Tag: Michigan Legislature

MHA Monday Report Jan. 26, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

House Appropriations Committee Hears RHTP Testimony, IMLC Bill Advances

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on federal funding awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), and legislation to add Michigan back into the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) advanced during the week of Jan. 19.  The House Appropriations Committee heard …

Legislative Policy Panel Hears Legislative Updates

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually Jan. 21 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting began with guest speakers from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and The Cornerstone …

CMS Implements New Online Form for Medicare Advantage Complaints

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently implemented a new online form for providers to submit complaints related to Medicare Advantage plans. A CMS memorandum announced the implementation of the form, which is …

MHA Launches Rural Health Transformation Program Webpage

The MHA has launched a new webpage dedicated to the Rural Health Transformation Program, providing members with a centralized source of information on Michigan’s participation in the program. The webpage includes an overview of …

Updates to Michigan’s Reporter Protocols for Infants Born Exposed to Substances

Michigan has updated its mandated reporter guidance for infants born exposed to substances, establishing distinct reporting requirements for exposure to non-medically prescribed substances and exposure related to prescribed treatment. The updates are intended to clarify …

Webinar Explores Strategies to Strengthen Revenue Integrity

The MHA and MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare Revenue Cycle Solutions will host A Tale of Three Health Systems: Their Mid-Revenue Cycle Insights and Road to Revenue Integrity webinar from 11 to 11:50 …

Hospitals Help: Corewell Health Program Addresses Youth Vaping Prevention, Cessation

Rural schools in Newaygo County, like so many across Michigan, were seeing an increase in the number of students caught vaping. To address this community-wide concern, Corewell Health Gerber Hospital established the Corewell Health Gerber …

Keckley Report

CMS’ 2024 Health Spending Report: Key Insights

“As media attention focused on Minneapolis, Greenland and Venezuela last week, the Center for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) released its 2024 Health Expenditures report Thursday: the headline was “Health care spending in the US reached $5.3 trillion and increased 7.2% in 2024, similar to growth of 7.4% in 2023, as increased demand for health care influenced this two-year trend. “…

The current environment for the healthcare economy is increasingly hostile to the status quo. Voters think the system is wasteful, needlessly complicated and profitable. Lawmakers think it’s no man’s land for substantive change, defaulting to price transparency, increased competition and state regulation in response. Private employers, who’ve bear the brunt of the system’s ineffectiveness, are timid and reformers are impractical about the role of private capital in the health economy’s financing.

The healthcare economy will be an issue in Campaign 2026 not because aggregate spending increased 7-8% in 2025 per CMS, but because it’s no longer justifiable to a majority of Americans for whom it’s simply not affordable. Regrettably, as noted in Corporate Board Member’s director surveys, only one in five healthcare Boards is doing scenario planning with this possibility in mind.

Paul Keckley, Jan. 18, 2026

New to KnowNews to Know

  • The MHA Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council met virtually Jan. 15 to identify ways to support the MHA strategic action plan.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce|Q is hosting the webinar Proactive Cyber Risk Measures from 11 a.m. to noon ET on Jan. 29.
  • The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 6. The cohort meets Feb. 25–27 and May 7–8 at the MHA headquarters in Okemos.

 

MHA Monday Report Jan. 19, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

Michigan Legislature Resumes Session, International Medical Graduate Bills Clear House Rules

The 103rd Michigan Legislature resumed session for the 2025-26 term during the week of Jan. 12, with the MHA continuing to work with lawmakers on initiatives that prioritize patients, providers, and hospitals and improve the health of …

MHA EventsRegistration is Now Open for the 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference

Registration is now open for the upcoming MHA Human Resources Conference scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 24 at the Crowne Plaza, Lansing, a must-attend event for HR leaders, talent professionals and executives …

MDHHS Opens Applications for RHT Advisory Council

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is accepting applications to serve on the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Advisory Council, which will support implementation of Michigan’s RHT Program to improve rural health. The …

HHS Updates Childhood Immunization Schedule

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. directed Jan. 5 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to revise the U.S. child and adolescent immunization schedule, reducing the number of universally recommended …

