MHA Monday Report - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Monday Report March 6, 2023

March 6, 2023March 3, 2023 Monday Report

Healthcare Workforce Supplemental Passed by Michigan Legislature

During the week of Feb. 27, the Michigan Legislature passed a supplemental appropriation bill that included $75 million to help address the ongoing staffing crisis in hospitals. The appropriation was part of House Bill 4016. …

Application Period Begins for Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program

Applications for the Michigan Opioid Treatment Access Loan Repayment Program (MIOTA) will be accepted from Feb. 27 through March 13. MIOTA is a medical education debt repayment program focused on incentivizing healthcare providers to begin …

Nominations Being Accepted for 2023 Advancing Safe Care Award

To recognize Michigan hospitals that are tackling issues daily to make care safer and more dependable, the MHA is accepting nominations for its annual Advancing Safe Care Award. Eligible nominees include teams from hospitals across …

Registration Open for MHA Human Resources Member Forum

The MHA will host an in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA Headquarters in Okemos from 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option available as well. The forum is structured as …

Using Interim Leadership to Strengthen Organizational Agility

AMN Healthcare / B.E. Smith has a track record of success in providing experienced interim leaders to fill open positions while clients conduct searches for a replacement. An additional item, AMN Leadership / B.E. Smith is excited to offer is …

MHA CEO Report — The Challenges for Rural Hospitals

Having just returned from the annual American Hospital Association Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, where I was joined by a strong contingent of MHA members and staff, the future of our rural hospitals has been top of mind.

The Keckley Report

Strategery in Healthcare: Are Insiders Prepared to Shift?

“Healthcare’s insiders talk good games but default to incrementalist’ strategery not because the future is an unknown. It’s because many boards are uncomfortable with ‘too much’ change or, in some cases, executive comp is geared to risk avoidance and short-term financial success. Often, excuses masquerade as reasons. That’s why outsiders are gaining ground on insiders.

Healthcare’s future is not a repeat of its past. Strategery in every organization needs a fresh look– especially among its insiders.“

Paul Keckley, Feb. 27,2023

News to Know

The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program on March 13-15 and May 15-16.
Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 27, 2023

February 27, 2023February 23, 2023 Monday Report

MiCare Champions Healthcare Advocates

The MHA continues to utilize public healthcare ambassadors, referred to as MiCare Champions, to advocate for public policy needs for Michigan hospitals and health systems. The MiCareMatters campaign originally launched in 2017 with the aim …

State Loan Repayment Program Application Period Begins

Applications for the 2023 Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP) will be accepted from March 6-31 through the File Transfer Application System. Providers are strongly encouraged to create an account in the system before starting the application period. The MSLRP assists employers in the recruitment …

Feb. 28 Virtual Training for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10 a.m. Feb. 28. Hospital staff are also …

CHAMPS Registration Required for Medicaid Doula Services

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will reimburse for doula services provided to individuals covered by Medicaid beginning Jan. 1, 2023. Doula providers are required to be registered and approved on the …

The Keckley Report

The North Carolina Study of Hospital CEO Pay: An Incomplete Picture

“Last Wednesday, North Carolina Treasurer Dale Folwell released a report alleging 9 prominent North Carolina health systems overpaid their CEOs more than $1.75 billion from 2010 to 2021. …

The issue of CEO compensation is tricky for hospitals because the public’s unaware of how hospitals operate—7/24 serving all comers. In North Carolina, hospitals directly impact 8% of the state’s economy. Understandably, they pay attention to Exec Comp! The Treasurers Report should prompt discussion about the role of hospitals in the state and their future. It’s an incomplete picture. “

Paul Keckley, Feb. 20, 2023

MHA Monday Report Feb. 20, 2023

February 20, 2023February 21, 2023 Monday Report

Innovative Solutions Explored by MHA Service Corporation Board

The MHA Service Corporation board began its Feb. 8 meeting addressing current strategic priorities including exploring innovative solutions to support hospital financial viability, workforce restoration and wellbeing, behavioral health improvements, health equity and more. The board considered strategies to continue …

