Latest AHA Trustee Insights Focuses on Supporting Workforce Mental Health

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

MHA Monday Report

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

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 March edition of Trustee Insights, the …


The Keckley Report

Paul KeckleyHospital 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


Annual Meeting iconNews 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

Brian PetersCrain’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

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

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 …


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

Paul KeckleyThe 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


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 “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

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 – 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

Paul KeckleyHCA 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. …

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 board’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, contact 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, contact 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, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.

Suicide Prevention Focus of AHA Trustee Insights

September is National 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, contact Erin Steward at the MHA.