Tag: nurse staffing ratios

MHA CEO Report — Prioritizing our Workforce

Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare, MHA Rounds

“When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” – Simon Sinek 

Workforce Support and Innovation is the top priority for the MHA this program year, as identified by our board of trustees and echoed by every member hospital and health system throughout the state. This should come as no surprise, as few sectors of our Michigan economy have been more challenged in this regard. I am proud to say the MHA has tackled this challenge head-on, using every tool in our increasingly diverse association toolbox.

For our members, we know delivering exceptional care begins with hiring, developing and retaining quality talent. We also know that the demographic realities of an aging population and the associated retirements, rising stress and burnout, and increased rates of violence against healthcare workers are all contributing to retention challenges and staffing shortages. Finally, as with any daunting issue, we know the best way for us to be helpful to our members is to first tap their expertise, letting them share the details of their day-to-day experience so we can identify the most impactful solutions both inside and outside of the public policy domain. In short, we listen.

Through our MHA Human Resources & Workforce Council, we convene our HR professionals to discuss issues such as workforce development, the education and training pipeline, diversity, equity and inclusion efforts, workplace safety, and emerging technologies that can aid in the completion of clinical and non-clinical tasks. The council generates robust information sharing on best practices, as well as discussion on HR-related legislative and regulatory proposals at the state and federal level.

Our work with this council does not occur in a vacuum but is instead complemented by our continual engagement with MHA committees, councils and task forces that include chief medical officers, chief nursing officers, hospital and health system attorneys and government affairs leaders. So, what have we accomplished to date? The list is long and impressive. Just a few examples:

  • Over the past two state budget cycles, we secured $300 million in new funding for our member hospitals for the specific purpose of workforce recruitment and retention.
  • We launched the new MI Hospital Careers campaign, which has helped to shine a light on hospitals and healthcare as a viable career path for Michiganders. We also continue to partner with state universities and community colleges to ramp up health-related training programs.
  • We successfully advocated for Public Acts 271 and 272 of 2023, recently signed by Gov. Whitmer, which increase the penalties for violence committed towards healthcare workers or volunteers.
  • Our MHA Keystone Center launched the Well-B workforce well-being initiative, which has now reached thousands of hospital workers and is contributing to enhanced resiliency of our front-line caregivers.
  • Our MHA Graphic Services division designed and produced workplace safety posters, which are now prominently displayed in hospitals throughout Michigan.
  • The MHA is hosting our annual Human Resources Conference this month, which brings together chief human resource officers and leaders to collaborate, strategize and network. The conference is headlined by Kerry Ebersole Singh, the chief talent solutions & engagement officer at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Her presence confirms the MEDC’s recognition of the significant role healthcare plays in our state’s labor force and economic success – a fact we annually lift up in our Economic Impact of Healthcare report.
  • The MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) plays a vital role in this realm. Our HR Conference is sponsored by MHA Endorsed Business Partners AMN Healthcare and Salary.com (as well as MHA members Executive Core and HPS, and event sponsor Vault Verify), who are all involved in the workforce solutions space. The MHASC is working with partners who assist hospitals with de-escalation training and staff safety, virtual nursing programs and other emerging technologies, and more.
  • The MHASC is crucial to our work here in yet another way. The MHA Unemployment Compensation Program has a decades-long track record of success, saving millions of dollars every year for their more than 700 clients.

Everything listed is an example of proactive, positive activity. In other words, “playing offense.” Of course, one of our most significant activities in the workforce realm is an example of “playing defense” by ensuring government mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation that would significantly jeopardize patient access to care is not advanced by the state legislature. As discussed at length in a recent CEO Report, the MHA has worked very effectively to explain the complexity associated with hospital staffing and the tangible solutions that will actually address workforce shortages.

There is no silver bullet to solving healthcare’s workforce challenges. Michigan’s population is not growing and there are many market forces at play unique to healthcare. However, I’m extremely pleased by the work our own MHA staff has put forth to best position our members to achieve our workforce goals. And it couldn’t be done without the engagement from our colleagues in hospitals throughout the state who are doing all they can to ensure access to high quality care 24/7/365. Collectively, these are people who are clearly emotionally invested and making significant contributions to this worthy cause.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Headline Roundup: Cybersecurity & Nurse Staffing Ratios

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Member News
MHA CEO Brian Peters

The MHA received media coverage since Jan. 4 related to hospital cybersecurity, proposed legislation mandating hospital nurse staffing ratios and maternal health. Below is a collection of headlines from around the state, which include interviews with MHA CEO Brian Peters.

