Media Recap: Food Insecurity & Rural Healthcare Solutions

Brian Peters

Brian PetersThe MHA received media coverage the week of Jan. 23 regarding the issue of food insecurity, rural healthcare solutions and hospital viability.

The MHA contributed a combined total of $45,000 toward the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering during the campaign’s luncheon Jan. 25 to help address food insecurity in the state. The Michigan Business Network published the press release issued by the MHA while MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Food First, a weekly WJR radio show presented by the Food Bank Council of Michigan and Farm Bureau Insurance. Peters discussed the MHA’s title sponsorship of the 2022 Michigan Harvest Gathering with co-hosts Dr. Phil Knight and Gerry Brisson, as well as the role food insecurity plays as a social determinant of health.

Peters and several MHA members also appeared in a Becker’s Hospital Review story published Jan. 25 sharing ideas on how to save rural healthcare.

“I am a big believer in technology as a game-changer for the future of healthcare delivery,” said Peters. “In particular, it can serve as a force multiplier in the realm of healthcare staffing. When combined with the significant traction gained by telehealth since the start of the pandemic, this means that technology — if thoughtfully deployed — can help to stabilize the rural health infrastructure. One imperative: we need regulatory and reimbursement policies that incentivize and support this concept.

In addition, Peters joined the Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show Jan. 26 as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address.

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

Peters Talks Healthcare with Paul W. Smith on WJR’s Live from Lansing Broadcast

MHA CEO Brian Peters was featured on WJR’s “Live from Lansing” Jan. 27 broadcast, hosted by Paul W. Smith.

Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio broadcast Jan. 27 the Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show as part of its annual coverage of legislative and policy issues facing the state the morning after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address. The MHA sponsored the program, which was broadcast remotely but livestreamed on WJR’s Facebook and YouTube accounts.

As part of the program lineup, Smith spoke with MHA CEO Brian Peters about a host of topics, ranging from healthcare workforce sustainability to the omicron COVID-19 surge and increased rates of violence against healthcare workers. Other notable interviewees during the event included Whitmer; Dr. Kevin Ward, a professor of emergency medicine and biomedical engineering at Michigan Medicine and executive director of the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation; and Sen. Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake).

The State of the State address the previous evening primarily focused on economic development, infrastructure and lowering costs for Michigan residents. One specific healthcare item mentioned by Whitmer was mental health, including a plan to improve access by expanding the Michigan State Loan Repayment Program to focus on behavioral health providers and a funding increase for mental health professionals in schools. The administration believes this expansion will help retain or recruit hundreds of mental healthcare providers to Michigan.

As a sponsor of the event, the MHA developed a 60-second message for airing before and during the broadcast. For more information, contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: Week of Nov. 15 for COVID-19 in Michigan

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The MHA has been actively fielding and responding to media requests related to the growth in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, hospital capacity and healthcare workforce sustainability.

Below is a collection of headlines from around the state that include statements from the MHA.

Sunday, Nov. 21

Thursday, Nov. 18

Wednesday, Nov. 17

Tuesday, Nov. 16

Monday, Nov. 15

Members with questions on COVID-19 efforts and resources should contact Ruthanne Sudderth, and any questions regarding media requests should be directed to John Karasinski at the MHA.