Webinar to Review MHA 2025-26 Strategic Action Plan

The MHA will host a virtual member forum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 to outline the MHA 2025-26 Strategic Action Plan (SAP) approved by the MHA Board of Trustees.

The 2025-26 SAP maintains a focus on key priorities, including keeping community hospitals open to provide high-quality care for patients 24/7, supporting caregivers and continuing to grow the healthcare workforce, partnering with others to help communities stay healthy, and enhancing support for mental and behavioral healthcare.

The member webinar will share the elements of this year’s plan and help members learn effective ways to connect with thought leaders in their community to support hospitals and healthcare providers in these challenging times.

There is no cost to attend, but members are asked to register by Nov. 5. Access information for the virtual session will be sent Nov. 6. Questions about the member forum can be directed to Erica Leyko at the MHA.

Strategic Planning Session Update with MHA Service Corporation Board

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board met Oct. 24 to discuss healthcare market strategies to identify, diversify and grow solutions for MHA members and clients. The board retreat focused on how the MHASC can support the five key pillars of the MHA Strategic Action Plan: workforce support, protecting access, support for mental and behavioral health, creating healthy communities and strengthening cybercrime/cybersecurity policy.

The MHASC highlighted the MHA Unemployment Compensation Program and its new strategic partnership with Vault Verify for wage and employment verifications. Tim Fessenden, CEO ,Vault Verify, explored how solutions provide employers additional security due to the contractual commitment to never resell any of the data accessed for verifications.

Additionally, the MHASC is creating a new model for piloting “mission-driven” partnerships with organizations that may address improving health outcomes for all, behavioral health and more.

The MHASC is also moving forward with supply chain strategic sourcing opportunities to help address shortages and provide savings. The MHASC continues to work closely with its various business solutions to address the pillars in the MHA Strategic Action Plan.

Members with questions regarding the MHASC Board may contact Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Aug. 26, 2024

Register for MHA 2024-25 Strategic Action Plan Webinar

The MHA is hosting a virtual member forum 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 to outline the MHA 2024 – 2025 strategic action plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees. The plan will include …


MHA Submits Comments on Proposed MDHHS Medicaid Behavioral Health Policies

The MHA submitted comments to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding two Medicaid proposed policies Aug. 20 pertaining to the establishment of Intensive Care Coordination with Wraparound and the implementation …


Kelley Cawthorne Ad


 

Guide for Michigan’s Adult Guardianship Process Available Digitally

The MHA published a resource for hospital and healthcare teams to support patients and families navigating the guardianship process. A printable copy as well as digital version are now available. The Guide for Michigan’s Adult Guardianship …


MHA CEO Report — Adding Value for Hospitals

I discussed last month how the MHA continues to create highly successful and impactful outcomes for our members through our outstanding advocacy in the public policy arena, at both the state and federal levels. …


The Keckley Report

The Two Tipping Points prompting Outsider Demand for Health System Transformation

“As Democrats gather in Chicago and Epic users convene in Verona WI this week, the future of the healthcare system will be on the agenda for both gatherings, but with a different focus: …

In Chicago and Verona, opportunities to improve the U.S. system are readily acknowledged. Which flaws deserve attention first, how and how fast reflect contrasting views. But perhaps as never before, the direction of the system is impacted by two convergent realities …

As congregants assemble in Chicago and Verona this week, outsiders hope they’ll look beyond incrementalism and pursue transformational change. They’re tired of waiting. It’s reached its tipping point. …”

Paul Keckley, Aug. 19, 2024


News to Know

  • MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Sept. 2 in honor of Labor Day.
  • Due to the holiday, Monday Report will not be published Sept. 2 and will resume its normal schedule Sept. 9.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth will host the webinar Investing Wisely in the Healthcare Continuum Aug. 28 to share strategic solutions for integrating utilization management, clinical documentation integrity and denials management into a unified revenue integrity framework.

MHA CEO Brian Peters

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters joined The Common Bridge podcast for an episode published Aug. 18 to discuss various healthcare policy topics, particularly those impacting rural Michigan.  Areas of focus include the Affordable Care Act, the impact of Medicaid provider taxes …

Register for MHA 2024-25 Strategic Action Plan Webinar

The MHA is hosting a virtual member forum 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 to outline the MHA 2024 – 2025 strategic action plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees. The plan will include a focus on critical issues like financial viability, workforce resilience, behavioral health, public health, health access, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

This forum will review the priorities and tactics to accomplish these goals and how the membership can support these initiatives. Presentations will be delivered by MHA CEO Brian Peters and other MHA leaders.

There is no cost to attend, but members are asked to register by Oct. 10. Access information for the virtual session will be sent Oct. 11.

Members with questions about the member forum may contact Erica Leyko at the MHA.

MHA Board Uplifts Funding for Birthing Hospitals

The MHA Board of Trustees continued work on advancement of the 2023-2024 Strategic Action Plan at its April 10 meeting, with focus on its four pillars, which include workforce support and innovation, viability and improved behavioral healthcare. Opposition to government mandated staffing ratios remains a top priority for the association within the workforce pillar, as it has been shown to be a harmful approach to addressing workforce shortages. Instead, the association supports specific measures to address educational barriers, support innovation and grow the talent pipeline.

The board recognized the work within the viability pillar through the MHA and the Michigan Council for Maternal and Child Health partnership to secure $10 million in state grant funding to assist Michigan’s birthing hospitals to pay for new mandatory state Maternal Level of Care (MLC) verifications. Pending state legislation will require the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to register each birthing hospital’s MLC verification. Under the terms of the grant, the MDHHS will provide funding for birthing hospitals that fully participate in MI-AIM and complete an application to participate in the MLC verification through The Joint Commission (TJC). Funding per hospital will range from $50,000-$400,000 this fiscal year and the MHA Keystone Center will fund TJC fees. More information will be provided in an upcoming member webinar.

The board also received the final report from the Community Access to Health Task Force and endorsed converting the task force into a standing Council on Community Access to Health for the 2024-2025 program year to continue the work of the board to ensure that high quality and safe care is available for everyone. The board recognized the association’s work in furtherance of behavioral health priorities through continued input on behavioral health legislation, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities and the hosting of its ongoing five-part behavioral health member webinar series.

Lastly, the board approved new member applications from R1 RCM, Origami and Bay Street Orthopedics and Spine.

Members with questions about the MHA Board of Trustees may contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

Workforce and Innovation Addressed by MHASC Board and HR Council

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused its Feb. 7 meeting on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health improvement, health equity and more. The board was joined by Bruce Brandes, president, care.ai, an MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP). Brandes provided a strategic overview for how AI and ambient intelligence is transforming care delivery models. care.ai sponsored a joint lunch for MHA and MHASC board members and provided an update on its Smart Care Facility Operating Platform. The MHASC is planning to launch new Endorsed Business Partners and innovative solutions in the coming months.

The MHA Human Resources (HR) & Workforce Council met Jan. 30 to discuss current HR priorities and review its role in advancing the mission of the MHA and the role of human resource leaders. The council provided input on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to healthcare employers, including diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, workplace safety and workforce development. Members provided feedback on current workforce-related legislative efforts and shared valuable insights with colleagues during a round-table session addressing 2024 priorities, innovative ideas, lessons learned and more. The HR Council is looking forward to networking with colleagues at the upcoming MHA HR Conference on March 5.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of non-dues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and EBP program. The MHASC’s mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance, addressing various business needs including workforce, supply chain, revenue cycle, strategic growth solutions and more. Members are encouraged to visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about the resources available.

Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Ruthanne Sudderth at the MHA.