Tag: MHA Legislative Action Center

MHA Podcast Explores Harmful Nurse Staffing Legislation

MiCare Champion Cast, Member News
MI care matters
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.

Urge State Lawmakers to Oppose Harmful Hospital Nurse Staffing Legislation

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingHarmful legislation was introduced in the Michigan Legislature May 11 that proposes mandated nursing staffing ratios, which would exacerbate existing shortages and restrict important access to healthcare services for Michigan patients.

The MHA voiced their public opposition to the bill package immediately following its introduction in a media statement, in conjunction with the Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership (MONL). Since that time, the MHA has shared its position with all members of the Michigan Legislature and have been in frequent communication with legislative leadership to express the implications of this legislation and how it fails to solve the root cause of nurse staffing shortages.

The MHA is specifically advocating to oppose Senate Bills 334 – 336 and House Bills (HBs) 4550 – 4552, while asking for practical solutions for nursing shortages, which include:

  • Michigan joining the national Nurse Licensure Compact to allow 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.

An action alert is available in the MHA Legislative Action Center of the MHA website to complement the advocacy work of the MHA and member hospitals and health systems. This alert provides a drafted message to be sent to specific lawmakers once demographic information is provided. Members are encouraged to use and share this tool with appropriate stakeholders to help lawmakers understand the magnitude of this issue for hospitals.

The MHA is already conducting social and traditional media efforts, as well as advocacy work, on this critical issue. These efforts will continue through the next several weeks and potentially through the rest of the year.

In other legislative news, bills to make improvements to Michigan’s Medicaid expansion law were advanced from the House Health Policy Committee. HBs 4495 and 4496 were introduced by Rep. Will Snyder (D-Muskegon) and Rep. Graham Filler (R-Clinton County) and are supported by the MHA. The bills are intended to lower out of pocket costs and improve the experience for Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries by streamlining and removing sections that have proven to be arbitrarily penalizing, difficult to administer or otherwise ineffective at improving health outcomes. The bills now head to the House Floor for further consideration.

Members with questions about state legislation may contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores the 340B Drug Pricing Program

Member News

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 this episode, Karen Cheeseman, CEO of Mackinac Straits Health System (MSHS) and Leah Heffernan, retail pharmacy director at MSHS, explain what the 340B drug pricing program is and how it benefits Michigan’s rural communities.

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program requires that drug companies sell discounted prescription drugs to entities that provide care in underserved communities, including those in rural communities like MSHS. Those interested in helping protect 340B can visit the MHA Legislative Action Center to contact state lawmakers in a few quick steps.

Cheeseman has been with the health system for 17 years, previously serving as chief operating officer and, prior to that, chief human resource officer. She is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and served on both the Small and Rural Health Council and Legislative Policy Panel at the MHA. Heffernan has been with Mackinac Straits as a retail pharmacy director for three years, working daily to ensure all operations run smoothly at the system’s retail pharmacy.

This podcast 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. It is currently available via Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

Tell Legislature to Pass Supplemental Budget for COVID-19 Funding

Member News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee adopted an H-3 substitute for House Bill (HB) 5523 Dec. 8. The COVID-19 supplemental funding bill would allocate $1.2 billion in federal funds, including $300 million for recruitment and retention bonuses for healthcare settings. The appropriation is in response to healthcare workforce shortages and ongoing MHA advocacy efforts. The funds would be allocated to employers to use at their discretion, but employers are prohibited from using vaccination status to determine which employees can receive the funds.

Also included in the bill is $100 million to create eight monoclonal antibody treatment infusion sites to be placed regionally throughout the state. The plan would improve accessibility for residents while reducing the burden on hospitals and their workforce. The state will be able use existing transfusion center infrastructure in this role.

An additional $25 million is allocated to procure the antibody treatment. Lastly, $300 million is planned for COVID-19 testing in schools along with funding for vaccine distribution.
The House Appropriations Committee took testimony on the bill while negotiations continue among lawmakers. Member support for HB 5523 is critical to prioritizing those negotiations during the few remaining legislative session days.

The MHA urges hospitals and healthcare champions to contact their elected officials to encourage passage of this legislation before the Legislature adjourns for the calendar year. The MHA Legislative Action Center offers assistance in telling legislators this funding is critical to hospitals across Michigan that continue to battle this COVID-19 surge. Members with questions should contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.