Trustee Insights - MHA | Michigan Health & Hospital Association

MHA Monday Report July 31, 2023

July 31, 2023July 28, 2023 Monday Report

Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day Scheduled

MHA chief nursing officers and other Michigan hospital leaders are encouraged to register for Hospitals for Patient Access Advocacy Day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 13 at the MHA Capitol Advocacy Center in …

CMS Releases Medicare Physician Fee Schedule CY 2024 Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its calendar year (CY) 2024 proposed rule for the physician fee schedule. The rule proposes a decrease to the conversion factor by 3.34%, to $32.75 in …

Toolkit Created to Strengthen Caregiver Support Programs

The MHA Keystone Center recently released the Michigan Caregiver Navigation Toolkit to guide hospitals and health systems implementing and maintaining caregiver navigation programs. These initiatives are designed to support caregivers in their role by providing …

CMS Releases Occupational Mix Data

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released July 12 the fiscal year 2025 Hospital Wage Index Development Timetable, a public use file (PUF). The PUF contains data reported by prospective payment system hospitals on …

AI and Workforce Development Webinar Series Offers CME Credit

The MHA and other state hospital associations are hosting a webinar series in partnership with the Huron Consulting Group Aug. 10 through Nov. 9 from 1 – 2 p.m. EST. CME and continuing education credit …

Corewell Health’s Freese Decker Named AHA Chair-elect Designate

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Board of Trustees elected Tina Freese Decker, president & chief executive officer, Corewell Health as its Chair-elect Designate July 16. Freese Decker will be Chair-elect in 2024 and become the …

The Keckley Report

The Four Issues that will Impact Healthcare Services Providers and Insurers Most in the Last Half of 2023 and First Half of 2024

“As first half 2023 financial results are reported and many prepare for a busy last half, strategic planning for healthcare services providers and insurers point to 4 issues requiring attention in every boardroom and C suite …

These issues frame the near-term context for strategic planning in every sector of U.S. healthcare. They do not define the long-term destination of the system nor roles key sectors and organizations will play. That’s unknown. …”

Paul Keckley, July 24, 2023

MHA Monday Report July 24, 2023

July 24, 2023July 21, 2023 Monday Report

Governor Signs MHA Supported Legislation and Announces Round of GoingPro Awards

Gov. Whitmer signed several MHA-supported bills during the week of July 17 related to the Healthy Michigan Plan, organ donation and vaccine distribution. Those bills include: House Bills 4495–4496 (Public Acts 98-99 of …

CMS Releases Medicare FFS OPPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) effective Jan. 1, 2024. The rule proposes to: Increase the outpatient conversion …

MHA Webinar Focuses on Crisis Events

Crisis events are unpredictable and often present unique challenges in healthcare. The MHA is convening healthcare and community leaders virtually from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Aug. 25 to exchange ideas and resources for crisis events …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Quality Oversight

The Keckley Report

The Health System needs a Heart Transplant

“It’s a time when workforce activism is peaking, and hourly workers in hospitals, long-term care facilities and in home care are targets of organizing efforts by unions. …

In an industry as big and prominent as healthcare, hourly workers including nurses, techs, business office and patient support services are vital to its performance. Those in skilled professions that require licenses are buffered by shortages: that’s the case with nurses, physical therapists and others. But not as much for non-skilled positions where cost-cutting has heightened labor-management tensions. And this comes as most hospitals have recovered to pre-pandemic financial health and CEO compensation in not-for-profit systems has become a lightening rod for industry critics like Arnold Ventures, West Health and Lown Institute among others. …

Hourly workers are the beating heart of the healthcare industry: they don’t have star power, they don’t have a voice, and they don’t feel they’re seen or heard. As the system transitions to AI-powered workforce solutions in bigger organizations, the heartbeat is irregular. It needs attention.”

Paul Keckley, July 17, 2023

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of July 17 regarding the healthcare workforce, federal legislation to address drug shortages and bills signed by Gov. Whitmer eliminating burdensome provisions in the Healthy Michigan Plan and …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Quality Oversight

July 20, 2023July 21, 2023 Member News

The July edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), focuses on the board’s role in improving quality. Elizabeth Mort, MD, MPH, former senior vice president of quality and safety and chief quality officer at Massachusetts General Hospital, shares best practices for senior administrative and clinical leaders and board members to set a safe and just culture that supports inclusion and psychological safety. Mort offers tactics for framing the board’s work around quality and safety goals. Another article focuses on a critical quality issue – improvement in substance abuse treatment. A recent study indicated approximately one in 11 visits to the emergency department and one in nine hospitalizations are related to substance use disorder (SUD), accounting for up to 33% of all admissions in safety net settings.