MHA Keystone Center and MVC Release Statewide Childbirth Outcomes Report

The MHA Keystone Center and the Michigan Value Collaborative (MVC) developed and released a statewide report Feb. 2 on birth outcomes following recently released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in an effort to support maternal health …

Nominations Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Award

The annual presentation of the MHA Healthcare Leadership Award honors those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within individual facilities and in their communities. Nominations for exceptional healthcare trustees, executives, physicians, nurses or other leaders for …

MHA Podcast Explores the Community Benefit of Rural Hospitals

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 26, Helen Johnson, …

The Keckley Report

SOTU 2023 Takeaways for Healthcare: Surprises, Implications

“The spontaneous reaction to the President’s commentary on Medicare was the biggest surprise of the night! It’s especially significant as 2024 Presidential campaigns launch in the next 90 days (Haley this week) and Congress grapples with the debt ceiling and appropriations to Medicare, Veterans Health, Medicaid, pandemic preparedness and public health to name a few. ….”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 13, 2023

News to Know

The Michigan Society of Healthcare Risk Management is now accepting nominations for the Paul Venzke Award for Outstanding Performance in the field of Healthcare Risk Management. …

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 13 regarding challenges impacting hospital viability in Michigan and on a statement released by MHA CEO Brian Peters following the shooting Feb. 13 on the campus of Michigan State University …

MHA Monday Report Feb. 13, 2023

February 13, 2023August 23, 2023 Monday Report

MHA Board of Trustees Reviews State and Federal Advocacy Options to Further Strategic Priorities

The MHA Board of Trustees began its Feb. 8 meeting with a federal advocacy briefing from federal lobbyist Carlos Jackson with Cornerstone Government Affairs. Jackson highlighted the policy and funding threats and opportunities healthcare providers …

Fiscal Year 2024 Executive Budget Recommendation Released

Gov. Whitmer released her executive budget recommendation Feb. 8 for fiscal year 2024. The proposed budget fully protects traditional hospital line items for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan program, continues targeted rate increases from recent budget cycles and includes …

MHA and Rural Members Advocate on Capitol Hill

The MHA and rural hospital leaders visited Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. Feb. 7-9 to advocate for specific rural healthcare policies as part of the National Rural Health Association’s Rural Health Policy Institute event. …

Registration Available for MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference

Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference. The all-day event will take place April 13 at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest. In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, EarlyMobility.com …

January MA Enrollment Increases by 33,000 Beneficiaries

Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollment in Michigan totaled approximately 1.25 million in January, an increase of 33,000 beneficiaries since October. The January enrollment is spread across 48 MA plans that are currently operating in the state, …

The Keckley Report

Wave Two Value-Based Care: The Five Market Shifts that Will Reset the Payment Environment for Providers

“Wave One of the Value Based Care environment was marginally effective: CMS’ alternative payment models showed promise but savings to Medicare fell short of expectations per MedPAC. Medicare Advantage enrollment grew but plan sponsors were overpaid by Medicare. Hospital avoidable readmissions and complications efforts have been successful but the pandemic economy decapitated hospital resources necessary to compete in the value-based environment. Wave One is a mixed bag. …

The Wave Two Value Agenda in U.S. healthcare will impact every player and be messy. The backdrop of the 2024 Campaign cycle and post-pandemic economy mean impetus will shift from resource-constrained Medicare to the private sector as both offer significant but distinct opportunities for lower spending. And the revolution of generative AI assures shortcomings of the system—diagnostic error, administrative waste, fraud—will be widely exposed. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 6, 2023

News to Know – Feb. 13, 2023

Prospective payment system hospitals are reminded that any requests for corrections to the January public use file data being used by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to develop the fiscal year 2024 Medicare wage index must be received, along with supporting documentation, by the Medicare Administrative Contractor by Feb. 15, 2023.
The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program on March 13-15 and May 15-16.
MHA Endorsed Business Partner Demand Workforce/Qodex will host a free 30-minute webinar on Mission Impossible: Let’s Talk About How to Heal Your Staffing Crisis at noon ET Feb. 22 to discuss healthcare trends in staffing including creative approaches to deliberately using your nursing workforce.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Feb. 6 regarding a variety of topics, including the fiscal year 2024 executive budget recommendation, the role food insecurity has as a social determinant of health, the new state House Behavioral …