MDHHS Seeks Proposals for Children Trust Michigan Primary Prevention Program Grants

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently released a grant funding opportunity to prevent child abuse and neglect. This funding opportunity aims to prevent child abuse and neglect by developing protective factors that promote healthier and resilient …

Speaking Health Care™: A Guide to Understanding Healthcare Language

Orienting new trustees extends far beyond a single session. New members usually require months to get fully up-to-speed on strategic priorities and the basic expectations for trustees. A daunting challenge is interpreting language about operations, …

Michigan State Loan Repayment Program 2026 Application Period Opens March 2

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently announced an updated application period for the 2026 Michigan State Loan Repayment Program (MSLRP), which will be open from March 2 through April 30, 2026. …

Hospitals Help: MyMichigan Clinics Improve Access to Timely Care

MyMichigan Health established the Continuing Care Clinics in 2023 to serve residents across its 26-county service region who lack timely access to primary care physicians. These clinics are pivotal during critical health transitions, offering responsive …

Keckley Report

JPM Health Conference 2026: The Trump Effect

“This week, 8000 healthcare operators and investors will head west to the 44th Annual JP Morgan Health Conference in San Francisco. Per JPM: “The (invitation-only) conference serves as a vital platform for networking, deal-making, and discussing the latest innovations in healthcare, attracting global industry leaders, emerging companies, and members of the investment community.” Daily media coverage will be provided by Modern Healthcare and STAT and most of the agenda will be at the St. Francis Hotel at Union Square. …

It’s populism vs. corporatization. Healthcare’s proclivity for self-praise, addiction to “Best of…” recognition, celebrity CEOs and handsome executive compensation have postured it as “Big Business” in the eyes of most. Business practices associated with corporatization are fair game to the administration’s corrective agenda: hearings in the House Ways and Means and Energy and Commerce and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) committees will showcase the administration’s populist grievances. The administration will lavish advantages on private organizations that demonstrate support for its policies. …

The health system’s role in making matters better or worse for consumers will be front and center alongside housing and costs of living. That context will be key to discussions between health investors and companies seeking their funds, though subordinate to term sheets.

In 2026, the Trump effect on dealmaking in healthcare will be significant.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 11, 2026

New to KnowNews to Know

MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Jan. 19, in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters joined the Michigan Association of State Universities Jan. 13 in a media roundtable to discuss the economic impact of Michigan’s public universities, which generate nearly $45 billion in net new economic …

Michigan Legislature Resumes Session, International Medical Graduate Bills Clear House Rules

Member News

The 103rd Michigan Legislature resumed session for the 2025-26 term during the week of Jan. 12, with the MHA continuing to work with lawmakers on initiatives that prioritize patients, providers, and hospitals and improve the health of communities across the state. 

The House Rules Committee voted in support of House Bill (HB) 4925 and HB 4896 on Jan. 15. The bills, introduced by Rep. Phil Green (R-Watertown Township) and Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) respectively, would create a new pathway for certain internationally educated physicians to practice medicine in Michigan. The MHA supported this legislation in committee after securing key amendments. The bills now move to the full House for consideration. 

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team. 

Michigan Legislature Passes State Budget, Preserves Healthcare Funding

Member News

The Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed a state budget protecting all existing healthcare funding on Oct. 3.

House Bill (HB) 4706, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed by both chambers, includes the following:

  • Full funding for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.
    • Complete recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or red tape.
  • Restoration of Specialty Network Access Fee (SNAF) funding.
  • Continued support for the rural and OB stabilization pools.
  • Preserved funding to support Maternal Levels of Care verification.
  • Restoration of funding for the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) program.

This funding reinforces support for Michigan hospitals, healthcare workers and patients. Full funding for Medicaid means maintained access to healthcare for all patients across communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Furthermore, SNAF supports physician reimbursements for those providing care in vulnerable communities, while rural and OB stabilization pools ensure funding for rural areas and for labor and delivery services. Lastly, Maternal Levels of Care and MC3 funding were both sustained, safeguarding hospitals’ ability to collaborate among facilities and providers to guarantee women receive risk-appropriate maternal care as well as provide access to important pediatric behavioral health services in Michigan.

