Michigan Legislature Advances Several Healthcare Bills During State Budget Negotiations The Michigan Legislature passed more than 65 policy bills, including several healthcare-focused measures, as part of the state budget negotiations…

MHA Board of Trustees Urges Members to Contact Lawmakers to Oppose Hospital Review Board Legislation The MHA Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the 2025-26 program year June…

House Speaker Introduces Hospital Cost Review Board and New Health Tax Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) announced legislation June 18 that would establish a hospital cost review board…

Behavioral Health Screening Legislation Advances The House Health Policy Committee advanced legislation addressing preadmission screening assessments for behavioral health patients, as other healthcare bills advanced in the legislature during the…

House Judiciary Hears Testimony on Violence Against Healthcare Workers Legislation Legislation addressing violence against healthcare workers heard testimony in the House Judiciary Committee during the week of June 1, while…

Register for Always Caring, Always Advancing Webinar The MHA is hosting a member webinar introducing Always Caring, Always Advancing, a new multi-year statewide public affairs campaign, from 1 to 2…

Livonia-Westland Business Leaders Meet with MHA on Affordability The MHA partnered with the Livonia-Westland Chamber of Commerce on May 14 to host an event at its Livonia offices to engage…

House Passes Multiple Healthcare Bills The Michigan House passed legislation related to third-party litigation financing, Medicaid prescription requirements and surgical smoke plume evacuation during the week of May 11. Lawmakers…

  Medical Residents Highlight Workforce Needs During 2026 GME Capitol Day The MHA Graduate Medical Education (GME) Capitol Day welcomed nearly 30 physician residents from member hospitals to the MHA…

Senate Approves Fiscal Year 2026-2027 Budget, Organ Donor Tax Credit Legislation Advances Several healthcare-related measures, including the full Senate budget and legislation on tax credits for organ donation, saw action…

House, Senate Advance Budget Proposals; MHA-Supported Bills Move Budget proposals from the House and Senate advanced in their respective chambers, while MHA-supported legislation saw action during the week of April…

House Budget Proposal Advances; Other Hospital Bills See Action Several healthcare bills, including mandatory nurse overtime, medical debt collections, prescribed pediatric extended care facilities and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services budget, saw action…

Michigan Health & Hospital Association Establishes MHA Center of Rural Excellence The Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) announced April 10 the establishment of the MHA Center of Rural Excellence,…

Hospital HR Professionals Gather at MHA Human Resources Conference The MHA welcomed human resources leaders from across the state for the 2026 MHA Human Resources Conference March 24 in Lansing….

Governor Whitmer Signs Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Bill Gov. Whitmer signed House Bill 5455, now Public Act 6 of 2026, into law March 26. This came ahead of the deadline…

Mandatory Overtime, Assisted Outpatient Treatment Legislation Advances Several key healthcare bills, including mandatory nurse overtime, assisted outpatient treatment, Certificate of Need and site-neutral payment policies, saw action in the legislature…

Medical Debt Legislation Clears Senate, MHA-Supported Bills Advance in the House Legislation addressing medical debt collection processes and hospital financial assistance policies passed the Michigan Senate, while the House of Representatives moved MHA-supported bills…

Healthcare Bills Advance in Michigan Legislature Several healthcare-related bills advanced in the Michigan Legislature during the week of March 2, including proposals addressing medical debt, liability protections, organ donation incentives…

Governor Whitmer Delivers Final State of the State Address Gov. Whitmer delivered her final State of the State address Feb. 25 before a joint session of the Michigan House of…

Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Awaits Further Consideration, Important Healthcare Bills Advance The House and Senate advanced key healthcare bills through the committee process during the week of Feb. 16 and legislation to restore…

State Legislative Weekly Recap: Executive Budget Recommendations, Nurse Mandatory Overtime Testimony The House and Senate Appropriations committees held a joint hearing for Gov. Whitmer’s executive budget recommendation for fiscal year…

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),…

House Appropriations Committee Hears RHTP Testimony, IMLC Bill Advances The Michigan House Appropriations Committee heard testimony on federal funding awarded through the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), and legislation to…

