Tag: state budget

MHA Monday Report July 13, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

Michigan Legislature Advances Several Healthcare Bills During State Budget Negotiations

The Michigan Legislature passed more than 65 policy bills, including several healthcare-focused measures, as part of the state budget negotiations during the week of June 30. Several healthcare bills advanced from the Legislature to the …

MHA Center of Rural Excellence Board Convenes Inaugural Meeting

The MHA Center of Rural Excellence held its first Board of Directors meeting June 24 during the 2026 MHA Annual Membership Meeting. The board conducted organizational business focused on governance, rural health initiatives and strategic …

Refreshed MHA Website Launches July 14

The MHA will launch a refreshed MHA website July 14, featuring improved navigation, enhanced functionality and a more intuitive user experience designed to improve access to advocacy topics, news, events and resources. Developed based on …

CMS Releases Medicare Proposed Rules for CY 2027

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released proposed rules updating Medicare payment systems and quality reporting requirements for calendar year (CY) 2027.

Excellence in Governance Fellowship Celebrates 2025-26 Graduates

Members of the 2025-26 MHA Excellence in Governance Fellowship class graduated June 24. Thirteen fellows completed the nine-month program focused on enhancing board member knowledge, skills and value. …

MDHHS Updates Immunization Documentation Process

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently changed the process for documenting immunizations and the forms that should be used. Effective immediately, providers should discontinue use of the previous Michigan-specific Vaccine Information …

HHS and CMS Launch Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CMS launched the voluntary Make Hospital Food Healthier Pledge, encouraging hospitals to offer more nutritious, minimally processed meals …

Register for the Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council 2026 Summit

The Michigan Mental Health Diversion Council and the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice are hosting “A Decade of Progress: Advancing Diversion and Crisis Response in Michigan Counties” on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. …

Hospitals Help: Grand Traverse Mental Health Crisis and Access Center Advances Behavioral Healthcare in Northern Michigan

Michigan hospitals are working alongside community partners to remove barriers and ensure residents across the state have access to timely, lifesaving behavioral healthcare services. Located on the Munson Medical Center campus, the Grand Traverse Mental …

Michigan Leaders Discuss Key Healthcare Issues at Mackinac Policy Conference

Healthcare, business and state leaders joined Rich Helppie, host of The Common Bridge Podcast, May 27 at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss key healthcare issues impacting Michigan hospitals and the communities they serve. …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Affordability Starts with Quality Improvement

Every day, hospitals are working to make care safer, improve outcomes and strengthen the patient experience. Michigan hospitals’ commitment to quality improvement saves lives first and foremost, but it also helps reduce costs by preventing complications, avoiding unnecessary readmissions …

Michigan Hospitals, Always caring, always advancing.

The Keckley Report

The 6 Issues the new AHA CEO Must Address

“Incoming American Hospital Association CEO Steve Walsh inherits the powerful trade group’s future at a pivotal time for hospitals. …

In AHA’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan, it vows ‘To advance the health of all individuals and communities. The AHA leads, represents and serves hospitals, health systems and other related organizations that are accountable to communities and committed to equitable care and health improvement for all.’

The task ahead for Walsh and the AHA Board is to refresh its strategy addressing the six issues above with fresh ideas, new solutions, new partners and a vision of the future that’s not constrained by its past.”

Paul Keckley, July 5, 2026

News to Know

  • The MHA Monday Report will continue on a biweekly publication schedule in July, with the next issue publishing July 27. Member alerts and MHA Newsroom articles will continue to be published as needed to keep members informed of important news and advocacy updates.
  • The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is recruiting acute care hospital intensive care units for a free, nine-month program focused on improving evidence-based practices to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia and ventilator-associated events.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner SmarterDx is hosting the Becker’s Healthcare webinar, Inside OHSU’s Prebill AI Solution: What Changed for Revenue, Quality and the CDI Teams, July 29 from noon to 1 p.m. ET.