Boards should consider how to promote evidence-based practices through their quality programs, advocate for SUD-related education and serve as a vital conduit between the hospital’s SUD work and the community.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Supporting Workforce Mental Health

May 18, 2023August 30, 2023 Uncategorized

Healthcare employees face incredible challenges that take a toll on their physical and mental health. A significant number of healthcare professionals experience burnout and other forms of distress. Providing easy access to awareness, prevention and treatment resources for staff must be a priority.

The May edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes a briefing to educate and raise awareness for trustees about suicide prevention and the role that hospital and health system boards can play in this public health issue. The May edition also provides useful resources for boards to initiate a conversation about reducing the risks of and preventing suicides in the healthcare workforce. Another article focuses on proactive board leadership, in conjunction with the CEO, to engage 100% of board members in dialogue and decision making that take full advantage of the board’s assets – with effective governance as the result.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report April 24, 2023

April 24, 2023August 24, 2023 Monday Report

Healthcare Policy Bills Advance from Legislative Committees

Several bills tracked by the MHA saw further action in the Michigan Legislature the week of April 17. Committees in the House and Senate took votes on bills to create a new tax credit for blood donations and to allow …

New MHA Resource Outlines Changing Public Health Emergency Flexibilities

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 public health emergency will expire May 11, 2023. The end of the PHE will eliminate several pandemic flexibilities, while others have been extended by Congress. …

MHA Unemployment Compensation Program Receives National Recognition

The MHA Unemployment Compensation Program (UCP) was recognized by the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) April 19 for the MHA UCP’s commitment to utilizing the NASWA’s nationwide, web-based system SIDES for receiving new claims …

FAQs Released for Michigan Physician Order for Scope of Treatment

The Michigan Physician Order for Scope of Treatment is an optional advance care planning form for adult patients with advanced illness or frailty for whom, based on their current medical condition, death would occur …

New State Psychiatric Hospital to Replace Hawthorn Center

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Technology, Management & Budget announced the state will construct a new $325 million psychiatric hospital located at the current site of Hawthorn Center …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Board Competency

The Keckley Report

Hospital CEO Pay: in the Spotlight: Three Critical Facts and Important Implications

“In recent months, compensation for hospital CEOs has received heightened attention among regulators, policymakers, academic researchers and in media …

The burden falls on Boards to bolster messaging to address transparency concerns, misinformation and disinformation on a broad range of issues including CEO pay. It falls on the Board compensation committees to justify adjustments to compensation that address the long-term sustainability of the organization, incorporating measures in addition to financial performance in evaluating the CEO’s performance. And increasingly, the relationship between the CEO’s pay to the short and long-term performance of the organization and to the “average worker’s pay” will be closely scrutinized.“

Paul Keckley, April 17, 2023

News to Know

The MHA membership will convene in person for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting June 28 through 30 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.
The Root Cause Coalition is accepting requests for proposals by April 24 to present at the 8th Annual National Summit on the Social Determinants of Health Dec. 3-5 in Kansas City.

MHA in the News

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business published a story April 20 on the annual release of the West Michigan Works! list of “hot jobs,” with nearly half of the 100 high-demand careers being in health-related professions. …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Board Competency

April 20, 2023August 25, 2023 Member News

A hospital governing board must truly understand factors influencing their community’s healthcare and recruit trustees with the competencies needed to effectively guide annual priorities, objectives and strategies for the hospital. The April edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article about developing a board competency framework to build a trustee pipeline by understanding trustee terms and timelines, reviewing trustees against needed competencies and building dashboards to engender accountability.

Additional articles focus on optimizing executive sessions and developing a health equity mindset.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report March 20, 2023

March 20, 2023March 17, 2023 Monday Report

State Medicaid Office Addresses Legislative Policy Panel

The MHA Legislative Policy Panel convened March 15 to develop recommendations for the MHA Board of Trustees on legislative initiatives impacting Michigan hospitals. The meeting was highlighted by a presentation on Medicaid redetermination from Brian …

MHA Provides Testimony Supporting State Psychiatric Care and Healthy Michigan Plan

During the week of March 13, the MHA provided testimony to both the Michigan House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and the House Health Policy Committee. Laura Appel, executive vice president of Government …

RFP Available for Pediatric Inpatient Behavioral Health Grant

The MHA is issuing a request for proposal for a $50 million competitive grant program for Michigan healthcare entities to expand access to pediatric inpatient behavioral health services. The funding was appropriated by the …

MHA Keystone Center PSO Annual Meeting May 3

The healthcare workforce is at higher risk of harm due to violence than other professional fields. Recent increases in workplace violence represent a major barrier to both staff and patient safety, prompting the need for …

