MHA Monday Report March 20, 2023

MHA 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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


MHA Keystone Center PSO Annual Meeting May 3

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


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


The Keckley Report

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

โ€œLast 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 includesโ€ฆ โ€ฆ

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

Paul Keckley, March 12, 2023


News to Know


MHA CEO Brian PetersMHA 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

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 โ€œyesโ€ board to a โ€œbestโ€ 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, contactย Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Jan. 23, 2023

MHA 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 โ€“ General Rulesย to allowย 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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


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 โ€ฆ


The Keckley Report

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

โ€œLast Thursday, NBC News reported that HCA Healthcare, the nationโ€™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. โ€ฆ

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. โ€ฆโ€

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. …

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 edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), includes an article outlining the boardโ€™s role in overseeing initiatives to address social determinants of health, health equity, patient and family-centric care and how to tie financial stewardship, strategy, organizational culture to community health and well-being.

Another article outlines the focus areas of the AHA 2023 Committee on Governance, including advancing health, patient-centeredness, technological advances and workforce. This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers.

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

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Multitiered Governance Structures

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The December issue includes an article noting the uptick in hospital and health system mergers and affiliations and defining expectations for board members in a multitiered governance system. The article addresses roles of executives and trustees, using an authority matrix to outline key governance functions and the implications to governance as the system grows and becomes more complex. The issue also includes a whitepaper containing key strategies and practical tools for orienting new board members.

This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers.

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

Latest AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Physician Alignment and Consumerism Strategies

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available. The October issue includes an article outlining the critical need for alignment of leadership between the physician organization and hospital on key priorities and initiatives that address clinician needs and challenges and why alignment is an essential retention strategy to the operating environment. The article poses questions the board should be answering to maintain physician relationships.

Another article outlines the importance of identifying what individuals want and value from their healthcare experience, empowering Patient and Family Engagement Advisory Councils (PFEAC) to manage this process and working with the PFEAC to set goals and track progress using consumer engagement and patient experience metrics.

This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers. For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contactย Erin Steward at the MHA.

Suicide Prevention Focus of AHA Trustee Insights

September is Nationalย Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and an opportunity to be reminded of the many resources available to support emotional well-being.

The September edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), features article about ways governing boards can support suicide prevention initiatives, both through quality and safety practices and through behavioral health networks offering services across the spectrum. Another article outlines how to recognize the behaviors of employees who experience burnout, depression and other forms of anxiety, ways to decrease stigma and interventions and treatments that reduce suicide risk.

This resource is available free for AHA members and at a cost for nonmembers. For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contactย Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Sept. 12, 2022

MHA Monday Report

Healthcare Remains Michiganโ€™s Largest Private-sector Employer Despite Pandemic Losses

The Partnership for Michiganโ€™s Health reports healthcare directly employed nearly 572,000 Michigan residents in 2020, demonstrating that healthcare continues to be the largest private-sector employer in the state despite staffing losses attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2022 releaseย โ€ฆ


Lt. Gov. Hosted at Capitol Advocacy Center


MHA Drafts Comments on 340B Provisions and REH Payment Policies


MHA Offering Basics of Case Management Boot Camp


Implicit Bias Trainings Available to Meet LARA Requirement


Webinar Explores Guidelines for Strategic Planning


Virtual Nurse Preceptor Academy Supports New Employee Training and Retention


MHA CEO Report โ€“ Time to Focus on Cybersecurity


AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Financial Turnaround and Succession Planning


Paul KeckleyThe Keckley Report

In Campaign 2022, Healthcare Voters Will Matter More

โ€œToday begins the countdown to election day November 8: in 63 days, voters will elect 36 Governors, 30 State Attorneys General, 27 Secretaries of State, 35 US Senators, 435 US House of Representatives and State Legislators in 46 states. Itโ€™s a consequential election for the country and for its healthcare industryโ€ฆ

Campaigns will avoid healthcare issues other than abortion. Conceding that healthcare is expensive and access uneven, most midterm campaigns will default to partisan themesโ€ฆโ€

Paul Keckley, Sept. 6, 2022


News to Know

  • The deadline to provide contact information in preparation for the stateโ€™s anticipated grant program to implement an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder program has been extended to Sept. 23.

MHA in the News

MHA CEO Brian Peters

AHA Trustee Insights Outlines Financial Turnaround and Succession Planning

The latest edition of Trustee Insights, the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association (AHA), is now available.

