Tag: Strategic Action Plan

News to Know – Nov. 10, 2025

Member News
New to Know
  • MHA offices will be closed and no formal meetings will be scheduled Nov. 11 in honor of Veterans Day.
  • The MHA will host a virtual member forum from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Nov. 7 to outline the MHA 2025-26 Strategic Action Plan approved by the MHA Board of Trustees. The member webinar will share the elements of this year’s plan and help members learn effective ways to connect with thought leaders in their community to support hospitals and healthcare providers in these challenging times. There is no cost to attend, but members are asked to register by Nov. 5. Access information for the virtual session will be sent Nov. 6. Questions about the member forum can be directed to Erica Leyko at the MHA.
  • Amy Brown, chief nursing officer, MHA, recently joined MHA Endorsed Business Partner (EBP) AMN Healthcare on the episode “Empowering Nurses Through Advocacy and Innovation” of the Elevate Care Podcast. Brown shared details on her extensive journey in nursing, from her experiences as a chief nursing officer during the pandemic to her current role at the MHA. She discusses the critical issues of workplace violence, improving maternal health quality, empowering nurses to advocate for policy changes and the deep impact of potential healthcare funding cuts on rural areas. The conversation also explores the evolving role of technology in nursing and the importance of nurse engagement in advocacy at both local and federal levels. Members may contact Beth Kisielius, vice president of strategic partnerships at AMN Healthcare to learn more.
  • MHA EBP SunRx is continuing a webinar series about 340B Rebate Model Briefings on Nov 13 and Nov 20. Manufacturers will require complete rebate-ready data through Beacon and 340B ESP® on Jan. 1, 2026, and SunRx is working to engage leaders with updates. These events are intended exclusively for 340B entities. For more information, contact Dwayne Dodd, regional manager at SunRx.

First Legislative Policy Panel Meeting of New Program Year

Member News

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel held their first meeting of the MHA program year at the MHA Capital Advocacy Center Oct. 30 to develop recommendations on legislative issues impacting Michigan hospitals.

Chad Tuttle, SVP, clinical shared services, Corewell Health, chairs the panel this year with Amanda Shelast, president, Marshfield Medical Center – Dickinson, serving as vice chair. Carlos Jackson with Washington D.C.-based Cornerstone Government Affairs provided a federal update, covering what is at stake in the 2024 election and post-election lame-duck healthcare priorities. MHA CEO Brian Peters also reviewed the MHA 2024-25 strategic action plan.

The Panel took two action items on cybersecurity and pediatric long-term care.

The Panel adopted a position of neutrality on Senate Bills (SB) 888 – 892. The Panel directed the MHA to continue conversations with legislators regarding new requirements related to cybersecurity to recognize and support hospitals as victims of these attacks. SBs 888 – 892 require entities that have access to Michigan resident’s personal information to maintain security procedures for the protection of that information. It also establishes processes for notifying the state and impacted residents of data breaches.

The Panel also heard an update on House Bill (HB) 5974 related to the creation of prescribed pediatric extended care facilities. The Panel asked several questions about the purpose and effectiveness of the legislation. Reintroduction of HB 5974 is likely in the 2025-26 legislative session, giving the Panel another opportunity to consider the concept as introduced, as well as alternatives.

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

MHA Board of Trustees Holds Final Meeting of Program Year

Member News

The MHA Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the 2023-2024 program year on Mackinac Island in conjunction with the MHA Annual Membership Meeting. At the meeting, the board recognized the success of the association in achieving the priorities outlined in the Strategic Action Plan, focusing on workforce support and innovation, behavioral health, health equity and viability. These achievements, which are outlined in the MHA’s 2023-2024 Annual Membership Report, included opposition to mandated staffing ratios and support for specific workforce development and innovation programs to strengthen the workforce pipeline and provide hospitals the ability to mange staffing levels based on their needs and patient complement.

On the behavioral health front, efforts to increase access to beds and improve capacity continues, including the collection of real-time data about emergency department boarding; working directly with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to tour inpatient psychiatric facilities; and administering a $50 million grant program to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The board approved the final report of the Health Equity Task Force and MHA teams will begin implementing these recommendations to advance health equity priorities and assist hospitals in meeting Maternal Levels of Care standards.