MHA Monday Report Feb. 6, 2023

February 6, 2023August 25, 2023 Monday Report

MHA Testifies During First House Health Policy Committee Hearing

The first hearing of the new legislative session for the House Health Policy Committee was held Feb. 2. Led by Chair Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), new committee members heard testimony from advocacy organizations about the state of public health in Michigan. …

Implicit Bias Trainings Available to Meet LARA Requirement

The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs revised Public Health Code – General Rules to allow asynchronous teleconferences or webinars as acceptable modality of training as part of the implicit bias training standards for all professions licensed or registered under …

MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award Accepting Nominations

Hospitals taking part in local efforts to enrich the overall welfare of their communities are encouraged to nominate those programs for the 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award. First presented in 1990, the annual award honors MHA-member healthcare …

MHA Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities Available

Just as hospitals and health systems have changed their strategies to adapt to the new environment, MHA education programming and sponsorships have changed to deliver more value. The MHA team are designing in-person events tied to the priorities of the …

MHA CEO Report — Medical Liability and Denney Damages

In last month’s CEO Report, we focused on the new political environment in Lansing, with a host of first-time lawmakers taking office, Democrats assuming majority control of both chambers of the legislature and a host of …

The Keckley Report

The Big Tech Advantage in U.S. Healthcare

“This week, 100 of the Fortune 500 will report earnings for 2022 and heightened attention will be on four tech giants–Apple Inc., (AAPL); Amazon (AMZN) Meta Platforms Inc.(META) and Alphabet Inc.(GOOG). Comparatively, reports this week by Pfizer, Merck and Eli Lilly will get industry attention but news about these technology-giants will extend to a much wider audience. Why? …

2023 will be pivotal to U.S. healthcare’s future: it’s the transition year from pandemic adaptation buoyed by emergency-relief funds and opportunistic private equity plays in capital-starved sectors to a normalcy that’s unprecedented. … “

Paul Keckley, Jan. 30, 2023

MHA in The News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 30 regarding the 340B drug pricing program and the lack of child psychiatrists in northern Michigan. Crain’s Detroit Business published an op-ed Feb. 1 from MHA CEO Brian Peters on …

MHA Monday Report Jan. 30, 2023

January 30, 2023August 23, 2023 Monday Report

First Legislative Policy Panel Meeting of 2023

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened Jan. 25 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation from MHA multi-client lobbying firm Public Affairs Associates on the new political landscape in Michigan. …

Peters Featured on Paul W. Smith Live from Lansing Broadcast

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio’s Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show Jan. 26 as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. …

MHA and Michigan Hospitals Contribute $45,000 Toward Food Insecurity

The MHA and its member hospitals and health systems contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering in an effort to combat food insecurity throughout the state. The annual campaign organized by the Food Bank Council of Michigan concluded Jan. 25 …

Comments Due for 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution Process

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a proposed rule Nov. 30 to establish the 340B Administrative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process implementing a formal manner for resolving disputed claims. The ADR process would provide a forum for addressing …

DEA Change in X-Waiver Requirement

President Biden approved the elimination of the DATA Waiver (X-Wavier) requirement and several other prescribing practice changes when he signed Dec. 29 the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. Changes to prescribing practices include: No longer requiring the X-Waiver to treat …

Virtual Training Offered for FY 2020 Medicaid DSH Audit

MHA Podcast Explores Working Inside Michigan’s Rural Hospitals

The Keckley Report

The Missing Piece in the Primary Care Physician Shortage Puzzle

“In its latest assessment of the U.S. physician workforce, the venerable Association of Academic Medical Centers (AAMC) projects a shortage of between 17,800 and 48,000 primary care physicians by 2034. …

The keys to mitigating the primary care shortage are multi-factorial, but technology-enabled self-care must be prioritized as a core competence. It’s the missing piece. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 23, 2023

News to Know

The Rural Health Redesign Center, the technical assistance provider chosen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, in partnership with Mathematica held a with new information for eligible rural hospitals interested in converting to the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation.
The MHA and Comprehensive Reimbursement, Inc. are offering a free Occupational Mix educational webinar at 10 a.m. Jan. 31.

