Chemotherapy Drug Shortage

The MHA has been in frequent contact with members of the Michigan Congressional delegation since the association was made aware of shortages of the chemotherapy drugs carboplatin and cisplatin. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and …

Licensing and Regulatory Updates

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently published updated rules related to hospitals. Those updates include the following: Final EMS Life Support Agencies and Medical Control Rule The final rule, effective May …

CMS Releases Medicare Wage Index Information

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the timetable and preliminary hospital data that will be used to develop the Medicare wage index for fiscal year 2025, which begins Oct. 1, …

MHA Enrollment Data Analysis Expansion

The MHA recently expanded its analysis of enrollment data to reflect Medicare and Medicaid enrollment as a percentage of each county’s total population and the split for Medicare and Medicaid between fee-for-service and managed care …

MHA Keystone Center Cohosting Caregiver Navigation Roundtable

The MHA Keystone Center is partnering with the Michigan Health Endowment Fund and RUSH University Medical Center to host a virtual roundtable from 10 to 11:15 a.m. June 21 on implementing caregiver navigation programs in …

Person and Family Engagement Leaders Explore PFE Roadmap

Approximately 80 leaders responsible for quality, safety and patient experience and patient care participated in an MHA webinar to review the newly released MHA Person & Family Engagement (PFE) Roadmap, which includes recommended policies to re-engage …

2023 Ludwig Nominee: Hurley Patient Advocate Seeks to Address Barriers to Care

The Keckley Report

Social Determinants of Health: Lots of Talk, Modest Results

“For healthcare, this divergence of views is problematic the proposed debt ceiling compromise includes reducing SNAP benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), imposing work requirements for “able-bodied” Medicaid recipients and cutting community health centers budgets—all hit low-income and underserved populations hardest. In these populations, social determinants of health (SDOH) i.e., food insecurity, unsafe/unhealthy housing, inadequate transportation et al play a central role in their health and its costs, but not much is done. …

Abundant health services research points to one conclusion: the inadequacy of solutions to the nation’s burgeoning social issues aka ‘social determinants of health’ results in poorer health status and higher health costs. Disparities persist. Structural flaws and divergent views about public health have calcified its neglect. It’s’ a disconnect the health system is prompted to fix. …”

Paul Keckley, May 22, 2023

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of May 21 regarding the continued shortage of cancer drugs carboplatin and cisplatin and hospital workforce shortages. MHA representatives appearing in published stories include CEO Brian Peters, Executive …

Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists Address Legislative Policy Panel

May 24, 2023August 30, 2023 Member News

MSA President Neeju Ravikant, MD, MS, presents to the MHA Legislative Policy Panel.

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened May 24 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals.

The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on potential state licensure of anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) from Michigan Society of Anesthesiologists (MSA) President Neeju Ravikant, MD, MS; Secretary/Treasurer & Legislative Co-Chair Courtney Abernathy, MD; and MSA board member William Peruzzi, MD. Currently Michigan is one of four states that allow practice for AAs via physician delegation. Licensure would still require AAs work under the supervision of a qualified physician anesthesiologist and would have Michigan join 15 other states, the District of Columbia and the US Territory of Guam that have moved over to licensure.

In addition to the presentation, the panel recommended the MHA support telehealth parity and discussed issues around pharmaceutical manufacturers discriminating against covered entities based on their contract pharmacy relationships.

The panel received updates on other issues including a review of the MHA Strategic Action Plan from MHA CEO Brian Peters, a federal update from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs and state updates on the budget and nurse staffing ratio legislation.

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

MHA Celebrates National Hospital Week with Messages from Michigan Leaders

May 19, 2023August 24, 2023 Member News

During the week of May 7, the MHA celebrated National Hospital Week (NHW) by sharing a series of videos featuring healthcare, education, government and agriculture leaders across the state thanking Michigan hospitals and healthcare workers for the profound impact they have across communities.

The campaign, based on the American Hospital Association theme #WeAreHealthcare, reached more than 27,000 people and resulted in nearly 3,000 engagements across social media platforms. The Michigan leaders featured in the series included:

MHA CEO Brian Peters.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
MHA Board Chair T. Anthony Denton, Senior Vice President and Chief Environmental, Social and Governance Officer, U-M Health.
Speaker of the House Joe Tate.
Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt.
Dan Hurley, CEO of the Michigan Association of State Universities.
Michelle Lantz, CEO of the Greater Lansing Food Bank.

Additionally, the MHA shared content from Michigan hospitals thanking the healthcare workforce and highlighting the critical role they play in advancing the health of patients and communities. NHW efforts are a continuation of the MHA’s efforts around telling the story of Michigan hospitals, health systems and healthcare workers. Members with questions may contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.