Michigan Legislature Resumes Session, International Medical Graduate Bills Clear House Rules The 103rd Michigan Legislature resumed session for the 2025-26 term during the week of Jan. 12, with the MHA continuing to…

MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy Applications Due Feb. 6 The enrollment deadline for the MHA Healthcare Leadership Academy is Feb. 6. The cohort meets Feb. 25-27 and May 7-8 at the…

Healthcare Bills Advance During Final State Legislative Session Week of 2025 Enforcement of hospital price transparency measures, removal of mental health questions on health professionals’ license applications, and the creation…

Unemployment Benefit Waiver Bill Clears Senate; International Physician Legislation Advances Legislation to waive the collection of improper unemployment benefits cleared the Michigan Senate in a unanimous vote, while bills creating…

Stop the Bleed Legislation Advances, Preadmission Screening Bill Introduced Legislation protecting good Samaritans who apply bleeding-control techniques passed the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, while a bill…

MHA Submits Comments on Proposed Medicaid Mental Health Assessment Policy The MHA recently submitted comments to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on proposed policy 2545-BH, which sets new mental health assessment…

Notable Healthcare Legislation Clears House, Senate Committees Legislation on physician assistant licensure compact agreements, international medical school graduates, hospital price transparency measures and medical debt collection advanced in the Michigan…

Congressman Bergman Co-Sponsors Critical Access Hospital Relief Act U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) recently co-sponsored HR. 538, the Critical Access Hospital Relief Act of 2025, which would remove the 96-hour physician certification requirement for inpatient…

Compact Bills Receive Bipartisan Support in Michigan House The Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation during the week of Oct. 27 to add the state to the speech-language pathologist and…

Speech-Language Pathologist Medicaid Coverage and Critical Incident Stress Management Services Legislation Advances Legislation improving coverage policies for speech-language pathologists and broadening those included under Critical Incident Stress Management services advanced…

DIFS Releases Bulletin Protecting COVID-19 Vaccinations The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) issued a bulletin on Oct. 16, advising health insurers in the individual and small group…

Healthcare Funding Protected in New State Budget Signed by Gov. Whitmer The Michigan Legislature’s newly passed state budget, which protects all existing healthcare funding, was signed into law Oct. 7…

Michigan Legislature Passes State Budget, Preserves Healthcare Funding The Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate passed a state budget protecting all existing healthcare funding on Oct. 3. House Bill…

House Health Policy Hears Testimony on 340B Legislation The House Health Policy Committee took up recently introduced legislation addressing 340B contract pharmacy arrangements during the week of Sept. 22. House…

Hospital Nurses Ensure Healthcare Stays Top of Mind for State Legislators The Michigan Organization for Nursing Leadership and the American Nurses Association of Michigan hosted more than 75 nurses from…

MHA Hosts Successful Community Impact Advocacy Day The MHA hosted more than 110 hospital leaders from across the state for a Community Impact Advocacy Day at the Michigan State Capitol…

House Budget Threatens Hospitals, Workforce and Patient Access The budget passed by the Michigan House of Representatives on Aug. 26 includes harmful cuts to hospitals that could jeopardize more than…

House Budget Includes Harmful Hospital Funding Cuts The Michigan House of Representatives voted 59-45 on Aug. 26 for a state budget that includes harmful cuts to hospital funding and healthcare…

CMS Releases FY 2026 Final Rule for Skilled Nursing Facilities The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service prospective payment…

CMS Releases FY 2026 LTCH Prospective Payment System Final Rule The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a final rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service long-term care…

MHA Trustee Webinar Outlines Information and Planning for the OBBBA The MHA will host the webinar Understanding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and Board Planning for the Impact…

HRSA Announces 340B Rebate Pilot; President Trump Pens Letter on Most Favored Nation Pricing The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued guidance July 31 on a proposal to shift…

MHA Shares Recent Medicare and Medicaid Enrollment Analysis The MHA recently updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment based on June 2025 data. The analysis includes program enrollment as…

CMS Releases Medicare 2026 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released a proposed rule to update the Medicare fee-for-service outpatient prospective…

Medical Debt Legislation Introduced, Maternal and Behavioral Health Bills Clear Senate Legislation addressing medical debt was introduced in the Michigan State Senate June 26. The bipartisan three-bill package, Senate Bills…