The MHA worked diligently with state lawmakers over the last several weeks to ensure this state budget protected hospitals, providers and patients, which led to the MHA’s full support of the finalized version of HB 4706. Following its passage, HB 4706 will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature and its enactment into law.

The MHA published a media statement celebrating the budget, which was picked up by Gongwer and Michigan Advance.

Members with questions about the state budget should contact the MHA Advocacy Team.

Michigan Legislature Champions Healthcare Funding

News Releases, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

MHA CEO Brian PetersThe Michigan Legislature passed a state budget that champions crucial healthcare funding and protects access to vital healthcare services across Michigan communities.

The fiscal year 2025 state budget and fiscal year 2024 supplemental proposals continue funding pools that support rural and critical access hospitals, obstetrical services, the Healthy Michigan Plan and Michigan’s Medicaid populations. Each of these pools help maintain access to care for underserved populations throughout the state.

The budget also includes new funding to support peer recovery coaches in hospitals to enhance substance use disorder services. These individuals are specifically trained to provide advanced peer recovery support services and are proven to help patients overcome obstacles in their substance use disorder recovery. Michigan joins the more than 38 other states in supporting this model of providing needed care.

We look forward to Gov. Whitmer signing this budget, which protects access to care and ensures hospitals can continue to advance the health of individuals and communities.

MHA CEO Report — Moving the Workforce Needle

Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, MHA Rounds
MHA Rounds image of Brian Peters

“Luck is not chance, it’s toil; fortune’s expensive smile is earned.” — Emily Dickinson

The healthcare workforce has been one of the MHA’s strategic action priorities for the past several years. As we near completion of our 2023-2024 program year, I’m extremely pleased to see the results of the MHA’s second annual hospital workforce survey, which shows Michigan hospitals are making real progress in reducing staffing shortages. Michigan hospitals hired more than 61,000 employees in 2023, including 13,000 nurses. Overall job vacancies were reduced by 29%, while nursing vacancies dropped by 44%. These gains are seen across nearly all job categories and they’re significant, with double-digit decreases for many of them. I can tell you with certainty: our “luck” in this regard has been earned through extremely hard work.

Michigan hospitals still have 19,000 job openings, including 4,700 for nurses, so more work and investment needs to be done. However, the accomplishments of Michigan hospitals in this area shows the recruitment, retention and training tactics implemented throughout the state are working.

It starts with retaining the existing workforce, which leads to improved morale and reduced recruiting expenses. Michigan hospitals are outperforming hospitals across the country when it comes to registered nurse retention. Michigan’s turnover rate is 3.7 percentage points lower than the national average. Offering better pay, improved benefits, flexible scheduling and integration of technology to improve patient monitoring and reduce the administrative burden on nurses are examples of tactics implemented by Michigan hospitals that are making a difference.

Michigan remains an aging state, and as more people become eligible for Medicare, the demand for healthcare services will continue to grow. In response, our hospitals are very serious about expanding the talent pipeline and increasing awareness of hospital careers to students. Hospitals are expanding educational opportunities and partnerships with higher education institutions to attract more students to healthcare, including clinical positions like nursing. The MHA is assisting by leading the MI Hospital Careers public awareness campaign that targets students and professionals considering a career change to consider healthcare as a great option.

The MHA also recently published the latest results from the Economic Impact of Healthcare in Michigan report, which shows the important role hospitals have in Michigan’s workforce and economy. Healthcare remains Michigan’s largest employer of direct, private-sector jobs. Hospitals provide the largest percentage of healthcare jobs in the state, employing 217,000 full-and part-time employees. Not only are these good-paying, stable jobs, but many offer career pathways that allow employees to further develop their skills and move up the job ladder with additional certifications and/or degrees. Many of Michigan’s communities also depend on their local hospital as one of, if not their very largest, employer.

These results led our conversations last week while a team of MHA staff attended the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference, connecting with business, higher education and political leaders throughout Michigan. In addition to this public announcement, we also produced a palm card and video for event attendees to highlight our work. Our goal is to increase the awareness of the large role hospitals play in the economy and the success they’re having in welcoming new talent to their organizations.

