MHA Monday Report April 11, 2022

MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 update

Combating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of April 4

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported there were an average of 752 new confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases per day from April 2 through April 6. As of April 6, 453 adults and 17 children were hospitalized with confirmed and suspected cases; 96 adults were in intensive care units, 39 of them …


capitol building

Prior Authorization Bill Signed into Law

Legislation to decrease wait times for commercial insurance prior authorization requests was signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer April 7. Senate Bill 247, introduced by Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), will shorten the timeline for approval to seven calendar days or 72 hours for urgent requests, as well as ensure that …


Medicaid Proposed Policy to Allow Back Transfers for NICU Infants

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recently released a proposed policy, effective July 1, 2022, allowing authorization for return transfers of stabilized infants from a neonatal intensive care unit back to the community hospital from which the patient was …


Proposed Rule to Update Inpatient Rehabilitation Facilities Payment for FY 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment system for inpatient rehabilitation facilities for fiscal year 2023, which begins Oct. 1, 2022. Key highlights of the proposal include …


CMS Releases FY 2023 Proposed Rule for Inpatient Psychiatric Facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment system for inpatient psychiatric facilities for fiscal year 2023, which begins Oct. 1, 2022. Key highlights of the proposal include …


Webinar Focused on Governance and Leadership Accountability

Where is the line between governance and management? The truth is each board must set its own boundaries on governance versus management decisions, and boards must continuously revisit this line. The webinar You and Your Board: Creating a Synergistic Combination, offered from noon to 1 p.m. April 27 …


MHA Hosts Twitter Chat on Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

The MHA hosted a one-hour Twitter chat March 4 to discuss Emergency Department (ED) Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD). The chat allowed participants to engage with their peers and share information and resources related to ED MOUD, as many of these programs help address …


Explore Resources During Workplace Violence Awareness Month

Healthcare workers across the country are experiencing a growing rate of incidents of violence against front-line caregivers, including workers in Michigan. In fact, healthcare workers are nearly four times more likely to experience violence than individuals in other industries, according to the …


Paul KeckleyThe Keckley Report

Medicare Trustees’ NHE Report: Interesting Read but Understandably Flawed

“Last Monday, Medicare Trustees released the 56th edition of their National Health Expenditures (NHE) Forecast for 2021-2030 which is widely used by policymakers and operators to gauge what’s ahead for U.S. healthcare. Regrettably, it’s flawed.”

Paul Keckley, April 4, 2022


News to Know

The Circle of Life Awards recognize innovative palliative or end-of-life care providers that measure and evaluate the impact of their work on patients, family and/or the community. Part 1 applications for the 2023 awards will be accepted through May 31.

Twitter Chat to Discuss Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder

To help raise awareness around Emergency Department (ED) Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD), the MHA will host a Twitter chat from noon to 1 p.m. April 4. During the event, the MHA will post questions from @MIHospitalAssoc, with commentary from the MHA Keystone Center, the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan (CFSEM) and other members of the Michigan Opioid Partnership. MHA-member hospitals and community organizations are encouraged to share their current initiatives and success stories using the hashtags #MHAHealthChat, #MOUD, and #MAT.

The event follows an announcement of an ED MOUD initiative and funding opportunity for Michigan hospitals launched by the CFSEM in partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The initiative aims to increase access to evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder and support the transition to long-term, office-based treatment upon discharge. Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis until April 22. For the most current information, application instructions and grant guidelines, visit the CFSEM website, or contact the MHA Keystone Center to learn more.

Those with Twitter accounts are encouraged to participate in the chat to maximize the spread of information around ED MOUD, as many of these programs help address stigma and increase access to effective treatment for opioid use disorder. Those interested can confirm participation in the chat by contacting Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

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 (CFSEM) has launched an Emergency Department (ED) Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative and funding opportunity for Michigan hospitals. The initiative aims to increase access to evidence-based medication for opioid use disorder and support the transition to long-term, office-based treatment upon discharge. More information about the initiative is available in an online video.

Applications are now being accepted on a rolling basis until April 22. Grant funds are limited and are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

All Michigan hospitals are now eligible to apply, regardless of the number of patients treated annually for opioid-related overdoses. If two or more hospitals from the same system are interested in applying, they are encouraged to contact the CFSEM to discuss the possibility of applying as a system. Eligibility for grant funding is outlined as follows:

  • Hospitals with more than 100 encounters annually are eligible for technical assistance and up to $150,000.
  • Hospitals with less than 100 encounters annually are eligible for technical assistance and up to $75,000.

