MHA Monday Report March 17, 2025

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on Opioid Treatment Policies

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 12 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The MHA advocacy team provided important updates to the panel on healthcare activities at both …


MHA Member Supply Chain Leaders Share Insights and Resources

MHA staff recently attended the Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in the Current Healthcare Environment event hosted March 4 by the Great Lakes Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives. This participation represents the MHA’s …


MHA Upcoming PFE Webinars Focus on Advancing Patient-Centered Care

The MHA, in conjunction with its statewide Person & Family Engagement (PFE) Advisory Council, is excited to offer the PFE Improvement Sprints, a webinar series designed to help hospitals and health systems amplify PFE efforts. …


Applications Open for 2025-2026 Excellence in Governance Fellowship

Applications for the 2025-2026 Excellence in Governance Fellowship are now open for healthcare board members seeking innovative and effective ways to lead their organizations as hospitals and health systems navigate financial strain and labor challenges. …


Balancing the Complexities of the Healthcare Workforce in Rural Markets

MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare will host the webinar Balancing the Complexities of the Healthcare Workforce in Rural Markets from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. ET April 10. Speakers John Higgins, vice president of Essentia Health, a …


Keckley Report

DOGE Healthcare Targets prompt Uncomfortable Questions

In the President’s 99-minute address to Congress last Tuesday, not a mention of healthcare. None. Nada. Go figure.

It’s not surprising but totally regrettable. Politicians on both sides of the aisle know it’s a vital industry to the population’s well-being and the economy’s overall stability. It accounts for a fourth of all job gains in monthly Bureau of Labor jobs reports. It also represents 28% of total federal spending (includes HHS + Veterans Health) with the CBO forecasting 5.5% annual growth through 2032. Thus, it’s not surprising it’s a target of ongoing DOGE federal spending cuts and prominent in this week’s budget reconciliation vote by Congress to avoid a shut down.

Two programs are initial targets: Medicaid and Veterans Affairs. Each is big and serves unique populations …

The impact of proposed Medicaid and VA cuts will draw attention to the overall health system, prompting its critics to argue its wastefulness and its defenders to blame inadequate funding or unfair regulation.”

Paul Keckley, March 10, 2025


New to KnowNews to Know

  • Registration is open for the highly anticipated MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 and 29, 2025, at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing.
  • Lenise Freeman, a current Government Relations and Public Policy Fellow, was recently selected to participate in The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) at the University of Michigan Health Policy Fellowship.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of March 10 on the 340B program and potential federal Medicaid funding cuts with outlets including MichMash, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business and 9&10 News. MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on the March 14 episode …

News to Know – March 17, 2025

New to Know
  • New to KnowRegistration is open for the highly anticipated MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 and 29, 2025, at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. The symposium, offering continuing education credits for physicians, nursing and social workers, is designed for clinical teams across the continuum of care, quality, safety and risk professionals, person and family advocates and healthcare executives. For more information about the symposium, contact Erica Leyko at the MHA. Questions about event registration should be directed to Janice Jones at the MHA.
  • Lenise Freeman, a current Government Relations and Public Policy Fellow, was recently selected to participate in The Center for Health and Research Transformation (CHRT) at the University of Michigan Health Policy Fellowship. Lenise has worked with the MHA Health Policy team for the past two years and plays an integral role in MHA’s policy analysis and development work. Prior to joining the MHA, Lenise worked in U.S. Senator Gary Peters’ office. CHRT’s four-month Health Policy Fellowship connects policymakers, researchers and nonprofit professionals. Fellows learn about the intersection between health research and health policy from subject-matter experts and from each other. Since the fellowship began in 2012, more than 100 fellows have graduated.

MHA Monday Report March 10, 2025

Senate Passes 340B Hospital Protections & IMLC Clears House

The Michigan Senate passed legislation that protects 340B hospitals with bipartisan support while the Michigan House of Representations voted through legislation that removes the sunset on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) during the week …


Hospital Medicaid Communications Toolkit Available

The MHA recently released a toolkit of communications resources to support hospitals in advocating against potential Medicaid funding cuts in their local communities. The toolkit includes: Talking points Template letter-to-the-editor Template press release Social media …


HHS Rescinds Richardson Waiver Policy on Public Participation

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the rescinding of the Public Participation in Rule Making (Richardson Waiver), which invited public participation in rulemaking related to federal rules and regulations. HHS Secretary …


MDHHS Medicaid Provider Manual Available April 1

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently completed the April 2025 update to the MDHHS Medicaid Provider Manual, which will be available online April 1, 2025. This update aims to clarify coverage …


MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium Approved for CE Credits