Reducing job vacancies and staffing shortages is a marathon and not a sprint. The Michigan Legislature has played a large part in assisting hospitals, whether it be through direct worker funding or new policies, such as increased penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers or allowing community colleges to offer Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree programs in collaboration with a four-year institution. The MHA is proud to help lead many of these discussions with policymakers to find more ways to reduce barriers to healthcare careers.

Public policy, advocacy and communications are key – but we are using every tool in our toolbox to address our workforce challenges. The MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) program promotes industry-leading firms, carefully vetted by the MHA, that can meet the most pressing needs of our member hospitals and health systems, and we just announced a new endorsement of AMN Healthcare as a national leader in workforce solutions. The MHA has endorsed several of AMN’s legacy brands, including Merritt Hawkins, a physician search division, for many years. As AMN brings its solutions under one brand, we proudly continue this partnership with AMN Healthcare. They are the largest workforce solutions company in the market, which allows them to serve clients more effectively across all levels of healthcare.

Economic development and workforce are not just a one-year strategy. This will continue to remain a priority for hospitals and health systems, and we’re encouraged that at this time next year, we will have a similar story to tell in the reduced number of healthcare vacancies in the state. Until then, please join us and encourage as many people as you can to consider a job in healthcare. Make no mistake: whether clinical or non-clinical, healthcare is hard work; but it truly is one of the most rewarding, mission-driven careers you can pursue.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Michigan Legislature Advances Healthcare and Economic Measures

Member News
capitol building

capitol buildingThe Michigan Legislature reviewed, discussed and moved forward legislation the week of March 4 that positively impacts patients, hospitals and health systems. Notably, the legislature took final action a bill related to the Renaissance Zone Act, while committees reported out bills related to scope of practice and organ donation.

House Bill (HB) 5096, sponsored by Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids), makes important changes to the state’s Renaissance Zone Act. These changes allow for more local governments to take advantage of the benefits of a renaissance zone designation and increase flexibility around those designations. Renaissance zones support economic development opportunities and allow for important economic drivers, like hospitals, to thrive in a variety of circumstances. Without these alterations, hospitals who may benefit from their locality being designated as a renaissance zone would be unable to realize significant opportunity to maintain or increase access to care in vulnerable communities. The positive impact this could have on hospitals and health systems in Michigan is why the MHA supported this legislation. HB 5096 passed both chambers and it is on its way to Gov. Whitmer’s desk.

HB 5114, sponsored by Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor), aligns the Mental Health Code with the Public Health Code when defining scope for recognized clinical providers. Certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists-certified and physician assistants are not recognized currently in the Michigan Mental Health Code. This lack of inclusion results in care gaps and confusion regarding the scope of those professionals, depending on the patient they may be serving or the location within a hospital they may be working. The state continues to struggle with healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in the behavioral health space. Alignment throughout Michigan’s compiled laws allows for certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists-certified and physician assistants to provide care to the fullest extent possible. Without this definitional change, those providers will continue to be precluded from fully participating in the behavioral health care continuum. The House Health Policy Behavioral Health Subcommittee took testimony and recommended the full committee move forward with the change. The MHA supports this legislation and looks forward to further committee activity in the full House Health Policy Committee.

Lastly, the House Tax Policy Committee took testimony on and affirmatively voted out HB 4361 sponsored, by Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor), which creates a tax credit for living organ donors. The adopted substitute language of the bill allows for an individual who donates an organ to claim a one-time $10,000 tax credit for the costs associated with being a living organ donor. Living organ donations increase the existing organ supply and create opportunities for individuals on the transplant list to receive an organ potentially sooner. Organs available for living donation include whole organs, like a kidney, pancreas intestine, and in rare cases, heart, as well as partial organs like a lung or liver lobe donation. Creating policies at the state level that support individuals choosing to be a living organ donor could result in increased donors and therefore more opportunities for individuals to receive an organ donation. HB 4361 will move on for consideration by the full House of Representatives and is supported by Gift of Life Michigan, Living Liver Foundation and the National Kidney Foundation.

Members with questions may contact Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.