MHA in the News

MHA Chief Nursing Officer Amy Brown joined CBS Detroit to discuss new federal student loan borrowing limits that took effect July 1, warning how they could create additional barriers for nurses pursuing advanced degrees to …

 

Michigan Legislature Advances Several Healthcare Bills During State Budget Negotiations

Member News

The Michigan Legislature passed more than 65 policy bills, including several healthcare-focused measures, as part of the state budget negotiations during the week of June 30.

Several healthcare bills advanced from the Legislature to the governor’s desk during fiscal year 2026-27 budget negotiations. None of the healthcare-related bills that advanced to the governor’s desk were actively opposed by the MHA.

Other bills monitored by the MHA that were passed, include:

  • HB 4101, sponsored by Rep. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), creates a physical therapist (PT) licensure compact in the state.
  • HB 4103, sponsored by Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), creates an occupational therapist licensure compact in the state.
  • House Bill (HB) 4309, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), establishes a physician assistant licensure compact in the state.
  • HBs 4805 and 4808, sponsored by Rep. Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford), make changes to the Children’s Trust Fund in Michigan. HB 4805 increases the annual disbursement cap to 8% for expenditures under the Children’s Trust Fund. HB 4808 amends the Open Meetings Act to allow the Board to meet electronically under any circumstances, including those requiring accommodation for absent members.
  • SB 301, sponsored by Sen. Joe Bellino (R-Monroe), provides tax credits to eligible employers whose employees take time off to serve as living organ donors.
  • SB 415, sponsored by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-Groveland Township), requires Medicaid coverage for group prenatal care services.
  • Senate Bill (SB) 501, sponsored by Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), authorizes and establishes a $90 license fee for a physical therapist seeking to practice under the PT compact.

Other bills the MHA monitored were passed, including:

  • HB 4779, sponsored by Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet), requires health facilities and agencies to develop and implement surgical smoke evacuation policies and systems during procedures likely to generate a surgical smoke plume, beginning one year after the bill takes effect.
  • HB 5249, sponsored by Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River), establishes a new type of ambulance operation license called an “ambulance operation adaptive care license.” The license would allow certain basic life support ambulance services to provide limited advanced life support when equipped with appropriate staff and resources to safely provide that higher level of care.
  • SB 716, sponsored by Sen. Paul Wojno (D-Warren), reduces the time that the Board of Pharmacy must determine a controlled substance’s schedule after a federal designation, rescheduling, or deletion from 91 days to 60 days.

In addition to these healthcare bills advancing to the governor’s desk, there was no legislative action on the Hospital Cost Review Board or Healthcare Consolidation Prevention Act proposals during the week. Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

Completed State Budget Highlights Healthcare Champions

News Releases

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

The passage of Michigan’s state budget highlights the healthcare champions in our state who protected important healthcare funding that maintains access to care for Michiganders and supports our healthcare workers, including our local nurses, doctors, support techs and service workers. Champions like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony and House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri are why Michigan hospitals can always care for their communities and advance our state forward.

We thank those state lawmakers who recognized the need to support the Healthy Michigan Plan and Michigan’s Medicaid health plans, obstetrical services, care at rural and critical access hospitals and more in this year’s budget.

Michiganders count on our hospitals to be there during our time of need, whether that be in the middle of the night or on a holiday, and on our state lawmakers to maintain access to healthcare. This state budget allows hospitals to continue to care for everyone who walks through their doors, at all hours of the day, every day of the year.

State House Minority Leader Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

Member News
Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) during the MHA Legislative Policy Panel at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center.

State House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) addressed the MHA Legislative Policy Panel May 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center, providing the panel with a legislative and political update and sharing his commitment to protecting access to care for Michiganders. During the meeting, the panel developed recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives affecting Michigan hospitals.

MHA Capitol Advocacy Center staff provided updates on healthcare activity at the federal and state levels. Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA, shared additional details on the state budget, including timelines and current proposals.

Taylor Alpert, director, government relations, MHA, presented Senate Bill (SB) 910, which would establish a commission to review the cost of legislatively mandated healthcare coverage.