Registration is open for the highly anticipated MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 & 29, 2025, at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. The symposium, offering continuing education …


Regional Training April 23 for Maternal Health Providers on Hypertension Safety

The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health is offering regional training sessions for inpatient maternal health providers focused on implementing the hypertension safety bundle and addressing common challenges with implementation. The one-hour …


Keckley Report

The Four Unwritten Rules for Engaging the Nashville Healthcare Industry

“This year, the Nashville Heath Care Council is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Its 900 members employ 333,000 and contribute $68 billion to the local economy. It hosts global conferences (VIVE, Sessions) among its 80+ events annually and promotes Nashville as the healthcare innovation hub of the planet. It is dominated by publicly traded health services companies and the armies of advisors, lawyers, accountants and analysts they employ. …

The Nashville healthcare community will not attempt to transform the industry: that’s for others. It will engage on industry challenges that require technology-enabled solutions, private capital and experienced operators. It is not paralyzed by regulation, industry norms, trade association affiliations or tradition. It is prone to think of healthcare as a opportunistic market, celebrate its profitability and leave systemic issues for others to fix.

The Nashville healthcare community is a fast follower: the bleeding edge is for others.  But in following fast, it has emerged as a key influencer in Trump healthcare policies and their execution.”

Paul Keckley, March 3, 2025


New to KnowNews to Know

  • The MHA Human Resources Conference is quickly approaching on March 25, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing.
  • In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.

Elizabeth KutterMHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of March 3 on the Michigan Senate passing legislation that protects the 340B program, the potential impact of tariffs on hospitals and healthcare costs, as well as a …

Regional Training April 23 for Maternal Health Providers on Hypertension Safety

The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) is offering regional training sessions for inpatient maternal health providers focused on implementing the hypertension safety bundle and addressing common challenges with implementation.

The one-hour sessions will include time for discussion and collaboration among regional hospital teams following the presentation. Nurses, physicians and other maternal health inpatient clinicians are encouraged to attend and may choose from either a morning session from 8 to 9 a.m. or an evening session from 5 to 6 p.m. on April 23, 2025. There is no cost to participate, but registration is required with the links provided.

These sessions are funded by the HRSA AIM grant (A30MC49987) as a continuation of the regional trainings conducted in Fall 2024.

Members may contact the MHA Keystone Center for registration questions. Dominique Abram and Meagan Chuey at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are available for event related questions.

MHA Monday Report March 3, 2025

340B Protections Pass Senate Committee & Governor Delivers State of the State Address

Legislation that would implement 340B program protections advanced in the Senate Oversight Committee and Gov. Whitmer delivered her seventh annual State of the State address to the Michigan Legislature during the week of Feb. 24. …


State of Michigan Launches $10 Million Employer-Assisted Housing Fund

The State of Michigan recently launched the $10 million Employer-Assisted Housing Fund to help address workforce housing shortages and improve employee retention across the state. The pilot program, in partnership with the Michigan State Housing …


A Guide to Preparing, Preventing and Responding to Violence in a Healthcare Setting

The following article was written by MHA Endorsed Business Partner Tarian (formerly HSS) and outlines essential strategies and best practices to create a safer environment for all. Workplace violence in healthcare settings is an …


Hospitals Help: Learning More About Street Medicine Oakland

The MHA released a new episode of the MiCare Champion Cast featuring Laura Ortiz, MD, Emergency Medicine Provider at Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital, exploring a collaborative effort that’s enhancing access to care for vulnerable communities. …


MHA Rounds graphic of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Protecting Medicaid Protects Michigan

Accessible and affordable healthcare is essential for communities to thrive, yet recent proposals to slash Medicaid funding threaten to destabilize this foundation for nearly three million Michiganders, including 961,000 children whose health and future depend on access to these services. …


Keckley Report

The Perfect Storm facing the Healthcare Workforce: Eight Current Issues frame the Challenge

“The healthcare workforce is unsteady: while stress and burnout are associated with doctors and nurses primarily, they cut across every workgroup and setting. …

These eight combine to make life miserable most days in health human resource management. DOGE will complicate matters more. It’s a concern in every sector of healthcare, and particularly serious in hospitals, medical practices, long-term and home care settings.

‘Modernizing the healthcare workforce’ sounds appealing, but for now, navigating these issues requires full attention. They require Board understanding and creative problem-solving by managers. And they merit a dignified and respectful approach to interactions with workers displaced by these circumstances: they’re not expendables, they’re individuals like you and me.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 24, 2025


New to KnowNews to Know

  • Registration is open for the 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing.
  • Registration is open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 and 29 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing.

MHA EVP Laura Appel with WJR's Guy Gordon and Lloyd Jackson.

