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MHA Monday Report Feb. 21, 2022

February 21, 2022March 3, 2022 Monday Report

Combating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Feb. 14

The current surge of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has continued its downward trend. The seven-day average of hospitalizations in the U.S. as of Feb. 13 was 80,185, down from 136,534 Jan. 20. Michigan hospitalizations for confirmed and suspected cases …

Supplemental Budget Signed, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation Passed

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Feb. 16 signed House Bill 5523, a $1.2 billion supplemental funding bill that focuses on keeping kids learning in-person and bolstering the state’s healthcare workforce. This legislation directs $300 million to …

MHA Virtual Member Forum to Review Strategic Action Plan Priorities

The MHA will host a virtual member forum from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 to outline the MHA 2021-2022 program year’s strategic action plan, which the MHA Board of Trustees approved in August. The forum will review the priorities set for the year, progress to date, and the tactics the …

Feb. 22 Webinar to Outline Housing Options for Those in Need

Throughout the pandemic, being nimble and recognizing that much in the social support sector is in flux has been crucial, as has being intentional about identifying key areas and needs, including housing. Housing interventions improve housing stability and health outcomes while decreasing healthcare …

Webinar Explores Changing Environment of Digital Marketing for Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly changing competitive environment are making the consumer digital experience a higher priority for healthcare marketers than ever before. With budgets rebounding and marketers accelerating efforts in personalization, healthcare marketers must invest in new …

WELL-B Program Registration Extended

Registration has been extended to March 29 for the Well-being Essentials for Learning Life-Balance webinar series. WELL-B is a behavioral health training program for the healthcare workforce that delivers weekly webinars on evidence-based well-being topics, including prevalence …

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 has launched an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder …

Workforce, Operational Challenges Addressed at MHASC Board, HR Committee Meetings

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities including behavioral health, workforce sustainability, data strategy, cybersecurity and diversifying MHASC products, services, and partnerships. To receive an update …

Online Workforce Solutions Available

The MHA and the Michigan Health Council announced two offerings as means for strengthening the nursing workforce. The Clinical Faculty Academy is designed to expand the pool of nurses involved in educating the next generation of nurses and to increase nursing school enrollments. …

Submit Proposals to Present at The Root Cause Coalition National Summit

The MHA is a member of The Root Cause Coalition, whose mission is to reverse and end the systemic root causes of health inequities for individuals and communities through cross-sector partnerships. The coalition has opened its request for proposals to present at the seventh National Summit on the …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Highlights Board Engagement

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, is now available and contains valuable information on board engagement. COVID-19 has tested boards’ abilities to lead in times of prolonged and daunting pressures, and time …

Media Recap: Appel Discusses Workforce Issues

Laura Appel, senior vice president, health policy & innovation, MHA, was quoted in stories the week of Feb. 14 discussing issues impacting the healthcare workforce. Hospitals across the country are concerned about anticompetitive activity and questionable pricing from …

The Keckley Report

The Healthcare Value Agenda 3.0: What to Expect in 2022 and Beyond

“The value agenda in U.S. healthcare is transitioning to version 3.0. While the aim of replacing fee-for-service incentives remains the same, the next version will be decidedly different.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 14, 2022

MHA Monday Report Feb. 14, 2022

February 14, 2022February 13, 2022 Monday Report

MHA Board Meeting Focused on Workforce, Other Healthcare Challenges

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the MHA Board of Trustees had robust conversations about key priorities for healthcare and the MHA. Among them were the MHA’s role as healthcare and public policy continue to evolve; workforce development and shortages (including $300 million appropriated by the Michigan …

Vital Healthcare Workforce Funding Passed by Michigan Legislature

The Michigan Legislature passed Feb. 9 House Bill 5523, a supplemental spending bill that includes $300 million for healthcare facilities for recruitment and retention of healthcare workers. While this funding will not solve the long-term …

Governor’s Budget Recommendation Supports Healthcare Workers, Protects Hospitals

The fiscal year 2023 executive budget recommendation was presented to the Legislature Feb. 9 by State Budget Director Chris Harkins. The governor’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year protects key hospital priorities and includes …

Michigan Legislature Addresses Multiple Healthcare Bills

The Michigan Legislature took up several bills impacting hospitals during the week Feb. 7. Some of the covered topics included legislation to expand the essential health provider loan repayment program, make changes to nonopioid directive forms, new regulation for pharmacy benefit managers …

Register by Feb. 14 for Virtual MHA Breakthrough

The MHA Breakthrough event will be held virtually from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17, and registration is encouraged by close of business Feb. 14. For many months, leaders have had limited opportunities to study challenges and learn from each …