The June issue includes an article written by leading governance expert Jamie Orlikoff, who discusses the severe financial crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and approaches for boards to effectively oversee the financial turnaround of their organizations.

Another article outlines the profoundly negative consequences of acute care hospital CEO turnover and why succession planning must match the organizationsโ€™ current talent with the needs of its future. Additionally, it offers recommendations for evidence-based succession planning.

These resources are available free for AHA members. For information about MHA trustee resources or webinars, contactย Erin Steward at the MHA.

MHA Monday Report Feb. 21, 2022

MHA Monday Report

MHA Covid-19 updateCombating the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19): Week of Feb. 14

The current surge of hospitalizations due to COVID-19 has continued its downward trend. The seven-day average of hospitalizations in the U.S. as of Feb. 13 was 80,185, down from 136,534 Jan. 20. Michigan hospitalizations for confirmed and suspected cases …


capitol building

Supplemental Budget Signed, Pharmacy Benefit Manager Legislation Passed

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Feb. 16 signedย House Bill 5523, a $1.2 billion supplemental funding bill that focuses on keeping kids learning in-person and bolstering the stateโ€™s healthcare workforce. This legislation directs $300 million to …


MHA Virtual Member Forum to Review Strategic Action Plan Priorities

The MHA will host a virtual member forum from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 24 to outline the MHA 2021-2022 program yearโ€™s strategic action plan, which the MHA Board of Trustees approved in August. The forum willย review the priorities set for the year, progress to date, and the tactics the …


Feb. 22 Webinar to Outline Housing Options for Those in Need

Throughout the pandemic, being nimble and recognizing that much in the social support sector is in flux has been crucial, as has being intentional about identifying key areas and needs, including housing. Housing interventions improve housing stability and health outcomes while decreasing healthcare …


Webinar Explores Changing Environment of Digital Marketing for Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic and the rapidly changing competitive environment are making the consumer digital experience a higher priority for healthcare marketers than ever before. With budgets rebounding and marketers accelerating efforts in personalization, healthcare marketers must invest in new …


WELL-B Program Registration Extended

Registration has been extended to March 29 for the Well-being Essentials for Learning Life-Balance webinar series. WELL-B is a behavioral health training program for the healthcare workforce that delivers weekly webinars on evidence-based well-being topics, including prevalence …


Eligibility Expanded for ED Medication for Opioid Use Disorder Initiative

In partnership with the MHA Keystone Center, the Michigan Opioid Partnership and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan has launched an Emergency Department Medication for Opioid Use Disorder …


Workforce, Operational Challenges Addressed at MHASC Board, HR Committee Meetings

At its Feb. 9 meeting, the MHA Service Corporation (MHASC) board focused on supporting MHA Strategic Action Plan priorities including behavioral health, workforce sustainability, data strategy, cybersecurity and diversifying MHASC products, services, and partnerships. To receive an update …


Online Workforce Solutions Available

The MHA and the Michigan Health Council announced two offerings as means for strengthening the nursing workforce. The Clinical Faculty Academy is designed to expand the pool of nurses involved in educating the next generation of nurses and to increase nursing school enrollments. …


Submit Proposals to Present at The Root Cause Coalition National Summit

The MHA is a member ofย The Root Cause Coalition, whose mission is to reverse and end the systemic root causes of health inequities for individuals and communities through cross-sector partnerships. The coalition has opened its request for proposals to present at the seventh National Summit on the …


Latest AHA Trustee Insights Highlights Board Engagement

The latest edition ofย Trustee Insights,ย the monthly digital package from the American Hospital Association, is now available and contains valuable information on board engagement. COVID-19 has tested boardsโ€™ abilities to lead in times of prolonged and daunting pressures, and time …


Laura Appel speaks Feb. 14 with WILX News 10.

Media Recap: Appel Discusses Workforce Issues

Laura Appel, senior vice president, health policy & innovation, MHA, was quoted in stories the week of Feb. 14 discussing issues impacting the healthcare workforce. Hospitals across the country are concerned about anticompetitive activity and questionable pricing from …


The Keckley Report

Paul Keckley

The Healthcare Value Agenda 3.0: What to Expect in 2022 and Beyond

โ€œThe value agenda in U.S. healthcare is transitioning to version 3.0. While the aim of replacing fee-for-service incentives remains the same, the next version will be decidedly different.โ€

Paul Keckley, Feb. 14, 2022