Friday, Jan. 12

Wednesday, Jan. 10

Sunday, Jan. 7

Thursday, Jan. 4

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

MHA CEO Report — A Legislative Year to Remember

MHA Rounds

“Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer.” ―  John F. Kennedy

Given that the Michigan Legislature has officially adjourned sine die, it is now an appropriate time to reflect on the success of our MHA advocacy throughout 2023. As always, healthcare was in the spotlight as a political and public policy priority. Our team was incredibly busy as we worked to support bills that would advance the health of individuals and communities, and to oppose those bills that would run counter to our mission.

A full recap of these pertinent bills is available, but I want to lift up a few of particular importance. First, for many years, the MHA has advocated for healthcare workers to have similar protections from violence as other first responders. We’re thankful House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase the penalties for assaulting a healthcare worker or volunteer are soon to be signed by Gov. Whitmer. We know this legislation is just one step towards improving workplace safety and our association will continue to work on more opportunities to protect the healthcare workforce from violence through our advocacy at the state and federal level, the MHA Keystone Center and the MHA Service Corporation.

In addition, the governor signed legislation that will add protections found in the Affordable Care Act to Michigan law. Public Acts 156-163 of 2023 memorialize important protections for Michiganders, such as no-cost essential services, including preventive, mental health and emergency services. A variety of other bills await the return of the legislature in 2024 on issues including auto no-fault insurance, telemedicine, sharps containers, behavioral health policy, maternal and infant health and more.

Of course, seeing no action besides testimony on House Bills 4550-4552 is another testament to the work of our team. These bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals and create significant access issues for patients. As discussed at length in a recent CEO Report, the MHA has communicated with all 148 state legislators to explain the complexity associated with hospital staffing and the tangible solutions that will actually address workforce shortages. We have significantly increased the awareness and understanding of the issue for lawmakers, and the bills not receiving a vote in committee is an example of our effectiveness in that regard.

In addition to all these policy-oriented items, we successfully advocated to protect Medicaid funding for hospitals, including graduate medical education, rural access and OB stabilization, and also secured new funding for recruitment and retention of healthcare workers and for pediatric behavioral health. And of course, we stood tall to prevent any erosion in our Certificate of Need laws, or our medical liability reform protections, both of which continue to play an important role in ensuring access to quality, affordable care for all.

Our work also extends to Washington DC and Capitol Hill. We continue to work closely with the American Hospital Association on federal advocacy that supports Michigan hospitals on issues including Medicare policy, site-neutral payments, the 340B drug pricing program, the healthcare workforce and much more. And just as we have benefitted tremendously from our partnership with Public Affairs Associates (PAA) as our long-time advocacy firm here in Lansing, we are also pleased with our new partnership with Cornerstone Government Affairs, which is helping us with our important work at the federal level.

We cannot accomplish our advocacy goals without the individual commitment from our member hospitals and health systems, large and small. At the end of the day, our unity is our strength; a great example of this is the unified opposition letter – representing 100% of our membership – that we shared with lawmakers last month in opposition to the nurse staffing legislation.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the year ahead. As widely reported, the state House is evenly split between Republicans and Democrats until special elections are held next April. It is also no secret that 2024 is a presidential election year, with all the political dynamics and theatre that will inevitably accompany the entire process. Finally, depending on the outcome of the November election, the lame-duck session that will follow could either be a low-key affair with not much on the agenda…. or a nerve-wracking period fraught with unexpected twist and turns that could directly impact multiple priority issues. Regardless, I am extremely confident the MHA will continue to deliver outstanding results that support our healthcare workers, our patients and communities.

As always, I welcome your thoughts.

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing Committee Hearing Recap

Member News, Patient Safety and Quality, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare

The MHA received media coverage the weeks of Nov. 6 and Nov. 13 regarding a committee hearing on proposed nurse staffing ratio legislation. Additional topics covered include hospital market activity, rural emergency hospitals, behavioral health, the state’s STEMI system and the latest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades.

The coverage includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters, as well as MHA board member Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; and Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan. MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel also appears in an American Hospital Association podcast episode.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Nov. 16

Friday, Nov. 10

Thursday, Nov. 9

Wednesday, Nov. 8

Tuesday, Nov. 7

Monday, Nov. 6

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

House Committee Hears Testimony on One-Size-Fits-All Nurse Staffing Ratios

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA board member Beth Charlton provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
MHA board member Beth Charlton provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
MHA board member Beth Charlton, BSN, RN, provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.