MHA Board of Trustees Holds Final Meeting of Program Year The MHA Board of Trustees held its final meeting of the 2024-2025 program year on Mackinac Island June 25 in…

Senate Health Policy Holds Testimony on Opioid Legislation The Senate Health Policy Committee held testimony on legislation related to treating patients with opioid use disorders during the week of June…

Nurse Licensure Compact Legislation Clears House, Next of Kin Bills Advance Legislation on the Nurse Licensure Compact and next of kin designations advanced in the Michigan House during the week…

Violence Against Healthcare Workers Legislation Introduced Legislation to address violence against healthcare workers was introduced June 3 in the Michigan House of Representatives. A bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced House…

MHA and DataGen to Host Upcoming Medicare Quality-Based Program Webinars The MHA has partnered with DataGen to host two upcoming webinars focused on the Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) quality-based programs which…

MHA Testifies in House Oversight Subcommittee, IMLC and AOT Legislation Passes Senate The MHA provided testimony May 21 to the House Oversight Subcommittee on Public Health & Food Security on…

Healthcare Legislation Advances in House, Senate Numerous healthcare bills including the Nurse Licensure Compact, Interstate Medical Licensure Compact and the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS) budget advanced…

Michigan Senate Hears MHA Testimony on ED Boarding Challenges, MHA Opposes Introduced MCPA Bill The MHA provided testimony May 7 to the Senate Health Policy Committee on certain challenges related…

Wellpath Supplemental Testimony Highlights Week of Advocacy Efforts The MHA provided testimony April 30 to the House Appropriations Committee about healthcare services provided to prisoners by Michigan hospitals that have…

MHA Testifies on Nurse Licensure Compact Bills, Senate Passes Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Momnibus Legislation The House Health Policy heard testimony from the MHA in support of creating a…

MHA Member Provides Testimony to House Health Policy Committee; Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact Bills Clear Committee The House Health Policy Committee heard testimony from stakeholders on legislation to establish a…

U.S. House Advances Budget Resolution, Sets Up Potential Medicaid Cuts The United States House of Representatives advanced a Senate budget resolution April 10 that calls for a minimum of $1.5…

Deadline Nearing to Register for the MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium The April 18 registration deadline is quickly approaching for the MHA Keystone Center Safety & Quality Symposium,…

Healthcare Laws Set to Take Effect April 2025 More than 30 healthcare laws signed by Gov. Whitmer from last term are set to take effect on or after April 1….

Senate Hears MHA Testimony on Medicaid; Licensure Compact House Bills Advance The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee of the Department of Health and Human Services heard testimony from the MHA on Medicaid…

Legislative Policy Panel Acts on Opioid Treatment Policies The MHA Legislative Policy Panel met virtually March 12 to develop recommendations on legislative and policy issues impacting Michigan hospitals. The MHA…

Senate Passes 340B Hospital Protections & IMLC Clears House The Michigan Senate passed legislation that protects 340B hospitals with bipartisan support while the Michigan House of Representations voted through legislation…

340B Protections Pass Senate Committee & Governor Delivers State of the State Address Legislation that would implement 340B program protections advanced in the Senate Oversight Committee and Gov. Whitmer delivered…

Earned Sick Time Act Officially Enacted The Michigan Legislature held a late-night session Feb. 20 that ultimately led to amending the Earned Sick Time Act set to take effect at…

Earned Sick Time Act & Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Advance in Senate Two key pieces of legislation related to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) and the Interstate Medical Licensure…

IMLC Moves Through Committee & Executive Budget Recommendation Presented Several noteworthy healthcare issues saw attention the week of Feb. 3 by state lawmakers and policymakers, including the Interstate Medical Licensure…

Important Healthcare Workforce Bills Reintroduced & Committee Assignments Announced Important healthcare workforce bills related to the interstate medical licensure compact prohibitions on non-compete agreements were reintroduced from the past legislative…

Legislation on Maternal Healthcare Access and Preserving Healthy Michigan Plan Coverage Becomes Law Gov. Whitmer signed several bills Jan. 21 aimed at improving maternal healthcare access, equity and outcomes, as…