MHA in the News

MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel appeared on Detroit’s WJR 760 AM’s ‘JR Morning with Guy Gordon, Llyod Jackson and Jamie Edmonds’s “Live from Lansing” broadcast Feb. 26 as part of the station’s annual coverage …

News to Know – March 3, 2025

New to Know
  • New to KnowRegistration is open for the 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Lansing. The event, which is valid for 5.25 PDCs for the SHRM-CP® or SHRM-SCP®, offers attendees an opportunity to expand their networks, share ideas and collaborate with fellow industry experts. Registration is $195 per person. Members with questions about registration may contact Brenda Carr at the MHA. Questions regarding the conference should be directed to Erica Leyko at the MHA.
  • Registration is open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 and 29 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. The symposium is designed for clinical teams across the continuum of care, quality and safety professionals, healthcare executives and business leaders, and person and family advocates. For more information on the symposium, members may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA. Questions about registration should be directed to Janice Jones at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 24, 2025

Earned Sick Time Act Officially Enacted

The Michigan Legislature held a late-night session Feb. 20 that ultimately led to amending the Earned Sick Time Act set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 21. Multiple amendments were made to …


Senate Introduces 340B Hospital Protections; MHA Testifies on IMLC

The Senate introduced MHA-driven legislation protecting the 340B program and the House Health Policy Committee heard testimony on the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) legislation during the week of Feb. 17. The Senate introduced Senate …


Virtual Training Offered Feb. 26 for FY 2022 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to register and participate in the upcoming Michigan-specific virtual training at 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26. MHA …


A Healthier Future Starts with the Heart

American Heart Month serves as a significant health observance, which shines a light on the critical work Michigan hospitals are doing to improve heart health and patient safety. As Chief Medical Officer at the MHA, it is my honor to speak with …


Keckley Report

Will the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare Design a Fix?

“If the passage of the Affordable Care Act was a tipping point for healthcare in 2010, the election result in 2024 is no less. In response, AHA is leaning into its Coalition to Strengthen America’s Health Care (CSAH) for help with advertising and advocacy.

CSAH was created by AHA, the Catholic Health Association, Federation of American Hospitals and others “to strengthen Americans’ access to 24/7 care.” Its Honor Roll includes most state hospital associations, all major national associations and several suppliers. Its priorities are “Defending Medicare, Funding Rural Health, Protecting Access to Care, Supporting the Workforce, and Protect Medicaid for American Families.” Perhaps a sixth within its reach could be added:” Fix the Health System” recognizing for some that’s a bridge too far. …

Whether the Coalition to Strengthen America’s Healthcare is inclined to be the facilitator that designs a fix is also unclear: its primary focus today is protecting hospitals. While understandable, it’s regrettable since the vast majority of hospitals view stewardship and the greater good as their calling and recognize the need for a systemic fix.

But what’s clear is that a fix is urgently needed to address affordability, accessibility and effectiveness systematically before it’s too late.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 17, 2025


News to Know

In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.

MHA in the News

The Detroit News published an op-ed Feb. 19 from MHA CEO Brian Peters expressing the importance of protecting the Medicaid program from any potential federal funding cuts. Peters highlighted the high number of people supported …

MHA Monday Report Feb. 17, 2025

Earned Sick Time Act & Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Advance in Senate

Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact advanced in the Michigan State during the week of Feb. 10. The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee narrowly voted Feb. 12 to move …


MDHHS SUD Mapping Tool Added to MI Bridges

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced a new substance use disorder (SUD) mapping tool in 2024. The tool is now featured on MI Bridges, a platform that allows Michigan residents to …


Registration Now Open for Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium

MHA Events

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing. Keynote speaker, Gerald B. Hickson, MD, will explore building …


Accommodations Deadline Approaching for MHA Human Resources Conference

MHA Events

The Feb. 21 accommodations deadline is approaching for the highly anticipated 2025 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 25, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing. After a day of networking and peer-to-peer collaboration, attendees will hear …


Healthcare Finance Trends for 2025

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CommerceHealthcare® recently released its 2025 Healthcare Trends Report, a comprehensive analysis of critical themes shaping the healthcare industry. This in-depth report was developed in collaboration with business line leaders, customers and …


Keckley Report

Healthcare is a Prime Target for DOGE: How to Prepare

“Last week, the reality of change in the U.S. political landscape became real, especially for the health industry. …

The Trump-Musk predisposition toward the U.S. health system is negative: it is viewed as wasteful, self-serving and ripe for Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cuts and disruption. It favors private solutions over public programs, and relishes favorable attention and punishing critics. And it shares its views of the health system with the majority of Americans:

Per Jarrard’s’ The State of Play: Healthcare in 2025 released last week, the public is not a fan of the system despite its penchant for calling itself “the world’s best.” In its survey of 1000 adults, 57% believe the system needs complete/significant re-design vs. 10% who think it’s OK as is and 34% who think minor improvements might be useful.