The House Health Policy Committee held a testimony-only hearing Nov. 9 on mandated nurse staffing ratio legislation, House Bills 4550-4552. The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals. The legislation, which does not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, is opposed by the MHA as well as a diverse set of coalition partners including health plans, chambers of commerce, other nursing organizations and healthcare providers. As evidenced in California, where there is a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years, this is a proposed policy in search of serious problems. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions during a national workforce crisis. The MHA will continue to propose real solutions to address healthcare workforce vacancies and oppose proposals that negatively impact the health of communities across Michigan.

The MHA, several member hospital nurse leaders, the Michigan Organization of Nursing Leadership and American Nurses Association – Michigan testified in opposition. Further, nurses and nurse leaders from across the state joined the MHA in advocating against this effort. The impact the legislation will have on patients in the state is too serious to ignore; hospital nurses showed up in droves to share their concerns for their patients, their communities and Michigan’s access to care.

Doug Dascenzo provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.
Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan, provides testimony to the House Health Policy committee.

In conjunction with the testimony, the MHA released a letter on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552. This follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.

The legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and further voting for the calendar year is not anticipated. However, work on this issue won’t stop. Members are encouraged to continue to contact their legislators through the MHA Legislative Action Center, participate in legislator’s local coffee hours and town halls, and connect with other local leaders to encourage opposition to legislation that will reduce access to care and harm communities.

Members with any questions may contact Adam Carlson and Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA.

An Open Letter to Michigan Patients and Communities

Member News, Issues in Healthcare, News Releases

The following letter is on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan.

Dear Michigan Families,

Our shared mission as hospitals is to advance the health of individuals and communities. For decades, we’ve worked collaboratively – not competitively – on the things that matter most to you: delivering safe, high-quality care when you need it, where you need it, whether that’s in downtown Detroit or the farthest reaches of the Upper Peninsula and everywhere in between. Maintaining timely access to services for every patient is what we work to preserve every single day.

Unfortunately, the Michigan Legislature is currently considering legislation that would result in the closure of more than 5,100 hospital beds statewide. That’s the equivalent of closing every hospital north of Grand Rapids and Flint. The legislation sounds good in a sound bite: more nurses at the bedside, ‘round the clock. But like most things in life, it’s not that simple. Michigan hospitals currently have 8,400 nurse openings posted on job boards. Hospitals are focused at the local level on listening to nurses, getting them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively and have work-life balance, and protecting them from violent attacks in the workplace. Hospitals proudly fought to get tougher penalties enacted for visitors who attack healthcare workers, and this week that bill will go to Governor Whitmer’s desk. We’re also focused on building effective care teams and not relying only on RNs to care for patients 24/7. We’re partnering with higher education to build nurse training and education programs and capacity.

Sadly, House Bills 4550 – 4552 override local nurses’ decision-making about how to staff their units and care for patients. Instead, they would implement a government mandate that would apply a one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient ratio for RNs in every hospital, no matter its size, location, how sick its patients are or how experienced its nurses and care teams are. We, 100% of Michigan’s hospitals, stand united in our opposition to this misguided legislation. The Michigan Organization of Nursing Leadership and the American Nurses Association – Michigan, who both recognize the unintended consequences the legislation would have on patient access, also oppose mandated staffing ratios.

We all want more nurses. That’s why we’re trying to hire 8,400 of them today. For hospitals to meet the mandates in the legislation, they would have to find more than 13,000 nurses to hire. If we can’t fill the 8,400 openings we have now, how would we fill 13,000 positions – and at a time when nurses are also critically needed in nursing homes and other settings? Unfortunately, this legislation will force the hospitals you rely on to be there if you’re in a car accident, fall off the ladder hanging Christmas lights or are battling a terrible disease, to either break the law and keep services running without the mandatory nurse ratios (which will also make healthcare more expensive due to billion dollars in fines that will be assessed), or instead, they will close services and beds. That means longer wait times for everything from emergency visits to surgeries. It means many of Michigan’s 130 hospitals could all be “on diversion” at the same time, meaning patients get bounced around because nobody has open beds. This is an awful experience for patients and could be deadly especially in Michigan’s rural areas or amidst bad weather. Studies have proven that statewide nurse patient ratios implemented in California did not improve safety or outcomes. Their hospitals overall are not safer than Michigan’s. Nurses did not flock to California when they adopted ratios. In fact, California currently has a nurse shortage numbering in the tens of thousands. Ratios didn’t fix that – and it won’t fix the shortage in Michigan.