Virtual Training Offered Feb. 15 for FY 2019 Medicaid DSH Audit

Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospitals audits, encourages hospital staff to participate in the upcoming virtual training at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 15. Hospital staff will also benefit from viewing …

Housing as Healthcare Webinar to Explore Population Health Improvement

Homelessness can take many forms, with people living on the streets, in encampments or shelters, or with family and friends. While the federal government reports 1.5 million people a year experience homelessness, other estimates find up to twice this number of people are without …

Responses to Cybersecurity Attacks, Mitigation Strategies Focus of Member Forum

The healthcare sector remains a target-rich environment for cyberattacks due to a large amount of sensitive data related to patient care and operations. The MHA will host a cybersecurity member forum from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 24 at the Henry Center for Executive Development. The forum is …

P SO Annual Meeting to Focus on Well-being and Workplace Violence

The MHA Keystone Center Patient Safety Organization (PSO) Annual Meeting brings together national safety and clinical experts each year to discuss hot topics in healthcare. It will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. March 9. …

Headline Roundup: Workforce Funding, Executive Budget and More

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Feb. 7 on topics including passage Feb. 9 of House Bill 5523 that provides $300 million in healthcare workforce funding, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s Feb. 10 executive state budget recommendation and COVID-19 hospitalizations. …

The Keckley Report

Two Events this Week Will Shape U.S. Healthcare for 2022

“On the foreign policy front, the potential Russian invasion of the Ukraine has forced talks this week among heads of state …

“And on the domestic front, the Consumer Price Index for January will be released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and all eyes will be on the inflation rate …

“The U.S. health system is directly impacted by both sets of events though the immediate impact might not be readily obvious.”

Paul Keckley, Feb. 7, 2022

News to Know

Nominations for the 2022 Ludwig Community Benefit Award are due Feb. 18.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 7, 2022

February 7, 2022April 24, 2023 Monday Report

Combating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Jan. 31

The number of hospitalizations in Michigan due to confirmed and suspected cases of COVID-19 was the lowest since early November during the week of Jan. 31. However, with 2,882 adults and 70 children hospitalized Feb. 4 with confirmed and suspected COVID-19, some facilities in the state continue to be …

Medicare to Cover Over-the-counter COVID-19 Tests for Beneficiaries

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is developing an initiative that will provide free access to eight over-the-counter COVID-19 tests per month for Medicare beneficiaries. The initiative will apply to individuals enrolled in both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. The new initiative …

MHA Breakthrough Converting to Virtual Format

The MHA had hoped for an in-person Breakthrough event Feb. 17 and 18 but, based on the current environment, the event will be offered in a virtual format from 1 to 3 p.m. Feb. 17 on the Zoom platform. …

Webinar to Outline Housing Options to Improve Population Health

Access to affordable, safe, stable housing is well documented as a strong factor in health. The critical shortage of affordable housing directly affects communities and patients, contributing to repeat emergency room visits and hospital admissions. These patients also tend to have limited resources for …

Ludwig Community Benefit Award Nominations Due Feb. 18

The 2021 winners of the MHA’s Ludwig Community Benefit Award showcase the wide range of programs Michigan hospitals provide to benefit those in their local areas and beyond. The award is presented annually to recognize MHA-member healthcare organizations that demonstrate …

MHA CEO Report — The Time is Now for Health Equity

MHA CEO Brian Peters reviews efforts to eliminate unconscious bias and to address the social determinants of health.

Webinar to Cover Changes in Digital Marketing for Healthcare

The Keckley Report

The Resilience of the Health System: Not Enough

“The healthcare industry is resilient—’the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.’ It responds well to immediate problems like the pandemic and health emergencies. It enjoys well-deserved accolades for its selfless workforce and acts of heroism. But long-term solutions to the widely recognized systemic flaws in our system escape its attention …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 31, 2022

News to Know

Due to weather-related cancellations, the Michigan Legislature did not meet Feb. 2 and 3 and no action was taken on healthcare-related bills.
Myers and Stauffer LC, Michigan’s contractor for the federally mandated Medicaid disproportionate share hospital audits, will host an educational webinar at 10:30 a.m. EST Feb. 15 to assist members with the upcoming 2019 Medicaid DSH audits.
As part of a series from the MHA Endorsed Business Partner program, the webinar Manufacturer Mandates and Claims Capture will be hosted with SUNRx from 2 to 3 p.m. EST Feb. 15.

MHA in the News

The MHA responded to several media requests the week of Jan. 31 that focused on the history of hospital mergers and acquisitions in Michigan and the current outlook for hospitals regarding COVID-19.