Committees & Councils

MHA Committees, Councils and Task Forces

Participation in an MHA committee, council or task force allows MHA members to influence and guide policy making decisions for the association.  The call to serve on its committee, councils and task force is now closed until June 2022.

Those MHA members that are interested in serving on a committee, council or task force, should complete the new self-nominating form. The MHA Committees, Councils and Task Forces Nomination Process Guide provides instructions on how MHA members may self-nominate to participate.

MHA committees, councils and task forces have specific purposes:

• MHA Committees focus primarily on programmatic issues.
• MHA Councils explore and examine issues unique to a specific group within the MHA membership.
• Participating Hospital Advisory (PHA) Committees provide nonbinding input on Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PHA activities including billing, payment practices, utilization management and quality assurance.
• Task Forces work primarily on a single issue, generally over a short time period. Work groups convene as circumstances warrant or input is required.

The MHA also convenes work groups when circumstances warrant their creation or input on a specific issue is required.  

MHA Committees

Behavioral Health Integration

Guides the MHA’s policy efforts for behavioral/physical health integration. Develops recommendations addressing access to behavioral healthcare services and fostering integration with the greater healthcare delivery system
Staff secretary: Laura Appel

Hospital Affiliated Legislative Officers (HALO) 

The committee/workgroup complements the MHA Legislative Policy Panel through the coordination of day-to-day advocacy efforts with members and by monitoring and reviewing healthcare policy, state budget activities and prosed/pending state and federal legislation.
Staff secretary: Adam Carlson

Michigan Green Healthcare

The committee promotes sustainable strategies for healthcare facilities and generates new ideas and initiatives to respond to emerging needs or concerns and meet environmental, economic and social objectives. Learn more about the Michigan Green Healthcare Committee»
Staff secretary: Erica Leyko

Quality and Accountability 

The committee provides input on MHA policy issues related to safety, quality management and compliance issues, including performance improvement and accreditation/regulatory compliance. The committee also identifies, develops and recommends policy solutions, guided by the MHA data principles, to position the MHA as the primary source for hospital and healthcare data and information. As delegated by the MHA Board of Trustees, the committee will provide member feedback for the www.verifymicare.org website, including measure addition, removal and maintenance.

The committee routinely reviews accreditation standards and policy changes that affect providers as proposed by organizations such as the Joint Commission, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Additionally, this committee facilitates MHA feedback regarding national quality initiatives including those of the American Hospital Association, National Quality Forum and the Joint Commission.
Staff secretary: Michelle Norcross and Gwen Schroeder

MHA Councils

Chief Financial Officer Council

This council identifies and analyzes finance policy and payer matters that affect MHA member hospitals and health systems. In addition, the council develops and recommends, strategies to address identified issues based on MHA Board of Trustees’ priorities.
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Council on Children's Health

The council focuses on issues unique to the advancement of children’s health in Michigan.
Staff secretary: Laura Appel

Financial Policy Council

The council identifies and analyzes, finance policy and payer matters that affect MHA member hospitals and health systems. In addition, the council develops and recommends, strategies to address identified issues based on MHA Board of Trustees’ priorities.
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Health Information Technology Strategy

The council identifies and develops strategies to help the MHA and its members with health information technology issues by reviewing regulatory and industry trends with significant implications for member hospitals.
Staff secretary: Jim Lee

Human Resources Council

The council advances the mission of the MHA as well as the role of human resource leaders by providing input on legislative and regulatory issues relevant to healthcare employers including diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, workplace safety, and workforce development. The Council provides networking and educational opportunities for HR professionals, dissemination of best practices, and data collection and reporting relating to hospital and health system workforce metrics.
Staff secretary: Nancy McKeague

Legislative Policy Panel

The council identifies and analyzes healthcare legislation impacting MHA members and Michigan’s healthcare community. It also recommends formal association positions on legislation and helps guide association advocacy efforts based on the MHA Board of Trustees’ legislative and political priorities.
Staff secretary: Chris Mitchell

Person & Family Engagement Advisory Council (PFEAC)

The council promotes and accelerates person and family engagement and the principles of person- and family-centered care in Michigan hospitals, and gives a voice of patients and families within the MHA and MHA Keystone Center. Learn about Person- and Family- Centered Healthcare »
Staff secretary: Erin Steward

Physicians in Healthcare Leadership

The council focuses on the unique issues related to physicians, including physician integration and interaction within hospitals, healthcare systems and physician practices. This council promotes and advances the role of physician leadership and facilitate their education; provides insight, advice and recommendations to the MHA and the MHA governing boards; and serves as a catalyst for the delivery of healthcare.
Staff secretary: Gary Roth, DO

Small or Rural Hospitals

The council identifies and examines issues unique to small or rural providers from a regulatory and policy development viewpoint. Informs policy- and decision-making bodies of the MHA.
Staff secretary: Sam Watson

Participating Hospital Agreement Committees

Benefit Administration

The committee provides input to BCBSM on billing and claims processing issues.
Staff secretary: Vickie Kunz 

PHA Advisory

The committee provides input to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) on Participating Hospital Agreement contract matters
Staff secretary: Jason Jorkasky

Utilization Management & Quality Assessment

Provides input to BCBSM on matters that are relevant to utilization, quality and health management.
Staff secretary: Rob Wood and Jason Jorkasky

MHA Regional Councils

Hospital Council of East Central Michigan

Janet Herbert, president
Chair: Dan Babcock, CEO, Marlette Regional Hospital, Marlette

Upper Peninsula Hospital Council

Ruthanne Sudderth, president
Chair: Karen Cheeseman, CEO, Mackinac Straits Health System