For the most current information, application instructions and grant guidelines, visit the CFSEM website. Members may contact the MHA Keystone Center with questions and email CFSEM to learn more or to request a meeting to discuss this opportunity.

MHA Monday Report Dec. 13, 2021

MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 update

Combating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Dec. 6

As MHA CEO Brian Peters outlines in his December CEO Report, the situation confronting Michigan hospitals is dire, with hospitalizations due to COVID-19 exceeding record highs and intensive care units full of patients — most of whom are unvaccinated. The MHA joins healthcare experts around the country in urging the public to get one of the available …


Tell Legislature to Pass Supplemental Budget for COVID-19 Funding

The Michigan House Appropriations Committee adopted an H-3 substitute for House Bill 5523 Dec. 8. The COVID-19 supplemental funding bill would allocate $1.2 billion in federal funds, including $300 million for recruitment and retention bonuses for healthcare settings. The appropriation is in …


MHA and Members Testify in Support of Licensure Exemption Bill

The House Health Policy Committee, chaired by Rep. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian), reported the MHA-supported Senate Bill 759 to the full House Dec. 9. Before the bill was reported, Adam Carlson, senior vice president of advocacy, MHA, and Sean Gehle, regional vice president, advocacy and …


capitol building

The Michigan House of Representatives acted on several bills related to healthcare during the week of Dec. 6. The House Education Committee supported legislation to allow community colleges to offer four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees. The House Health Policy Committee approved …


MHA Rounds Report - Brian Peters, MHA CEOMHA CEO Report — Staying Resilient Through the Ongoing Pandemic

MHA CEO Brian Peters discusses the ongoing COVID-19 surge in Michigan and solutions to address workforce sustainability.


Grants Available to Fund ED Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, 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 Initiative and …


MHA SVP Adam Carlson speaks with WNEM TV5

Headline Roundup: Week of Dec. 6 for COVID-19 in Michigan

The MHA has been actively fielding and responding to media requests related to the surge of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, as well as two pieces of legislation that would address the staffing crisis.


The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Value Agenda for Physicians in 2022

“This week, more than 800 will assemble in San Diego for America’s Physician Group’s (APG) 2021 Annual Conference. The group’s 335 member organizations seek to replace ‘the antiquated, dysfunctional fee-for-service reimbursement system with a clinically integrated, value-based healthcare system where physician groups are accountable for the coordination, cost, and quality of patient care.’”

Paul Keckley, Dec. 6, 2021


News to Know

  • The MHA welcomes AbilitiCBT by LifeWorks as a new Endorsed Business Partner that can help healthcare organizations support and enhance the mental health of their employees — which is especially critical now, with employee burnout and turnover reaching record heights.
  • MiPLUS, the Bureau of Professional Licensing licensing platform, sends an electronic copy of a provider license via email as soon as it is issued or renewed. Paper copies of licenses will no longer be automatically mailed upon issuance or renewal beginning Jan. 1.
  • The MHA recently submitted comments to the United States departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury and the Office of Personnel Management regarding the No Surprises Act Part 2.

House Health Policy Committee Advances MHA-supported Bills

capitol building

Michigan Capitol BuildingThe House Health Policy Committee met Nov. 4 to take up several bills that the MHA has indicated support for.

The committee advanced a bill to allow Michigan pharmacies to fill noncontrolled substance prescriptions written by out-of-state advance practice prescribers, which was introduced by Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington) as Senate Bill (SB) 166. House Bill (HB) 5261, introduced by Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn) and supported by the MHA, was also reported to the House floor. HB 5261 would create specific exemptions for providers to administer opioids to a patient who has an active non-opioid directive form if they are provided during a surgical operation or if the provider deems the opioids medically necessary.

The House Health Policy Committee also took initial testimony on a pair of bills to allow Michigan to join the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). This compact is a legal agreement among states that creates an expedited pathway to licensure for psychologists who wish to practice telepsychiatry across state lines. HBs 5488 and 5489 were introduced by Reps. Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian) and Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township), respectively, and are supported by the MHA. The association will continue to keep members apprised of any action taken on this legislation.

Any members with questions can reach out to Adam Carlson at the MHA.