Peters Featured on Paul W. Smith Live from Lansing Broadcast

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio’s Paul W. Smith “Live from Lansing” show.

MHA CEO Brian Peters appeared on Detroit’s WJR News Talk Radio’s 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. The MHA sponsored the program, with the broadcast hosted at downtown Lansing’s Courtyard by Marriott.

As part of the program lineup, Smith spoke with Peters about the state of hospitals and the many challenges they face, including workforce sustainability, behavioral health and financial viability. Other notable interviewees during the event included Whitmer; Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton), Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) and Wayne County Executive Warren Evans.

The State of the State address the previous evening primarily focused on lowering costs for Michigan residents, economic development, expanding education opportunities and public safety and gun violence prevention. One specific item mentioned by Whitmer relevant to hospitals is the intention to reduce the age to qualify for Michigan Reconnect from 25 years old to 21. Doing so would increase the number of individuals eligible to pursue scholarships to qualify for scholarships to pursue high-demand healthcare credentials.

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.

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.

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.