MHASC Board Engages in Strategic Planning Retreat

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board met Oct. 21 to discuss healthcare market strategies to identify, diversify and grow solutions for MHA members and clients. The board’s strategic planning retreat focused on creative ideation and brainstorming how the MHASC can support the key pillars of the MHA Strategic Action Plan (SAP): protecting patient access to care, workforce support, support for mental and behavioral health and creating healthy communities. Members are invited to register for the virtual member forum scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on Nov. 7 to learn more about the MHA 2025-26 SAP.

The MHASC featured SmarterDx as a new endorsed business partner that has developed a clinical AI platform to help hospitals and health systems analyze complete patient records and fully capture the value of care provided. Founded by physicians in 2020, its proprietary AI platform understands the nuances of clinical reasoning, enabling hospitals to stay true to the patient record for every discharge. By doing so, hospitals can recover earned revenue, enhance care quality metrics and optimize healthcare operations. Wayne Grodsky, chief commercial officer, SmarterDx, explored how its solutions can rapidly improve a hospital’s financial performance through advanced revenue cycle analysis.

The board also recognized outgoing member Marita Hattem-Schiffman, central region president, MyMichigan Health, for her upcoming retirement and many years of service in rural healthcare leadership.

The MHASC continues to work closely with its business solutions to address challenges and opportunities for MHA members to explore innovations to improve value and performance. Members with questions regarding the MHASC Board may contact Lindsay Peters at the MHA. Members with questions regarding the endorsed business partner program may contact Rob Wood at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report July 14, 2025

Medical Debt Legislation Introduced, Maternal and Behavioral Health Bills Clear Senate

Legislation addressing medical debt was introduced in the Michigan State Senate June 26. The bipartisan three-bill package, Senate Bills 449, 450 and 451, codify the existence of hospital financial assistance programs, create new …


MHA Service Corporation Highlights Security Technology Solutions and Action Plan Priorities

The MHA Service Corporation board held its final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of protecting access, workforce support, strengthening cybercrime and cybersecurity policy, mental …


CMS Releases Home Health PPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule updating the home health prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year 2026. Highlights of the proposed rule include: A 6% …


Deadline Approaching to Qualify for MDHHS Maternal Health Quality Payments

Birthing hospitals pursuing the 2025 Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Maternal Health Quality Payments must meet all requirements by July 31 to receive payments. Eligibility requirements include full participation in the Michigan …


Free Substance Use Disorder Technical Assistance Available

The Michigan Opioid Partnership is offering free, tailored technical assistance to help Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers improve care for patients with substance use disorders, whether they are implementing new protocols or strengthening existing …


Virtual Maternal Health Quality Improvement Courses Available

The Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) is offering virtual modules to support maternal health quality improvement efforts. All obstetric team members at MI AIM participating birthing hospitals are encouraged to complete …


MHA Shares State Impacts and Insights at Regional 340B Roundtable

MHA staff attended the Regional 340B Roundtable July 8 in Florence, IN to join colleagues from the Indiana Hospital Association, Ohio Hospital Association, Kentucky Hospital Association and endorsed business partner, SunRx, to share best practices for successful 340B administration and …


MHA Releases Executive Summary of Final LARA Rules for Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery

The MHA recently released an executive summary regarding administrative rules finalized by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), updating licensing and practice standards for osteopathic medicine and surgery in Michigan. The rules, …


MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — A Year of Progress and Purpose

With another program year behind us, the MHA Annual Meeting served as a powerful reminder of our shared mission to advance the health and well-being of Michigan’s patients and communities. Despite an evolving political landscape, we’ve made meaningful progress and are moving …


Keckley Report

Special Edition: Lessons from the ACA applicable to the Big Beautiful Bill

“One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) passed both houses of Congress by the thinnest of margins and was signed into law by President Trump last Thursday. It is the most significant legislation for U.S. healthcare since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) signed into law by President Obama March 23, 2010. …

It’s too soon to know what the results will be for OBBBA. Many fear it will cause irreparable damage to the safety net—public health programs, rural and safety net hospitals, nursing homes and others that serve lower-income and disabled populations. Some see it as a necessary reset asserting waste, fraud and abuse in healthcare has been allowed to fester, harming those in bona-fide need and keeping resources in healthcare better used elsewhere.

What’s known for sure is that opinions about the OBBBA will change as it’s implemented over the next four years. How states address work requirements and implementation will be central to its success.  And executive orders, administrative actions, court decisions and market conditions will alter its trajectory—especially economic conditions at home.”

Paul Keckley, July 6, 2025


New to KnowNews to Know

MHA Endorsed Business Partner CorroHealth, is hosting the webinar Price Transparency in 2025: What’s Required, What’s Coming, What to do Now, for MHA members from 2 to 3 p.m. ET July 16.


MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage during the weeks of June 30 and July 7 on Medicaid cuts included in the federal budget reconciliation bill. MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel …

MHA Service Corporation Highlights Security Technology Solutions and Action Plan Priorities

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held its final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of protecting access, workforce support, strengthening cybercrime and cybersecurity policy, mental and behavioral health, and creating healthy communities. Members are encouraged to review the recent MHA CEO Report for more information on the association’s efforts to address these ongoing priorities.