House Committee Advances Earned Sick Time Act Changes The House Select Committee on Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses voted unanimously to report House Bill 4002 during the week of…

103rd Legislature Begins With Introduction of Earned Sick Time Bills The Michigan Legislature officially commenced their 103rd session on Wednesday, Jan. 8, including the introduction of legislation to amend Michigan’s…

MHA Prevents Staffing Ratios and Medical Liability Changes The MHA defeated legislation that would have established government-mandated nurse staffing ratios and legislation that would have made detrimental revisions to Michigan’s…

340B Hospital Protections Advance, Medical Liability Blocked During Busy Lame Duck Various healthcare bills, including increased 340B protections for healthcare providers, received attention by the Michigan Legislature during the week…

Medical Liability Highlights Healthcare Issues That Receive Legislative Attention A large collection of healthcare bills, including one that seeks to change medical liability, received attention by the Michigan Legislature during…

DEA Extends Telemedicine Rule for Controlled Substances Through 2025 The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Department of Health and Human Services recently issued a rule extending telemedicine prescribing flexibilities…

Workforce Bills Highlight Healthcare Legislation Advanced in the State Legislature Several workforce bills highlighted the healthcare legislation that advanced in the state legislature during the week of Nov. 11. The…

Hearings Held on State Legislation Impacting Hospitals Several bills impacting hospitals were discussed in state committee hearings during the week of Nov. 4. The Michigan House Health Policy Behavioral Health…

Behavioral Health Bills Advance, Other Bills Discussed in State Legislature Several bills impacting healthcare and hospitals were advanced through committees in the state Senate during the week of Oct. 28….

Obtaining Beyfortus through the Vaccines for Children Program Vaccination remains a key strategy to mitigate the impact of adverse health outcomes on patients and hospital operations during the 2024-2025 respiratory…

State Senate Advances Healthcare Legislation Several bills impacting healthcare and hospitals were advanced through committees in the state Senate during the week of Oct. 14. Senate Housing and Human Services…

Legislation Impacting Hospitals Advances in State Legislature A variety of bills impacting hospitals were introduced and discussed in the state legislature during the week of Oct. 7. Gov. Whitmer signed…

MHA Participates in Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health Healthcare Policy Forum Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health hosted Oct. 4 the ninth annual regional healthcare policy forum in Kalamazoo. Moderated by Dr. Colleen Allen,…

Legislation Impacting Hospitals Introduced in State Legislature A variety of bills impacting hospitals and health systems were introduced and discussed in the state legislature during the week of Sept. 23….

McLaren Port Huron Nurse Receives MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award The MHA Keystone Center celebrated Melissa Burgess, RN at McLaren Port Huron Hospital as its quarterly MHA Keystone Center Speak-up!…

Leaders Convene for Crucial Healthcare Workforce Discussion The MHA hosted nearly 150 thought leaders from healthcare, post-secondary education and workforce talent development Sept. 11 in Lansing for a discussion to…

MHA Updates Medicaid and Medicare Enrollment Analysis The MHA updated its analysis of Medicaid and Medicare enrollment to reflect July 2024 data. The analysis now includes program enrollment as a…

Register for MHA 2024-25 Strategic Action Plan Webinar The MHA is hosting a virtual member forum 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 14 to outline the MHA 2024 – 2025 strategic…

MHA Submits Comments on Speech-Language Pathologist Proposed Policy The MHA recently provided comments to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding a proposed policy change for Medicaid enrollment…

MHA Shares State Impacts and Insights at Regional 340B Roundtable MHA staff attended the Regional 340B Roundtable Aug. 7 in Florence, IN to join colleagues from the Indiana Hospital Association,…

Michigan Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Paid Sick Leave & Minimum Wage The Michigan Supreme Court issued a ruling July 31 in Mothering Justice v. Attorney General that upholds voter…

Governor Signs FY 25 Budget and FY 24 Supplemental   Gov. Whitmer signed the fiscal year (FY) 2025 state budget on July 24. The budget proposal fully funds the Michigan…

Introducing New Infection Prevention Education The MHA Keystone Center, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, created a series of online learning modules for infection control…

MHA Comments on SUSTAIN 340B Discussion The MHA submitted comments to U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), John Thune (R-SD), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and…