MHA Service Corporation Board Celebrates Partnerships and Successes

At its June 29 meeting, the MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities to address workforce challenges, behavioral health improvements, redesigning care, insurance market solutions and more. The board considered strategies to leverage partnerships and meet the pressing needs of MHA members with short- and long-term solutions.

The board was joined by Alex Herbison, vice president, AMN Leadership Solutions, for an overview of services offered through B.E. Smith and AMN Language Services, which include executive recruitment, interpretation services and more. These companies are among those being considered as new Endorsed Business Partners in the coming weeks.

The board celebrated the “2022 Outstanding Performance” award given to the MHA Unemployment Compensation Program (MHA-UCP) by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies. This award recognizes the MHA-UCP’s timeliness and thoroughness in responses to new unemployment claims. More importantly, the award reflects the MHA-UCP’s commitment to reducing its clients’ unemployment liability exposure and its efforts to prevent unemployment fraud.

The MHASC board recognized Gwen MacKenzie, senior advisor, McKinsey and Company, for her leadership as the inaugural chair and expressed appreciation for her strategic and thoughtful guidance through the pandemic. The board also recognized incoming chair Kent Riddle, CEO, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, and appointed incoming vice-chair, Bill Manns, CEO, Bronson Healthcare Group, Kalamazoo, and wished them well in their leadership roles. Mackenzie was reappointed to a three-year term on the MHASC board.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of nondues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other business needs. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available. Questions regarding the MHASC Board should be directed to Peter Schonfeld at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 21, 2022

MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 updateCombating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Feb. 14

The current surge of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has continued its downward trend. The seven-day average of hospitalizations in the U.S. as of Feb. 13 was 80,185, down from 136,534 Jan. 20. Michigan hospitalizations for confirmed and suspected cases …


capitol building

Supplemental Budget Signed, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation Passed

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Feb. 16 signed House Bill 5523, a $1.2 billion supplemental funding bill that focuses on keeping kids learning in-person and bolstering the state’s healthcare workforce. This legislation directs $300 million to …


MHA Virtual Member Forum to Review Strategic Action Plan Priorities

The MHA will host a virtual member forum from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 to outline the MHA 2021-2022 program year’s strategic action plan, which the MHA Board of Trustees approved in August. The forum will review the priorities set for the year, progress to date, and the tactics the …


Feb. 22 Webinar to Outline Housing Options for Those in Need

Throughout the pandemic, being nimble and recognizing that much in the social support sector is in flux has been crucial, as has being intentional about identifying key areas and needs, including housing. Housing interventions improve housing stability and health outcomes while decreasing healthcare …


Webinar Explores Changing Environment of Digital Marketing for Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly changing competitive environment are making the consumer digital experience a higher priority for healthcare marketers than ever before. With budgets rebounding and marketers accelerating efforts in personalization, healthcare marketers must invest in new …


WELL-B Program Registration Extended

Registration has been extended to March 29 for the Well-being Essentials for Learning Life-Balance webinar series. WELL-B is a behavioral health training program for the healthcare workforce that delivers weekly webinars on evidence-based well-being topics, including prevalence …


Eligibility Expanded for ED Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has launched an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder …


Workforce, Operational Challenges Addressed at MHASC Board, HR Committee Meetings

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities including behavioral health, workforce sustainability, data strategy, cybersecurity and diversifying MHASC products, services, and partnerships. To receive an update …


Online Workforce Solutions Available

The MHA and the Michigan Health Council announced two offerings as means for strengthening the nursing workforce. The Clinical Faculty Academy is designed to expand the pool of nurses involved in educating the next generation of nurses and to increase nursing school enrollments. …


Submit Proposals to Present at The Root Cause Coalition National Summit

The MHA is a member of The Root Cause Coalition, whose mission is to reverse and end the systemic root causes of health inequities for individuals and communities through cross-sector partnerships. The coalition has opened its request for proposals to present at the seventh National Summit on the …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Highlights Board Engagement

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, is now available and contains valuable information on board engagement. COVID-19 has tested boards’ abilities to lead in times of prolonged and daunting pressures, and time …


Laura Appel speaks Feb. 14 with WILX News 10.