The board acknowledged the success of the association in protecting the viability of hospitals and access to care for the vulnerable communities they serve by working with the MDHHS and The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to maximize the Medicaid provider tax program to bring Medicaid funding to as close to average commercial rates as possible under federal limits. The board discussed how best to communicate the importance of this vital funding and the many ways it’s being used by health systems to improve care across communities.

Lastly, the board approved many associate members including Fifth Third Bank, i2G Systems, Unitek Learning and Welle Training, Inc.

Members with questions about the actions of the MHA Board of Trustees may contact Amy Barkholz at the MHA.

MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series Navigates Challenges

Member News

The MHA is hosting a five-part webinar series to provide hospital staff with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s behavioral health system and the hospital’s role in connecting patients with care. These webinars are part of the MHA’s continued investment in behavioral health, a key priority in its strategic action plan and advocacy and policy efforts. The series will provide hospitals with strategies to navigate the current system, strengthen partnerships and identify innovative solutions for overcoming many challenges in management of patients with behavioral health needs.

The next webinar in the series is Wednesday, April 17 at 1 p.m.

April 17: Navigating Challenges

The webinar will address the dispute and resolution process and the voluntary and involuntary commitment process.

May 8: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 1

Will offer innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

June 12: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 2

Will offer additional innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

Registration is free and open to MHA-members only. The series will be relevant to any employee working closely with behavioral health patients who are part of the CMH/PIHP contracting process or work with community organizations to support patient’s behavioral health needs at the time of discharge.

Members with questions on the webinar series may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Members with questions on the MHA behavioral health strategy may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series: Second Webinar

Member News

The MHA is hosting a five-part webinar series to provide hospital staff with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s behavioral health system and the hospital’s role in connecting patients with care. These webinars are part of the MHA’s continued investment in behavioral health, a key priority in its strategic action plan and advocacy and policy efforts. The series will provide hospitals with strategies to navigate the current system, strengthen partnerships and identify innovative solutions for overcoming many challenges in management of patients with behavioral health needs.

The next webinar in the series is Wednesday, March 13 at 1 p.m.

March 13: Building a Strong Working Relationship with Your Local PIHP and CMH

This webinar will cover PIHP master contracting process. rate setting and payment variability and requirements of the CMH system for in-state and out-of-state hospitals.

April 17: Navigating Challenges

The webinar will address the dispute and resolution process and the voluntary and involuntary commitment process.

May 8: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 1

Will offer innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

June 12: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 2

Will offer additional innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

Registration is free and open to MHA-members only. The series will be relevant to any employee working closely with behavioral health patients who are part of the CMH/PIHP contracting process or work with community organizations to support patient’s behavioral health needs at the time of discharge.

Members with questions on the webinar series may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Members with questions on the MHA behavioral health strategy may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.

Register for the MHA Behavioral Health Learning Series

Member News

The MHA is hosting a five-part webinar series to provide hospital staff with a deeper understanding of Michigan’s behavioral health system and the hospital’s role in connecting patients with care. These webinars are part of the MHA’s continued investment in behavioral health, a key priority in its strategic action plan and advocacy and policy efforts. The series will provide hospitals with strategies to navigate the current system, strengthen partnerships and identify innovative solutions for overcoming many challenges in management of patients with behavioral health needs.

Feb. 14: History and Structure of Michigan’s Public Behavioral Health System

Topics include the history of Michigan’s public behavioral health system, the structure of community mental health/pre-paid inpatient health plan (CMH/PIHP) agencies and how to build strong relationships with these partners.

Mar. 13: Building a Strong Working Relationship with Your Local PIHP and CMH

This webinar will cover PIHP master contracting process. rate setting and payment variability and requirements of the CMH system for in-state and out-of-state hospitals.

April 17: Navigating Challenges

The webinar will address the dispute and resolution process and the voluntary and involuntary commitment process.

May 8: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 1

Will offer innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

June 12: Innovative Strategies to Address the Behavioral Health Crisis in Michigan Hospitals – Part 2

Will offer additional innovative solutions that hospitals and health system partners across the state are using to manage and treat behavioral health patients.

Registration is free and open to MHA-members only. The series will be relevant to any employee working closely with behavioral health patients who are part of the CMH/PIHP contracting process or work with community organizations to support patient’s behavioral health needs at the time of discharge.

Members with questions on the webinar series may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA. Members with questions on the MHA behavioral health strategy may contact Lauren LaPine at the MHA.