Hospitals and our nurse leaders – as well as a large coalition of organizations across industries, who all oppose this legislation – are imploring the Legislature to preserve access to care, and let local patients’ needs drive a hospital’s staffing models. Let’s use innovative programs like virtual nursing to support patient care and let nurses do the bedside work they do best. Let our care teams work together across professions to ensure a patient gets what they need and we maintain a robust and diverse pipeline of patient care professionals. Let’s work together on common-sense solutions that nearly every other state has adopted, like being part of the national Nurse Licensure Compact allowing licensed nurses to work in other states. Let’s work together on rebuilding our nursing and patient care professional talent pipeline.

Adopting misguided legislation that will reduce services and close hospital beds, and that will do nothing to create the thousands of new nurses we need in Michigan, is bad public policy. Instead, let’s remember that there’s so much we have done, and can do, together. Let’s get to work on real solutions that will protect patients, protect access, grow the nursing workforce and ensure those nurses have safe, fulfilling workplaces.

Sincerely,

Brian Peters
CEO
Michigan Health & Hospital Association

Carol Schmidt
SVP Ascension, & Ministry Market Executive
Ascension Michigan

Dean Kindler MD
President & CEO SW Region
Ascension Borgess, Lee, Pipp & Allegan Hospitals

Douglas Apple MD
Chief Clinical Officer & Interim President and CEO Ascension Genesys Hospital

Michael Wiemann MD
Regional President & CEO
Ascension Michigan – Southfield, Novi, Rochester

Kevin Grady MD
Regional President & CEO
Ascension Michigan – Warren, Madison Heights, St. John and River District

Jordan Jeon
Interim Regional President Ascension
Ascension Standish Hospital and St. Joseph

Christine Harff BSN
Regional President, Upper Peninsula
Aspirus Iron River, Keweenaw and Ontonagon Hospitals

Paula Chermside
Chief Administrative Officer
Aspirus Ironwood Hospital & Clinics, Inc.

Rob Stowe
Chief Executive Officer
Baraga County Memorial Hospital

Maria Behr
President
Beacon Health System – Three Rivers Health System, Inc.

Dustin Ames
Chief Executive Officer
Beaumont Behavioral Health

Bill Manns
President & CEO
Bronson Healthcare Group

Steve Vernon
Chief Executive Officer
Cedar Creek Hospital

Fazleomar Mahmood MD
Chief Medical Officer
Chelsea Hospital

Benjamin Miles
President
Chelsea Hospital

Cheryl Taylor MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Chelsea Hospital

Tina Freese Decker
President & CEO
Corewell Health

Andrea Leslie MSN, RN
Regional Market Leader
Corewell Health Big Rapids, Greenville, and Reed City Hospitals

Darryl Elmouchi MD
Interim President, Corewell Health in Southeast Michigan
Corewell Health East

Chris Fox RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – St. Joseph Hospital

Drew Dostal BSN
Regional Market Leader
Corewell Health Ludington and Gerber Hospital

Bill Hoefer
Market Leader
Corewell Health Pennock and Zeeland Hospitals

Loren Hamel MD
President, Corewell Health in Southwest Michigan
Corewell Health South

Connie Harmon RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Corewell Health Watervliet Hospital

Alejandro Quiroga MD
President of Corewell Health West
Corewell Health West

Debbie Guido-Allen BSN, RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Dearborn

Derk Pronger
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Farmington Hills and Grosse Pointe

Daniel Carey MD
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak

Kristine Donahue RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Taylor, Trenton and Wayne

Nancy Susick MSN, RN
President
Corewell Health’s Beaumont Hospital, Troy

Beth Charlton BSN, RN
President/CEO
Covenant HealthCare

Angela McConnachie MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Deckerville Community Hospital and Marlette Regional Hospital

Brittany Lavis
Group Chief Executive Officer
Detroit Medical Center

Archie Drake BSN
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan

Brady Dubois
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Detroit Harper and Receiving Hospitals

Patty Jobbit
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Lance Beus
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital

Gary Purushotham
Chief Executive Officer
DMC Sinai-Grace Hospital

Timothy Johnson
President and Chief Executive Officer
Eaton Rapids Medical Center

Michael Nanzer
Chief Executive Officer
Forest View Hospital

Saju George
Regional CEO – Prime Healthcare MI Market
Garden City Hospital and Lake Huron Medical Center

Jill Wehner
President & CEO
Harbor Beach Community Hospital Inc.