The board was joined by Jason Slocum, CEO, i2G Systems, a Michigan-based electronic security technology service provider, for an overview of i2G’s Security Alignment Program. Their revolutionary integrated approach to security allows for hospitals and healthcare systems to measure how well public safety investments are performing against policies in real time. This encompasses a broad spectrum of services and technologies, ranging from access control, advanced surveillance, perimeter and outdoor areas, analytics, visitor/vendor management and emergency response systems. The partnership with i2G Systems aligns with the MHA’s priority to prevent workplace violence and keep healthcare workers, patients and visitors safe. Members may contact Ashtyn DeShais, account manager at i2G Systems to learn more.

The MHASC board had several appointments and reappointments, adding depth and breadth of expertise. The board welcomed new board members Brittany Bogan, associate COO, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital & Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor; and Christopher Fulks, interim CEO at Lake Huron Medical Center, and regional CFO, Prime Healthcare, Garden City. Fulks also accepted a MHA Ludwig Community Benefit award.

The board affirmed the reappointments of Paul Karsten, CFO, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, as were the following individuals:

  • Peter Marinoff, south region president, Munson Healthcare
  • Andrea Poulopoulos, senior vice president, supply chain, Corewell Health

The board recognized outgoing board member Saju George, regional CEO, Prime Healthcare, and thanked him for continued service on the MHA Board of Trustees. The MHASC board also honored Ruthanne Sudderth, senior vice president and chief strategy officer, for providing strategic planning and oversight of the MHASC, including service as secretary of the board since 2023. Sudderth received a MHA Special Recognition Award and has moved on to a new opportunity outside of the MHA. The board welcomed Lindsay Peters, who will begin serving as vice president of the MHASC and board secretary in July.

The MHASC mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance through its Unemployment Compensation Program, Data Services and Endorsed Business Partner program. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available. Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Lindsay Peters at the MHA.

MHA Service Corporation Board Highlights Solutions and Mission

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held its final meeting of the 2023-2024 program year June 26 focused on supporting the MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities of workforce support and innovation, viability, behavioral health and health equity. The Board explored strategies to invest and diversify products and services, as well as how the MHA could approach “mission-focused” partnerships.

The board was joined by Dr. John Crongeyer, CEO, ModusOne Health, for an overview of the only physician-founded and physician-run Clinical Diagnosis Improvement (CDxI®) company that delivers robust monthly leaderboard-style reporting of provider accuracy in diagnosing patients on the conditions that most directly affect quality metrics and the financial bottom line. The MHASC is planning to launch new endorsed business partnerships in the coming months.

The MHASC board made several appointments and reappointments, adding depth and breadth of expertise by welcoming new board members Brian Brown, regional vice president of marketing & business development, McLaren Health Care, Grand Blanc; Ane McNeil, senior vice president of human resources, Trinity Health, Livonia; and Andrea Poulopoulos, senior vice president of supply chain, Corewell, Grand Rapids. The board affirmed the reappointments of Saju George, regional CEO, Prime Healthcare, Garden City, and vice chair Bill Manns, CEO, Bronson Healthcare, Kalamazoo. The board also recognized outgoing board members for their service, including inaugural chair Gwen MacKenzie, senior advisor, McKinsey and Company; Deloris Hunt, retired chief human resources officer, Michigan Medicine; Scott McLean, former managing director, Corewell Health Ventures; and Brian Connolly, Connolly Associates.

The MHASC mission is to deliver innovative solutions that help improve value and performance through its Unemployment Compensation Program, Data Services and Endorsed Business Partner program. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available.

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

MHA Monday Report Feb. 19, 2024

MHA Monday Report

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 …


Registration Open for 2024 Communications Retreat

Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Communications Retreat scheduled Tuesday, May 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henry Center for Executive Development in Lansing. The daylong event is geared toward the …


Online Learning Modules Created to Support Health Equity Programming

The MHA Keystone Center recently published an online learning module series to support hospitals and health systems in establishing and maintaining a health equity program compliant with new requirements from The Joint Commission and …


New CPT Codes for RSV Vaccine Administration

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services added two new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes for administration of monoclonal antibodies (Nirsevimab) for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), for dates of service on and after Oct. …


Act Fast: Register for 2024 MHA HR Conference

Registration is open for the 2024 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 5, 2024 at the ACH Hotel Marriott University Area, Lansing. Attending the conference provides human resource (HR) professionals with an opportunity …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Highlights AI Controversies and Philanthropic Strategy

The February edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes articles on artificial intelligence (AI) and philanthropy. There is no question that artificial intelligence will fundamentally transform healthcare. It …


The Keckley Report

Two Lawsuits. Two Issues. One Clear Message.Paul Keckley

“Last Monday, two lawsuits were filed that strike at a fundamental challenge facing the U.S. health system …

The issue is this: is a health system’s liable when its consolidation activities result in higher prices for services provided communities and employers in communities where they operate? Is there a direct causal relationship between a system’s consolidation activities and their prices, and how should alleged harm be measured and remedied? …

Healthcare organizations and their trade groups can no longer defend against lack of transparency by defaulting to the complexity of our supply chains and payment systems. They’re excuses. The realities of generative AI and interoperability assure information driven healthcare that’s publicly accessible and inclusive of prices, costs, outcomes and business practices. In the process, the public’s interest will heighten and lawsuits will increase. …”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 12, 2024


News to Know

  • MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Feb. 19 in honor of President’s Day.
  • The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program March 13-15 and May 1-2.
  • The AHA’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity recently launched their 2024 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Survey.