MHA in The News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 23 regarding the issue of food insecurity, rural healthcare solutions and hospital viability. The MHA contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering during the campaign’s luncheon …

MHA Monday Report Jan. 23, 2023

January 23, 2023August 30, 2023 Monday Report

LARA Updates Implicit Bias Training Rules

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently released the final draft of the Public Health Code – General Rules to allow asynchronous teleconference or webinars as acceptable modality of training as part of the implicit bias training standards. ..

MHA Offering Occupational Mix Survey Webinar

The MHA is hosting an educational webinar 10 a.m. Jan. 31 to assist hospitals in completing the 2022 occupational mix survey. The webinar is available free of charge but registration is required. The survey must be submitted to the Medicare …

Nominations Open for 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The valuable role of Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is unmistakable. Brave personnel throughout these facilities have worked for three years to care for the staggering number of patients through their doors. Even during these difficult …

Registration Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Academy

The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program on March 13-15 and May 15-16. With 10 years of history helping medical professionals lead more effectively, the program focuses on developing a new generation of healthcare leaders. …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on 2023 Priorities and Population Health

As more evidence points to the impact of social determinants of health and the lack of progress on achieving notable healthcare quality aims, hospital boards need to continue to reframe what governance leadership and excellence should look like. The January …

The Keckley Report

HCA Mission Hospital: A Predictable Shot by SEIU or Something Bigger?

“Last Thursday, NBC News reported that HCA Healthcare, the nation’s second biggest hospital operator, was guilty of nurse under-staffing at Asheville NC Mission Hospital endangering patient care. The 182- hospital chain countered its hospitals operated safely as evidenced by earning A/B from Leapfrog in 80% of its hospitals. …

In one respect, Mission is a case study applicable to every hospital in the U.S. health system. Pressure to reduce operating costs and increase revenue is a constant. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 16, 2023

News to Know

Hospital leadership and key decision-makers will gather June 28-30 for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting on Mackinac Island. …

MHA Monday Report Jan. 16, 2023

January 16, 2023August 23, 2023 Monday Report

New State Legislative Session Begins

The new session for the 102nd Michigan Legislature kicked off during the week of Jan. 9 with swearing in ceremonies in both the House and Senate. Michigan Democrats in the majority started the session by introducing legislation to repeal right …

Rural Emergency Hospital Webinar on Requirements and Conversion Process

Hospitals interested in learning more about the new Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation are encouraged to attend an upcoming webinar from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET Jan. 18 hosted by Mathematica and the Rural Health Redesign Center (RHRC) for …

MDHHS Expands Behavioral Health Service Providers Covered by Medicaid

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) issued a bulletin Jan. 5 to expand the types of providers who can perform Medicaid-covered, non-physician outpatient behavioral health services. Effective Feb. 4, Medicaid will cover and reimburse outpatient behavioral health …

Federal Court Rules on 340B Underpayment Remedy

A recent United States District Court for the District of Columbia ruling allows the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to propose a remedy for hospital 340B drug underpayments for calendar years 2018 to 2021. …

Hospitals Pursue Health Equity to Honor Martin Luther King Jr.

Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.” As we honor Dr. King today and the legacy he created striving for racial equality, the MHA and …

The Keckley Report

The Escalating, Ironic Tension Between Insurers and Hospitals

“Blistering attacks on hospitals were a staple in media coverage in 2022. Comparatively, health insurers escaped unscathed. …

The near-term tension between hospitals and insurers will continue as affordability and transparency concerns mount. In tandem, government efforts to shift incentives to value-based payment models will expand as large employers and national plans implement more aggressive risk sharing agreements. The roles of the two sectors will converge in response to market demand. In anticipation, Deloitte, among others, merged its payer and provider practices to prepare its clients for the change. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 9, 2023