Jamie White
Chief Executive Officer
Havenwyck

Michael Beaulieu MD
Chief Medical Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Hunter Nostrant
President & Chief Executive Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Michele Petersen MSN, BSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Helen Newberry Joy Hospital & Healthcare Center

Robert Riney
President and CEO
Henry Ford Health

Andrew Daniels
President & CEO
Hills & Dales General Hospital

Jeremiah Hodshire
President & Chief Executive Officer
Hillsdale Hospital

Dale Sowders
Chief Executive Officer
Holland Hospital

Patti VanDort MSN, RN
President
Holland Hospital

Melany Gavulic RN
President and CEO
Hurley Medical Center

Kevin Rogols
Chief Executive Officer
Kalkaska Memorial Health Center

Karen Cheeseman
President & Chief Executive Officer
Mackinac Straits Health System, Inc.

Amanda Shelast
President
Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson

Kent Riddle
Chief Executive Officer
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation

Steve Barnett CRNA
President & CEO
McKenzie Health System

Darrell Lentz
President & CEO
McLaren Bay Region

Connie Koutouzos
President & CEO
McLaren Caro Region & McLaren Thumb Region

Robert David
President and Chief Executive Officer
McLaren Central Michigan

Jeannie Sage MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
McLaren Central Michigan

Chris Candela
President & CEO
McLaren Flint

Kirk Ray
President & CEO
McLaren Greater Lansing

Philip Incarnati
President and Chief Executive Officer
McLaren Health Care

Tim Vargas
President & CEO
McLaren Lapeer Region

Thomas Brisse
President & CEO
McLaren Macomb

Chad Grant
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
McLaren Northern Michigan

Tracey Franovich RN
President & CEO
McLaren Oakland

Eric Cecava
President & CEO
McLaren Port Huron

Brian Long
President and CEO
Memorial Healthcare

Marilyn Beverly
President, Board of Trustees
Munising Memorial Hospital

Jim Parker
Chief Executive Officer
Munising Memorial Hospital

Edwin Ness
MHC President & CEO
Munson Healthcare

Peter Marinoff
Cadillac Community President, South Region President
Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital

Joanne Schroeder
President
Munson Healthcare Charlevoix Hospital

Kirsten Korth-White
President and CEO, Grayling Hospital & East Region President
Munson Healthcare Grayling Hospital

Kelly Tomaszewski MSN, RN
President
Munson Healthcare Manistee and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital

Christopher Squire
Community Hospital President
Munson Healthcare Otsego Memorial Hospital

Kathy Laraia
Interim President
Munson Medical Center

Lydia Watson MD
President and Chief Executive Officer
MyMichigan Health

Marita Hattem-Schiffman
Central Region President
MyMichigan Medical Center Alma, Clare and Mt. Pleasant

Michael Erickson
President Northern Region
MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena

Ray Stover
Eastern Region President
MyMichigan Medical Center Gladwin and West Branch

Chuck Sherwin
President
MyMichigan Medical Center Midland

Kevin Kalchik
President
MyMichigan Medical Center Sault

Gregg Beeg
President & CEO
Oaklawn Hospital

Kelly Jefferson MSN, RN
President
OSF St. Francis Hospital and Medical Group

Mark Eastburg
President and Chief Executive Officer
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services

Julie Yaroch DO
President
ProMedica Charles & Virginia Hickman Hospital

Darrin Arquette
President
ProMedica Monroe and Coldwater Regional Hospitals

Ross Ramsey MD
President and CEO
Scheurer Health

Andy Bertapelle MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital

Lili Petricevic BSN
Chief Executive Officer
Sheridan Community Hospital

Mark Brisboe
President
Sparrow Carson and Clinton Hospital

Linda Reetz BSN, RN
President
Sparrow Eaton and Ionia Hospitals

Denny Martin DO
President, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing
Sparrow Hospital

Bradley Bescoe
President and CEO
Straith Hospital for Special Surgery

Bobby Morin
Chief Operating Officer and CFO
Sturgis Hospital

Rob Casalou
President & CEO
Trinity Health Michigan, Florida and Georgia Regions

Shannon Striebich
President & CEO
Trinity Health Michigan

Katy Hoffman MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston

David Vandenberg MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Ann Arbor and Livingston

