MHA Podcast Explores Michigan Health Policy Priorities feat. Rep. Julie Rogers

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

State Representative Julie Rogers

On episode 30, State Representative Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Laura Appel, executive vice president of government relations and public policy at the MHA, discuss current health policy priorities impacting Michigan hospitals, patients and communities. The episode is available to steam on SpotifyYouTubeApple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

Rep. Rogers is serving her second term representing Michigan’s 41st House District, which includes portions of Kalamazoo, Portage and Comstock township. She’s a practicing physical therapist and a champion of public health, previously serving on the National Association of Counties Health Steering Committee for seven years and now as chair of House Committee on Health Policy. Rogers also serves as a member of many committees within the house and co-chairs the Biosciences Legislative Caucus.

Throughout the episode, Rogers and Appel cover the impact health policy has had on issues like Michigan’s Medicaid work requirements within the Healthy Michigan Plan, preventative health, auto no-fault, ongoing workforce shortages, and more.

“We have about 208,000 people who work in our hospitals,” notes Appel. “We need another 27,000 more…nearly 8,500 nurses. We’re short over 4,000 technicians – the people who help out in the pharmacy, lab technicians, patient care techs – we also need people who contribute to operations.”

Those interested in learning more about how to get involved in healthcare advocacy or how to engage with local lawmakers on issues such as nurse staffing, 340B, auto no-fault, etc. can visit the issues and advocacy webpage and/or the MHA Legislative Action Center. Those looking to pursue a career in healthcare are encouraged to visit the Hospital Careers website.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores How Michigan Leaders Can Collaborate to Address Gaps in Behavioral Health

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 29, State Representative Graham Filler and Dr. Julie Yaroch, D.O., president of ProMedica Charles and Virginia Hickman Hospital and Senior Vice President of Inpatient & Retail Pharmacy for ProMedica Health System kick off Mental Health Awareness Month discussing how lawmakers, healthcare leaders and the community can work together to address gaps in the state’s behavioral healthcare system.

The episode is available to stream on SpotifyYouTubeApple Podcasts and SoundCloud.

Additional state behavioral health resources can be found through the Mental Health Association of Michigan and the Children’s Hospital Association. As mentioned in the episode, the MHA issued a request for proposal for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the Michigan Legislature as part of the state fiscal year 2023 state budget with the goal to increase the number of beds available to care for pediatric psychiatric patients requiring inpatient hospitalization. Applications are due to the MHA by 11:59 p.m. on June 1.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Podcast Explores Working Inside Michigan’s Rural Hospitals

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On episode 25, Ross M. Ramsey, MD, president and CEO of Scheurer Health, gives listeners an inside look at working in one of Michigan’s rural hospitals as both a clinician and leader. Ramsey, who grew up in the region before attending medical school at Michigan State University, explains the care model and culture that sets rural hospitals like Scheurer apart from their urban counterparts.

The episode, currently available to stream on SpotifyYouTubeApple Podcasts and SoundCloud, also explores the vital role healthcare plays in rural communities and why those in the medical field might consider a career in the less populated areas of the state.

The MiCare Champion Cast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan.

Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

New Podcast Explores Social Determinants of Health with Wright Lassiter

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On this episode, Wright Lassiter, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health, discusses social determinants of health — what they are, why they matter, and how understanding them can help achieve better health outcomes. Lassiter also shares valuable insight about how to best support healthcare workers as they continue to face pandemic burnout and what drove the organization’s recent rebranding to Henry Ford Health, previously Henry Ford Health System.

As president and CEO, Lassiter oversees the $7 billion integrated health system comprised of six hospitals, a health plan and a wide range of ambulatory, retail and various health services across more than 250 locations in Michigan and 33,000 employees. Lassiter joined Henry Ford Health in 2014 as president and assumed the role of president and CEO in 2016.

This podcast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. It is currently available via Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 31, 2022

MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 updateCombating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Jan. 24

As the number of new cases and hospitalizations due to COVID-19 begin to diminish in Michigan, both Pfizer and Moderna have launched trials for vaccines targeting the omicron variant of the coronavirus. The variant is estimated to make up 99% of the current cases in the United States. …


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

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. …


Bills on ED Violence, COVID-19 Medication, Auto No-fault Discussed in State Legislature

The Michigan Legislature returned to Lansing the week of Jan. 24 to address several bills relevant to Michigan hospitals. In the House Government Operations Committee, testimony was taken on a pair of bills to expand penalties for assaulting …


MI care matters

Doctor/Breakthrough Speaker Recalls COVID-19 Hospitalization in MHA Podcast

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities …


Cybersecurity Member Forum Scheduled for March

Cyberattacks are a clear and present danger to patient care and safety. Questions regarding organizational alignment with the current cybersecurity environment cannot be answered solely by considering the electronic defense measures that are in place. Information technology experts can lead …


The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Uncertainty Agenda for Hospitals in 2022

“The plight of hospitals during the omicron pandemic is prominent in news coverage. Workforce shortages and bed capacity issues grab headlines, especially in regions where the omicron wave is surging.”

“Public health officials predict this wave will pass in the next 1-2 months while cautioning about future variant possibilities. This adds to unprecedented uncertainties facing hospitals.”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 25, 2022


MHA in the News

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Jan. 24 that focused on the status of COVID-19 and healthcare workforce sustainability.

Doctor/Breakthrough Speaker Recalls COVID-19 Hospitalization in MHA Podcast

MI care matters

The MHA released another episode of the MiCare Champion Cast, which features interviews with healthcare policy experts in Michigan on key issues that impact healthcare and the health of communities.

On this episode, Michael Leonard, MD, partner at Safe & Reliable Healthcare, shares his personal experience with falling severely ill to COVID-19 in 2020. Leonard, who spent a total of 59 days in the hospital, gives a close-up look at what it was like as a tenured physician who was in great health to become a critically ill COVID-19 patient at a time when information was limited and hospitals across the country were overwhelmed. He also addresses some of the common misconceptions that still exist around COVID-19 and the vaccines and how listeners can best support healthcare workers.

Leonard will serve as a keynote speaker at the MHA’s major membership meeting Breakthrough on Feb. 17 and 18. Attendees will examine the evolution of the pandemic and its impact, how MHA members and partners can address the workforce shortage and drive policy and funding on this critical issue, how to lead critical conversations about health equity and use structures already in place to build capacity for advancing equity, and more. A full agenda, registration and additional details can be found on the education and events page.

Safe & Reliable Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing guidance for providers to effectively assess and manage risk and minimize adverse events. Leonard has worked with healthcare organizations nationally and internationally to identify clear, effective and sustainable ways to enhance patient- and family-centered care, improve leadership, develop a culture of safety, work collaboratively, become highly reliable, and create an environment of continuous learning and improvement.

This podcast is part of the statewide #MiCareMatters campaign, launched in 2017, which aims to build a network of citizens — “MiCare Champions” — who will be called upon to engage in advocacy efforts to protect access to affordable healthcare services in Michigan. It is currently available via Spotify, iTunes and SoundCloud.

For more information, visit micarematters.org. Members with questions or who would like to submit ideas for future podcasts should contact Lucy Ciaramitaro at the MHA.