Elizabeth Kutter, vice president and deputy general counsel, MHA, provided presentations on federal legislation related to 340B rebate program exemptions and SB 914, which could require insurers to recognize patient prescription drug payments toward deductibles and annual out-of-pocket maximums.

The panel also received an update on Certificate of Need legislation.

The panel recommended that the MHA support legislation establishing a process to review government mandates on health insurers and providers.

For more information on the MHA Legislative Policy Panel, contact Adam Carlson at the MHA.

State Legislative Weekly Recap: Executive Budget Recommendations, Nurse Mandatory Overtime Testimony

Member News

The House and Senate Appropriations Committee held a joint hearing for Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation for fiscal year (FY) 2027, and the Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony on nurse mandatory overtime legislation during the week of Feb. 9.

State Budget Director Jen Flood presented Feb. 11 Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation, which includes full funding for Medicaid and hospitals. The recommendation totals $88.1 billion, including $13.6 billion from the state general fund. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget accounts for $41 billion of total state spending.

The budget responds to federal changes following the passage of H.R. 1 last year. The proposal recommends hiring 589 new full-time employees to implement Medicaid work requirements. The state estimates 200,000 Michiganders could lose Medicaid coverage in FY 27 due to work requirements and redeterminations.

The proposal also calls for $804.4 million in new revenue from taxes and assessments that would be deposited into the Medicaid Benefits Trust Fund for Medicaid programs and services, including:

  • $327 million from new taxes on tobacco and vape products.
  • $282 million from a new digital advertising tax.
  • $195.4 million from online gambling and casino taxes.

Outside of healthcare, the budget calls for new investments in programs such as third grade reading and property tax credits for seniors.

MHA CEO Brian Peters released a media statement that reiterates the importance of the governor and legislative leaders passing a budget that protects Medicaid and hospitals. The association will work closely with legislative leadership moving forward to ensure MHA priorities are fully funded.

The Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bills 296 and 297, sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), which would prohibit mandatory hospital overtime in certain circumstances. The bills would establish arbitrary one-size-fits-all staffing requirements that may limit patient-focused clinical decision-making, and individual team-based approaches should be prioritized. The MHA does not support legislation that curtails hospital leaders’ decision-making authority and instead supports empowering local healthcare professionals to make decisions that best serve patients and reflect clinical expertise. The MHA will continue to monitor the legislation and work with lawmakers and healthcare stakeholders to ensure that care teams have the tools they need and that Michiganders maintain access to timely, high-quality care.

Members with questions may contact the MHA advocacy team.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 13, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Healthcare Funding Protected in New State Budget Signed by Gov. Whitmer

The Michigan Legislature’s newly passed state budget, which protects all existing healthcare funding, was signed into law Oct. 7 by Gov. Whitmer. Public Act 22 of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed by both …

Community Benefit Collaborative Members Gather for Kickoff Event

The MHA brought together the Community Benefit Collaborative members for a daylong kickoff event on Oct. 2 to network and learn from peers across the state conducting community benefit work in chronic disease, behavioral health …

CDC Updates Guidance for COVID-19 and Chickenpox Vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently updated its guidance for the COVID-19 and varicella (chickenpox) vaccines. The CDC’s decision uses an individual-based decision-making framework, referring to vaccination decisions made through shared clinical …

Strengthening Rural Healthcare Through Smarter Physician Recruitment

MHA Endorsed Business Partner AMN Healthcare recently released the Rural Physician Recruiting Challenges and Solutions white paper, produced by its Physician Solutions division (formerly Merritt Hawkins). The resource identifies several approaches to address these challenges: Recruiting physicians …

Investing in Rural Hospitals Means Investing in Rural Michigan

When the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law in July, it created the Rural Health Transformation Program, a five-year, $50 billion investment in rural healthcare. The MHA Board of Trustees took swift action empowering an MHA board-appointed task force charged with creating …