Alonzo Lewis
President
Trinity Health Ann Arbor Hospital

Shelleye Yaklin
President
Trinity Health Grand Haven Hospital

Michelle Pena MSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Grand Rapids

Matthew Biersack MD
President
Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital

Cindy Elliot MD
President
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

Mohammad Salameh MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health IHA Medical Group

John O’Malley
President
Trinity Health Livingston Hospital

Nick Nickolopoulos BSN, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Livonia

Lisa Kinsey Callaway MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Medical Group – West Michigan

Douglas Dascenzo DNP, RN
Regional Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Michigan

Rosalie Tocco-Bradley MD
Chief Clinical Officer
Trinity Health Michigan

Linda Dunmore RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Trinity Health Muskegon

Gary Allore
President
Trinity Health Muskegon Hospital

Fabian Fregoli MD
Chief Medical Officer
Trinity Health Oakland

Marschall Runge MD
Chief Executive Officer
Michigan Medicine

Margaret Dimond
Regional System President
University of Michigan Health

Ronald Grifka MD
President & CMO
University of Michigan Health – West

David Miller MD
President
University of Michigan Health

Mitch Leckelt
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Bell

Gar Atchison
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Marquette

Tonya Darner
Interim CEO
UP Health System – Marquette

Ryan Heinonen MSN, RN
Chief Executive Officer
UP Health System – Portage

Michigan Hospitals Express Unified Opposition to Legislation Threatening Access to Care

News Releases, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare
Brian Peters testifying in the House Health Policy committee.

The MHA published a letter today on behalf of all Michigan hospitals and health systems signifying their unified opposition to proposed House Bills 4550-4552, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan. MHA CEO Brian Peters announced the letter during his testimony in the House Health Policy Committee, which contains the names of leaders from all Michigan hospitals and health systems.

“Our hospitals are prepared to serve you and your loved ones on your worst day with high-quality, safe care,” said Peters. “We can’t risk losing experienced clinical judgment and local access to care. It is for these reasons that our membership is publishing a letter today signed by every hospital leader indicating our complete unified opposition to these bills.”

The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which do not create more nurses nor solve staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. California has a shortage of 40,000 registered nurses, despite the presence of mandated staffing ratios for 25 years. Michigan hospitals are currently trying to hire more than 8,400 nurses for vacant positions despite a national staffing shortage. Data from the Michigan Public Health Institute and the Bureau of Labor Statistics show that 85% of all licensed Michigan registered nurses currently living in the state below the age of 65 continue to work as nurses from a pool of 119,714 RNs.

Peters was joined for testimony by Beth Charlton, president and CEO, Covenant HealthCare; Doug Dascenzo, DNP, RN, chief nursing officer, Trinity Health Michigan; and Bonnie Kruszka, DNP, FNP-C, ENP-BC, RN, VP & chief nursing officer ambulatory services, Munson Healthcare.

A representative from American Nurses Association – Michigan also testified in opposition. The committee hearing included approximately 60 hospital representatives in attendance.

The testimony opposition follows the announcement earlier this week of a comprehensive coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations opposing the bills.

To learn more about the impact of the proposed legislation on care in Michigan, visit www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/key-issues/nurse-staffing-ratios.

Michigan Voters, Healthcare and Business Leaders Agree: One-Size-Fits-All Ratios Will Harm Patients

News Releases, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare
Michigan coalition opposing mandated nurse staffing ratios.

A diverse coalition of healthcare, business and advocacy organizations published a letter to members of the Michigan Legislature today opposing the proposed House Bills 4550-4552 and Senate Bills 334-336, which threaten to put patient care at risk across Michigan.

“These partners from a broad collection of industries all agree imposing a one-size-fits-all legislative mandate to hospital nurse staffing will harm patients and severely restrict access to care in Michigan communities,” said Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. “Our nurses, patients and communities deserve more than political posturing that puts healthcare access at risk.”

The proposed bills would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse staffing ratios for all Michigan hospitals, which would not solve existing staffing shortages, as evidenced in other states that have tried this policy. In California, which has had legislatively mandated staffing ratios for over two decades, the state still faces a shortage of 40,000 RNs. Additionally, Michigan outperforms California in hospital quality, as Michigan has both a higher percentage of 4- and 5-star hospitals than California (49% to 35.3%) and a lower percentage of 1- and 2-star hospitals (18.4% to 38.7%), according to CMS Care Compare Hospital Overall Star Ratings.