And per Gallup’s post-election poll in December, the public’s discontent is rooted in one issue: affordability. It’s a particularly thorny for hospitals, drug companies, insurers, physicians and other insiders who acknowledge the issue but rank it among others.

The impact of the Trump-Musk predisposition toward U.S. healthcare and its actions 20 days into its oversight is widespread uncertainty. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 10, 2025


News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth and the American Hospital Association will host the webinar Strategies to Strengthen Hospital Financial Health Amid Payer Pressures 2 p.m. ET Feb. 20 to share proven strategies and real world insights into combating payer denial tactics and how to protect hospitals.
  • In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.
  • MHA offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 17 in observance of President’s Day.

Registration Now Open for Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium

Registration is now open for the highly anticipated re-designed MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium, scheduled for April 28 – 29, 2025 at the Kellogg Conference Center & Hotel, East Lansing.

Keynote speaker, Gerald B. Hickson, MD, will explore building and sustaining systems that support a commitment to deliver safe, high-quality care while modeling respect for patients and coworkers, with established safety practices. As the current chair of the Institute of Health Improvement (IHI), Hickson will also provide an update on IHI initiatives in which attendees can be involved.

The symposium is designed for clinical teams across the continuum of care, quality and safety professionals, healthcare executives and business leaders, and person and family advocates.

An overnight room rate of $144 for hotel guest rooms has been secured for the MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium attendees (rooms subject to state and local taxes). Room reservations can be made by contacting the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center directly at 800-875-5090. Mention the MHA to receive the discounted rate. Reservations may also be made online with a group access code 2504MIHEAL. After the cut-off date of March 27, room reservations and rates will be confirmed based on availability.

For more information on the symposium, members may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA. Questions about registration should be directed to Janice Jones at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 10, 2025

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented

Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) moving through the Senate Health Policy Committee, a reintroduction of the Momnibus …


The Joint Commission President and CEO Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees welcomed The Joint Commission President and CEO Jonathan B. Perlin, MD, PhD to its Feb. 3 meeting. In his guest presentation, Dr. Perlin shared The Joint Commission’s mission to work …


Workforce Support and Growth Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 5 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support, protecting access, mental and behavioral health, creating healthy communities, strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy …


speak upCorewell Health Trenton Hospital Nurse Honored with Q4 MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award

The MHA Keystone Center celebrates Courtney Baumann, RN at Corewell Health Trenton Hospital, as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award recipient for February. The Speak-up! Award celebrates individuals or …


MHA Keystone Center Launches Infection Control Quality Improvement Cohort

The MHA Keystone Center is launching an infection control quality improvement cohort, providing high-touch technical assistance to ten long-term care facilities. The Strengthening Long-term Care Infection Prevention and Control Practices to Address Emerging Pathogens …


MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — The Realities of the Earned Sick Time Act

Healthcare continues to be the leading private-sector employer in Michigan. Our latest Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report shows healthcare provided nearly 572,000 direct jobs in Michigan in 2022, with roughly 217,000 of those jobs in hospitals. …


Keckley Report

Is health insurance reform the key to affordability and lower costs?

“For most Americans, having health insurance is still considered a hedge against unexpected or otherwise unaffordable medical bills.

For most elected officials in Congress and state legislatures, Medicare and Medicaid are insurance programs that consume a large and growing piece of public funding, squeezing out other areas of need.

For virtually all hospitals, physicians, ancillary and long-term care providers, insurance is still the unwelcome front door through which all must go to get paid but their administrative hassles and low reimbursement rates are ruining the system for everyone.

And large majorities in each of these groups are unhappy with insurers for a myriad of reasons well-documented in trade publications and polling. …

The blame and shame game to which insiders in healthcare are addicted is a zero-sum game: blaming any single sector for the cumulative deficiencies in affordability and costs is misleading and does not serve the greater good.

Is health insurance reform the key to health system affordability and lower costs? It plays a role but not alone.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 3, 2025


News to Know

In order to continue sharing with key stakeholders the important impact hospitals make to their communities, the MHA invites members to share examples of strong community impact programming through a brief survey.


MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

A MHA media statement published Feb. 5 was included in stories by Michigan news outlets covering the fiscal year 2026 executive budget recommendation. The statement, attributed to MHA CEO Brian Peters, was mentioned by WLNS-TV …