The MHA hosted a successful Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Sept. 13, with more than 130 hospital and nursing leaders participating. Attendees completed 118 meetings with lawmakers, covering 80% of the Michigan Legislature. The relationships and conversations will prove extremely helpful in opposing legislation that would mandate one-size-fits-all nurse-to-patient staffing ratios for all hospitals in the state.
The MHA also hosted press conference and published a press release in conjunction with the advocacy day, releasing new data that illustrates strong public opposition to legislation proposing such a legislative mandate and hospital survey data on the severe impact of the legislation on access to care for Michiganders. The press event resulted in a number of news stories being published throughout the state from outlets including Becker’s Hospital Review, Detroit Free Press, Gongwer, MIRS, Michigan’s Big Show, WILX, WWMT, WJR 760 and WILS 1320.
An infographic that shares the new data and contextualizes the impact to healthcare access for Michiganders was also shared with lawmakers and media. Additional member communications tools are available upon request. Photos from the event can be found on the MHA Facebook page.
The MHA will continue to push back on this one-size-fits-all mandate and educate lawmakers on the harmful impact it could have on patient access to healthcare.
Members with any questions related to the legislation and advocacy efforts may contact Adam Carlson or Elizabeth Kutter at the MHA. Members with questions regarding media or requesting additional communications tools should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.