The United States is facing a national nurse shortage issue, exacerbated by the aging nursing workforce, as many experienced nurses approach retirement. Currently, 32.3% of licensed RNs in Michigan are 55 years of age or older and nearly 8,500 open nursing positions exist statewide. A survey of 109 Michigan hospitals conducted in July 2023 shows Michigan is at risk of losing up to 5,100 hospital beds across the state if this legislation is implemented. This total represents 23% of Michigan’s overall statewide hospital bed capacity and is equivalent to closing all hospitals north of Grand Rapids and Flint.

The coalition emphasizes that mandatory nurse staffing ratios have a broader impact beyond hospitals alone, affecting all healthcare providers’ ability to hire nurses. With a finite pool of available RNs, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities, physician practices and other healthcare settings will experience increased difficulty in recruiting and hiring nurses, especially as hospitals compete for the same talent pool.

“The entire healthcare sector is facing historic workforce shortages,” said Melissa Samuel, Health Care Association of Michigan President/CEO. “We all need more nurses. Unfortunately, these bills exacerbate the problem and fail to offer meaningful solutions.”

The potential impact to the business community is significant. Data collected from hospitals indicates the proposed ratios could increase healthcare costs by over $1 billion, impacting economic development and employers.

Recent EPIC-MRA polling of Michigan voters indicates that 82% do not believe the government should mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios in every hospital, and if the bills were to become law, 83% of Michigan voters would be concerned about their ability to receive care, or the wait times, in a Michigan hospital emergency room.

The coalition supports the following alternative solutions to address the nurse staffing shortages:

  1. Join the Nurse Licensure Compact: Bring Michigan into the national Nurse Licensure Compact to reduce barriers for out-of-state nurses to practice in Michigan immediately, joining 41 other jurisdictions across the country.
  2. Expand Michigan Reconnect Eligibility: Lower the age requirement to 18 and older, encouraging more individuals to pursue nursing careers.
  3. Funding Innovative Approaches to Workplace Violence Prevention in Healthcare Settings: This complements the passage of House Bills 4520 and 4521 that increase penalties for violence committed against healthcare workers and would make the nursing profession more attractive by addressing safety concerns.

To date, Michigan hospitals, health systems and other healthcare providers have focused on addressing staffing shortages by implementing various measures, including increased compensation, partnerships with post-secondary education institutions, emotional well-being support, modernizing scope of practice rules and recruitment awareness campaigns such as MI Hospital Careers.

The coalition includes the following organizations, and joins nursing organizations such as the American Nurses Association – Michigan and Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership in opposing legislatively mandated nurse staffing ratios:

  • Business Leaders for Michigan
  • Community Mental Health Association of Michigan
  • Detroit Regional Chamber
  • Grand Rapids Chamber
  • Health Care Association of Michigan
  • Michigan Ambulatory Surgery Association
  • Michigan Association of Ambulance Services
  • Michigan Association of Colleges of Nursing
  • Michigan Association of Health Plans
  • Michigan Chamber of Commerce
  • Michigan College of Emergency Physicians
  • Michigan County Medical Care Facilities Council
  • Michigan Health & Hospital Association
  • Michigan HomeCare & Hospice Association
  • Michigan Manufacturers Association
  • Michigan Osteopathic Association
  • Small Business Association of Michigan
  • Traverse Connect

To learn more about the impact of the proposed legislation on care in Michigan, visit www.mha.org/issues-advocacy/key-issues/nurse-staffing-ratios.

Headline Roundup: Nurse Staffing & Auto No-fault

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA EVP Laura Appel discusses auto no-fault legislation with the Michigan Business Network.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 16 regarding auto no-fault legislation passed in the Michigan Senate and nurse staffing ratio legislation.

The coverage is based on interviews conducted with MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Thursday, Oct. 19

Wednesday, Oct. 18

Monday, Oct. 16

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Auto No-Fault Legislation & Nurse Staffing

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network.
MHA CEO Brian Peters speaks with the Michigan Business Network.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 2 regarding auto no-fault legislation introduced in the Michigan Legislature and nurse staffing ratio legislation.

The coverage is based on interviews conducted with MHA CEO Brian Peters and MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state.

Friday, Oct. 6

Thursday, Oct. 5

Tuesday, Oct. 3

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.