News to Know

MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 9, 2023

January 9, 2023August 23, 2023 Monday Report

Governor Signs Several MHA Priorities Into Law

Gov. Whitmer signed several bills into law Dec. 22 that were supported by the MHA and passed during the lame-duck session. Among these were expansions to the Michigan Reconnect Program, legislation to allow for a new rural emergency hospital licensure …

Omnibus Spending Bill Includes Major Health Policy Measures

After the MHA’s recent visits to Capitol Hill to advocate for year-end member priorities, Congress has reached a major deal on a year-end omnibus legislative package. The package includes health policy measures related to Medicare and Medicaid provisions, telehealth and …

Webinar Series Reviews Critical Access Hospitals CMS CoPs Requirements

Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments must follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoP). The CMS CAH Manual has seen multiple changes to regulations and interpretive guidelines. …

MDHHS Releases Final Policy to Increase Rates for Certain Dental Procedures

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a final policy to increase the minimum Medicaid payment rates to $2,300 for covered dental services provided under general anesthesia at outpatient hospitals and $1,495 for services provided in …

MHA CEO Report — New Control in Lansing

As I put the proverbial pen to paper, the Michigan Legislature has completed the 2021-2022 legislative session and I am very pleased to report that in the lame-duck session, we successfully advanced several MHA-supported bills – and not a single MHA-opposed …

The Keckley Report

Four Major Reasons Why 2023 is a Make or Break Year for U.S. Healthcare

“2022 was an unanticipated tsunami for every sector in the U.S. health system. The economy stalled. Inflation raged. Demand recovered. Hourly wages went up but household financial liquidity went down. The political environment became more toxic and November election results assured more of the same. All impacted healthcare. …

Thus, 2023 is a make or break year in healthcare: these conditions assure old ways of doing business will no longer work. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 2, 2023

News to Know

U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) announced Jan. 5 she will not seek a fifth term in 2024. Sen. Stabenow was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2000, following her service as an elected official in the U.S. House of …

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage during the weeks of Dec. 19, Dec. 26 and Jan. 2 on financial and staffing challenges impacting hospitals as well as the impact of a tripledemic of respiratory illnesses this winter. Below is a collection …

MHA Monday Report Dec. 19, 2022

December 19, 2022August 23, 2023 Monday Report

Webinar Outlines CRNA’s Role in Various Clinical Settings

Michigan legislation modernized the scope of practice for certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) in 2022, eliminating the state requirement that a CRNA must work under direct physician supervision. CRNAs enhance the ability to deliver care in a multitude of scenarios, particularly in rural areas where anesthesia services may be limited. …

Webinar Series Reviews Critical Access Hospitals CMS CoPs Requirements

Critical access hospitals (CAHs) that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments must follow the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoPs). The CMS Critical Access Hospital Manual has seen multiple changes to regulations and interpretive guidelines. …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Multitiered Governance Structures

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The Dec. issue includes an article noting the uptick in hospital and health system mergers and affiliations and defining expectations for board members in a multitiered governance system. …

The Keckley Report

MedPAC Needs to Revisit its Analysis

“At its December 8-9 meeting, MedPAC considered future funding for hospitals and physicians along with other sectors in healthcare. The 17-member commission will vote on its recommendations at its meeting January 12-13 after staff makes some changes based on commissioner feedback and then submit its official recommendations to Congress in March for FY2024…

The lag indicators used by MedPAC to evaluate Medicare utilization and payments for physician and hospital services are accurate. However, they’re of decreasing relevance to the future of Medicare’s formula for paying providers.”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 12, 2022

News to Know

Due to the holidays, Monday Report will not be published Dec. 26 and Jan. 3. Monday Report will resume its normal schedule Jan. 9. Member alerts and MHA newsroom articles will continue to be published during that time to provide relevant updates to the MHA membership, as necessary.

MHA in the News

WOOD TV8 published a story Dec. 12 on the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 183, which includes language allowing rural emergency hospital (REH) licensure in Michigan. The bill passed Dec. 6 with overwhelming support in both the State House and Senate following collaboration between the MHA, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Whitmer administration on making the necessary changes in state statute to allow for the new federal designation. …