Media Recap: Appel Discusses Workforce Issues

Laura Appel, senior vice president, health policy & innovation, MHA, was quoted in stories the week of Feb. 14 discussing issues impacting the healthcare workforce. Hospitals across the country are concerned about anticompetitive activity and questionable pricing from …


The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Healthcare Value Agenda 3.0: What to Expect in 2022 and Beyond

“The value agenda in U.S. healthcare is transitioning to version 3.0. While the aim of replacing fee-for-service incentives remains the same, the next version will be decidedly different.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 14, 2022

Workforce, Operational Challenges Addressed at MHASC Board, HR Committee Meetings

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities including behavioral health, workforce sustainability, data strategy, cybersecurity and diversifying MHASC products, services, and partnerships. To receive an update on the action plan, members are invited to register for the Feb. 24 MHA Strategic Action Plan Forum.

The board discussed strategies for re-designing care and how the MHASC can support efforts in this space. MHA Endorsed Business Partner care.ai sponsored a joint lunch for MHA and MHASC board members and provided an opportunity to demonstrate its Smart Care Facility Operating Platform.

The MHASC Human Resources (HR) Committee met Jan. 31 to discuss current HR priorities and review its role in guiding the MHASC’s purpose and direction as it addresses issues including workforce sustainability, retention and recruitment, talent development, well-being and safety. Members provided feedback on current workforce-related legislative efforts and shared valuable insights with colleagues during a round-table session addressing workforce shortage issues. The MHASC is working with the HR Committee to develop future educational programming and networking opportunities, including the potential for holding an upcoming Michigan Healthcare Human Resources Conference. Finally, the committee received a report from new MHA endorsed business partner LifeWorks, highlighting virtual mental health therapy guided by professional therapists with the same clinical efficacy as traditional cognitive behavioral therapy.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of nondues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other business needs. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available. Questions regarding the MHASC Board and MHASC HR Committee should be directed to Peter Schonfeld at the MHA.

MHASC Board and HR Committee Focus on Action Plan

The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board held a retreat Oct. 7 to evaluate nondues revenue sources that provide financial support to the MHA and to highlight key initiatives that the MHASC is tasked with supporting in the 2021-2022 MHA Strategic Action Plan. These initiatives include workforce sustainability, behavioral health, data strategy, cybersecurity, and diversifying MHASC products, services and partnerships. Workforce sustainability is a top priority for the MHA, and the board explored ways the MHASC can develop and enhance programs and partnerships that best serve members. Members may learn more about the Strategic Action Plan by registering for a virtual MHA Member Forum scheduled from 10 to 11 a.m. Oct. 15.

The board also recognized the MHA Data Services and MHA Unemployment Compensation divisions for serving MHA members with a comprehensive and consultative approach throughout the pandemic. The board received an overview of a potential partnership with LifeWorks highlighting strategies to support behavioral health priorities for MHA members. LifeWorks graciously sponsored a reception with the MHASC board at the meeting.

The MHASC Human Resources (HR) Committee met Sept. 30 to discuss current HR priorities and review its role in guiding the company’s purpose and direction in addressing issues including workforce retention and recruitment, talent development, well-being and safety. The HR Committee has served as a collaborative body for HR leaders to address issues since it was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the committee received a report from new MHA endorsed business partner NextJob highlighting career development and outplacement services available for MHA members. NextJob also invites MHA members to register for a webinar Oct. 12 on Building a Professional Brand for Career Growth to address healthcare workforce sustainability and resiliency for staff.

The MHASC provides critical support to the MHA in the form of nondues revenue through its Data Services, Unemployment Compensation Program and Endorsed Business Partner program to address workforce, financial and other business needs. Visit the MHA Business Services webpage to learn more about resources available. Questions regarding the MHASC board and MHASC HR Committee should be directed to Peter Schonfeld at the MHA.