Keckley Report

Shutdown Impact: The Affordable Care Act 2.0 Takes Center Stage

“In 2009, I facilitated discussions with key health industry trade associations and the White House Office of Health Reform focused on reforms to reduce costs, increase insurance coverage and improve quality by 2019. It was the Obama administration’s aim to use the health system’s bulk as a lever to stimulate recovery from the 2008-2009 recession and simultaneously increase coverage through Medicaid expansion and marketplace subsidies that for lower-income households. …

The current federal government shutdown is a tipping point for healthcare in the U.S. It’s about more than extended subsidies per Dem’s and holding the line on spending per Republicans. It’s about a growing sense of helplessness among the majority and resentment among many that institutions like the federal government, higher education, big business and healthcare are no longer motivated to serve interests beyond themselves. …

Some will harken back to the Affordable Care Act in 2010 when coverage was also the issue. We’re there again. But the bigger issue is this: extending subsidies and maintaining coverage will not lower spending or transform U.S. healthcare to an affordable, accessible, appropriately structured system of health.

The moral high ground for healthcare is in jeopardy and its direction unclear. Perhaps PPACA 2.0 is an answer. Doing nothing isn’t.”

Paul Keckley, Oct. 5, 2025

Healthcare Funding Protected in New State Budget Signed by Gov. Whitmer

Member News

The Michigan Legislature’s newly passed state budget, which protects all existing healthcare funding, was signed into law Oct. 7 by Gov. Whitmer.

Public Act 22 of 2025, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), includes the following:

  • Full funding for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.
    • Complete recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or red tape.
  • Restoration of Specialty Network Access Fee (SNAF) funding.
  • Continued support for the rural and obstetric (OB) stabilization pools.
  • Preserved funding to support Maternal Levels of Care verification.
  • Restoration of funding for the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) program.

This funding reinforces support for Michigan hospitals, healthcare workers and patients. Full funding for Medicaid means maintained access to healthcare for all patients across communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Furthermore, SNAF supports physician reimbursements for those providing care in vulnerable communities, while rural and OB stabilization pools ensure funding for rural areas and for labor and delivery services. Lastly, Maternal Levels of Care and MC3 funding were both sustained, safeguarding hospitals’ ability to collaborate among facilities and providers to guarantee women receive risk-appropriate maternal care as well as provide access to important pediatric behavioral health services in Michigan.

The MHA worked diligently with legislators over the last several weeks on the budget and applauds the efforts of Gov. Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Speaker of the House Matt Hall to pass a bipartisan budget that preserves healthcare funding for hospitals, providers and patients.

MHA CEO Brian Peters is quoted in the press release published by Gov. Whitmer following the signing. Members may refer to the MHA-supported budget corrections summary for more details.

Members with questions about the state budget should contact the MHA Advocacy team.

MHA Monday Report Oct. 6, 2025

Member News, Monday Report

Michigan Legislature Passes State Budget, Preserves Healthcare Funding

The Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed a state budget protecting all existing healthcare funding on Oct. 3. House Bill 4706, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed by both chambers, includes …

CMS Shares Updates for Medicare Operations During Federal Shutdown

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently directed Medicare Administrative Contractors to hold Medicare fee-for-service claims for ten business days due to the expiration of several Medicare payment provisions and the Oct. …

Hospital Communicators Gather at MHA Communications Retreat

The 2025 MHA Communications Retreat brought together about 100 communications, marketing and public relations professionals from MHA-member facilities Oct. 1 to network and learn from peers across the state. The agenda featured sessions on reputation management …

CE Credits Available for Maternal Health Quality Improvement Modules

Continuing education (CE) credits are now available for obstetric teams that complete the Michigan Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health (MI AIM) virtual modules. The approximately three-hour series consists of the following modules: MI AIM …

MDHHS Introduces New Provider Updates Under Michigan’s Mental Health Framework

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recently introduced new requirements under the state’s Mental Health Framework to strengthen assessments, referrals and care coordination for Medicaid enrollees. These changes take effect beginning October …

MHA Rounds image of Brian PetersMHA CEO Report — Launching Collaboratives to Improve Community Health

In the healthcare community, we know that a person’s health is shaped outside the four walls of a hospital and our support must expand beyond acute care. The MHA recently launched community benefit collaboratives with …

Keckley Report

Who Owns the Public’s Health?

