Tag: vaccination

MHA Monday Report Feb. 9, 2026

Member News, Monday Report

IMLC Legislation Clears House, Continuing Education and Credentialing Bills Advance

The Michigan House of Representatives voted in support of House Bill 5455, sponsored by Rep. Rylee Linting (R-Grosse Ile Township), which would restore Michigan to the IMLC. The compact supports access to care, particularly in rural …

Former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow Addresses MHA Board

The MHA Board of Trustees’ Feb. 4 meeting featured a discussion with former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, who is now a senior policy advisor with DC-based Liberty Partners Group, a bipartisan strategic consulting firm. Stabenow …

MHA Releases FAQ on Rural Health Transformation Program Funding

The MHA recently released a new frequently asked questions (FAQ) document to help members better understand allowable uses, limitations and compliance requirements related to Michigan’s Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The FAQ clarifies that RHTP …

CMS Releases 2025 Occupational Mix Survey for Hospitals

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released the 2025 occupational mix survey to collect data from hospitals paid under the Medicare inpatient prospective payment system. Survey results will be used to adjust …

 

MHA Reinforces Evidence-Based Vaccination Guidelines

The MHA is strengthening its commitment to evidence-based immunization practices under the guidance of the MHA Healthcare and Public Health Integration Council and chief medical and nursing leaders. Efforts include distributing educational resources, reaffirming alignment …

Initiative Seeks to Expand Perinatal and Infant Mental Health Services in Michigan

Providers who serve pregnant people, infants and families are encouraged to complete a brief survey to help build Michigan’s first statewide Perinatal and Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (PIECMH) Provider Directory. The initiative is led …

HHS Announces $100M Investment in Substance Use and Mental Health Treatment

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a $100 million investment to expand substance use disorder treatment, mental health services and housing-related supports under the administration’s Great American Recovery initiative. …

 

MDHHS Withdraws PIHP Procurement

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has withdrawn its request for proposals (RFP) to competitively procure Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans (PIHPs), ending the planned rebid process. The decision follows a Jan. 8 …

Hospitals Help: Youth Safety Event Teaches UP Students Emergency Preparedness

Camp 911 is a hands-on, youth-focused safety event supported by Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson hospital that is designed to teach school-aged children essential emergency response skills. The camp brings together professionals from various fields to demonstrate …

News to Know

  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner Wakely is hosting the webinar Summary and Impacts of the 2027 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice Feb. 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. ET.
  • The 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference, scheduled for March 24 at the Crowne Plaza Lansing, will convene human resources leaders and professionals who are shaping the future of the healthcare workforce.
  • MHA Endorsed Business Partner CyberForce |Q is hosting an in-person Coffee & Collab for Cybersecurity Leaders Feb. 10 from 8:30 – 10:00 a.m. ET at CyberForce|Q headquarters in Plymouth, MI.

MHA in the News

The Mining Journal published a statement from the MHA chief medical officer following the distribution of guidance to

Michigan families departing from established standards. Dr. Roth emphasizes the efficacy of vaccines and urges families to seek medical guidance from their providers. “Vaccines remain …

MHA Reinforces Evidence-Based Vaccination Guidelines

Member News

The MHA is strengthening its commitment to evidence-based immunization practices under the guidance of the MHA Healthcare and Public Health Integration Council and chief medical and nursing leaders. Efforts include distributing educational resources, reaffirming alignment with Michigan Department of Health and Human Services recommendations and releasing a public statement.

Gary Roth, DO, MBA, FACOS, FCCM, FACS, chief medical officer, MHA issued a media statement Feb. 4 endorsing the American Academy of Pediatrics immunization schedule. This comes amid concerns that some local health departments have issued guidance that deviates from established standards.

With families receiving vaccine information from various sources, confusion may occur. Healthcare providers continue to serve as trusted voices by offering clear, science-based guidance. Adherence to established immunization schedules remains essential to protecting public health and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases.

Members with questions regarding vaccinations may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.

AAP and Common Health Coalition Review Updated Vaccine Guidance

Member News

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the Common Health Coalition hosted the webinar “Hot Topics on Respiratory Vaccines: Clearing the Air on Liability and Practice Considerations.” Oct. 21. Legal, clinical and communication experts discussed shared clinical decision-making (SCDM), liability and documentation best practices.

The webinar provided an overview of updated vaccine guidance, the current legal landscape and liability surrounding vaccine administration, and best practices for documenting shared clinical decisions.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently updated COVID-19 vaccine labeling to include only individuals 65 and older and those at high risk for severe illness. However, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) continues to recommend vaccination for everyone six months and older. ACIP’s recommendation, rather than FDA labeling, determines insurance coverage and Medicaid reimbursement.

Speakers clarified that off-label vaccination, such as for healthy adults under 65, remains legally permissible when it aligns with the professional standard of care. Providers are encouraged to document SCDM conversations outlining risks, benefits and reasons for accepting or declining vaccination. Documentation demonstrates patient engagement and provider diligence.

Clinics led by nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants or pharmacists may administer vaccines under SCDM if within their scope of practice. Following state health department guidance to vaccinate beyond the FDA label offers additional legal support.

Providers should continue billing with standard immunization codes. New CPT codes effective January 2026 will allow billing for vaccine counseling even when a vaccine is not administered.

Experts emphasized that clear communication about vaccine safety and effectiveness remains critical to sustaining public confidence and vaccine uptake.

Members with questions regarding this webinar or vaccine policy should contact the MHA policy team.

Media Recap: State Budget & Vaccines

Member News, MHA In The News

The MHA received media coverage the week of Sept. 1 on the state budget and COVID-19 vaccines.

Several news outlets published stories related to the harmful impacts to healthcare found in the state budget bill passed by the Michigan House of Representatives.

Adam Carlson9&10 News aired a story Sept. 2 that includes an interview with Adam Carlson, senior vice president, advocacy, MHA, explaining the cuts found in the bill.

“It includes billions of dollars in cuts that impact things like maternal health care payments to physicians and all sorts of other healthcare related cuts that are completely unnecessary,” said Carlson.

The MHA issued a press release Sept. 3 sharing the House version of the budget endangers 20,000 hospital jobs and a $4.9 billion economic loss to the state. This led to a critical reaction from the House Speaker, resulting in stories from The Detroit News and Gongwer. A MHA media statement shared responding to the Speaker’s criticism was released that evening.

“We will not be bullied away from defending our patients. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting healthcare access throughout Michigan,” said Peters in the statement, that was included in the Gongwer story.

Lastly, Bridge published an article Sept. 4 providing information on how to access the COVID-19 vaccine. The MHA provided a comment for the story from Gary Roth, DO, chief medical officer, MHA.

“Our role is to support hospitals in their efforts to increase overall vaccination uptake and avoid the spread of vaccine preventable diseases, as the evidence is indisputable that vaccines are the best tool available to prevent severe illness and save lives,” said Roth.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.