Registration Open for MHA Human Resources Member Forum

The MHA will host an in-person Human Resources Member Forum at the MHA headquarters in Okemos from 8:30 a.m. to noon April 26, with a virtual option available as well. The forum is structured as …

Changes to Medicaid Dental Coverage Effective April 1

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will implement a new service delivery model for adult dental benefits effective April 1, 2023. The following groups will be eligible: Medicaid beneficiaries ages 21 years and …

Changes to Telemedicine Policy Post-COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will rescind certain COVID-19 telemedicine flexibilities beginning May 12, 2023, with the conclusion of the federal health public health emergency. Policy MMP 23-10 outlines flexibilities that …

Michigan Dispensing Law Changes

Michigan state law will be updated beginning March 29, 2023, to allow pharmacists to dispense a non-controlled prescription written by a prescriber licensed in another state or province of Canada. Public Act 80 of 2022 …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Covers Board Development and Behavioral Health

One of the strongest predictors of health system performance is the quality of governance that shapes its response in an unstable environment. The March edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American …

The Keckley Report

The Biden Budget: Key Signals to Voters and an Important Implications for the Health Industry

“Last Thursday, the Biden administration released its proposed FY24 federal budget which is certain to spark political posturing by partisans on all sides and long-term speculation by political pundits and economists. At a high level, it includes… …

In total, healthcare spending represents 30% of the total outflow of federal funds in this budget compared to 29% in ’22 (Medicare 12%, Veteran’s Health 2% and Other Line Items 15%)—almost 50% more than Social Security and more than 100% above defense spending. …”

Paul Keckley, March 12, 2023

News to Know

The MHA will host The End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) and Preparing for the New Regulatory Environment webinar from 4 to 5 p.m. March 30.
Registration is now open for the MHA Keystone Center Safe Patient Handling Conference.

MHA in the News

The MHA received media coverage the week of March 13 regarding conversations around workforce funding and current challenges amid the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Covers Board Development and Behavioral Health

March 17, 2023August 29, 2023 Member News

One of the strongest predictors of health system performance is the quality of governance that shapes its response in an unstable environment. The March edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article outlining steps to move from a “yes” board to a “best” board by carefully considering whether the hospital has the appropriate structure and composition to press back on the strategies that may not be the best solution.

Additionally, the AHA released a new trustee resource, Boardroom Brief: How Boards Can Support Workforce Behavioral Health. This resource intends to educate and raise awareness for trustees about suicide prevention and the role that hospital and health system boards can play in this important public health issue. It also provides resources for boards to initiate a conversation about reducing the risks of and preventing suicides in the healthcare workforce.

For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 23, 2023

January 23, 2023August 30, 2023 Monday Report

LARA Updates Implicit Bias Training Rules

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs recently released the final draft of the Public Health Code – General Rules to allow asynchronous teleconference or webinars as acceptable modality of training as part of the implicit bias training standards. ..

MHA Offering Occupational Mix Survey Webinar

The MHA is hosting an educational webinar 10 a.m. Jan. 31 to assist hospitals in completing the 2022 occupational mix survey. The webinar is available free of charge but registration is required. The survey must be submitted to the Medicare …

Nominations Open for 2023 MHA Ludwig Community Benefit Award

The valuable role of Michigan hospitals and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic is unmistakable. Brave personnel throughout these facilities have worked for three years to care for the staggering number of patients through their doors. Even during these difficult …

Registration Open for the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Academy

The MHA is offering its popular Healthcare Leadership Academy program on March 13-15 and May 15-16. With 10 years of history helping medical professionals lead more effectively, the program focuses on developing a new generation of healthcare leaders. …

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on 2023 Priorities and Population Health

As more evidence points to the impact of social determinants of health and the lack of progress on achieving notable healthcare quality aims, hospital boards need to continue to reframe what governance leadership and excellence should look like. The January …

The Keckley Report

HCA Mission Hospital: A Predictable Shot by SEIU or Something Bigger?

“Last Thursday, NBC News reported that HCA Healthcare, the nation’s second biggest hospital operator, was guilty of nurse under-staffing at Asheville NC Mission Hospital endangering patient care. The 182- hospital chain countered its hospitals operated safely as evidenced by earning A/B from Leapfrog in 80% of its hospitals. …

In one respect, Mission is a case study applicable to every hospital in the U.S. health system. Pressure to reduce operating costs and increase revenue is a constant. …”

Paul Keckley, Jan. 16, 2023

News to Know

Hospital leadership and key decision-makers will gather June 28-30 for the MHA Annual Membership Meeting on Mackinac Island. …