“September 2025 marks a significant shift in U.S. health policy, especially its approach to the public’s health. …

Public health is a vital part of the U.S. health system but a stepchild to its major players. In reality, the U.S. operates a dual system: one that serves those with insurance (public and private) and another for those without. Public health programs like SNAP, HeadStart, Federally Qualified Health Centers et. al., serve lower income and under-insured populations and integrate with local delivery systems emergency services and during mass-events like pandemics, mass-casualties and disease outbreaks. Funding for public health programs is 2-5% of total health spending shared between local, state and federal governments.

Studies show food, housing and income insecurity—areas targeted by public health– correlate to chronic disease prevalence and health costs. Unlike most developed systems of the world which operate at a lower cost and produce better population-health outcomes, our system perpetuates a structural divide between healthcare and public health. Integrating the two is a necessary strategy for system transformation, but a difficult task given entrenched animosity toward “the system” held by public health leaders and funding pressures.  The bridge between public health and the healthcare delivery systems is a two-lane road with lots of potholes at the federal level, and sometimes better in local communities. But funding seems to be an afterthought unless local communities deem it vital.”

Paul Keckley, Sept. 28, 2025

New to Know

News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) SunRx is hosting a 340B Regulatory Brief webinar Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. EDT with Bharath Krishnamurthy, health policy & analytics, American Hospital Association.
  • The American Hospital Association (AHA) is accepting applications for the AHA’s 2026 Dick Davidson NOVA Award.

 

Michigan Legislature Passes State Budget, Preserves Healthcare Funding

Member News

The Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed a state budget protecting all existing healthcare funding on Oct. 3.

House Bill (HB) 4706, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), passed by both chambers, includes the following:

  • Full funding for Medicaid and the Healthy Michigan Plan.
    • Complete recognition of hospital provider taxes and the ability to access those funds without additional legislative action or red tape.
  • Restoration of Specialty Network Access Fee (SNAF) funding.
  • Continued support for the rural and OB stabilization pools.
  • Preserved funding to support Maternal Levels of Care verification.
  • Restoration of funding for the Michigan Clinical Consultation and Care (MC3) program.

This funding reinforces support for Michigan hospitals, healthcare workers and patients. Full funding for Medicaid means maintained access to healthcare for all patients across communities, especially in rural and underserved areas. Furthermore, SNAF supports physician reimbursements for those providing care in vulnerable communities, while rural and OB stabilization pools ensure funding for rural areas and for labor and delivery services. Lastly, Maternal Levels of Care and MC3 funding were both sustained, safeguarding hospitals’ ability to collaborate among facilities and providers to guarantee women receive risk-appropriate maternal care as well as provide access to important pediatric behavioral health services in Michigan.

The MHA worked diligently with state lawmakers over the last several weeks to ensure this state budget protected hospitals, providers and patients, which led to the MHA’s full support of the finalized version of HB 4706. Following its passage, HB 4706 will now be sent to the Governor’s desk for her signature and its enactment into law.

The MHA published a media statement celebrating the budget, which was picked up by Gongwer and Michigan Advance.

Members with questions about the state budget should contact the MHA Advocacy Team.

Bipartisan State Budget Protects Healthcare

News Releases, Issues in Healthcare, Top Issues - Healthcare

The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

Michigan’s elected officials demonstrated today a strong, bipartisan commitment to protecting healthcare funding in the state budget. We thank all of those who worked together when it mattered most, especially Gov. Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Brinks and Speaker of the House Hall for their leadership in agreeing to a budget that will continue to advance the health of individuals and communities throughout the state. Hospitals, healthcare workers and patients have secure state funding for another year, maintaining access to care and protecting important service lines.