Trustee Matters — October 2021

A Message from Jon Doolittle, New MHA President and CEO

As you are reading this, I am just embarking on my new journey as the Missouri Hospital Association’s President and CEO. Although it may be some months before I have the chance to meet many of you, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself.

Most recently, I was the President of Mosaic Medical Center — Albany, a progressive, system-affiliated rural health organization containing a critical access hospital and four primary care practices in northern Missouri. It was an incredible honor to lead my hometown hospital, and directly serve my friends and family for the past 11 years. Before that, I served in a variety of positions at Cerner Corporation, a large health information technology services company based in Kansas City. I also have served on the MHA Board of Trustees since 2014, most recently as its board chair.

During my time in Albany, I became one of MHA’s biggest fans as I saw how it helped my organization better serve our region. Now, I am excited to lead an association team that helps our members create a smarter, safer, more efficient and more equitable system of care that is appropriately understood and valued by policymakers. MHA enjoys a strong reputation among its members, other health care organizations and other state hospital associations across the country. The opportunity to help hospitals treat patients, serve communities and manage operations is one I’m truly blessed to have.

The perspective of hospital trustees is so important — you truly represent the needs of the community. Never hesitate to let me know how we can help you.

Medicaid Expansion Enrollment Commences

MHA Contact: Brian Kinkade

The first Missourians eligible for coverage under the expanded Medicaid eligibility standards approved by voters more than a year ago officially were enrolled on Oct. 1. This watershed moment marks the successful conclusion to hospitals’ long-fought effort to close Missouri’s “coverage gap” that was created by a United States Supreme Court ruling that Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act was an option left to the states. Ultimately, more than 270,000 low-income Missourians are expected to gain access to Medicaid coverage under the expansion, which makes it far and away the most significant addition to Missouri’s Medicaid program since its inception in 1967.

For Missouri adults living below the poverty level, expansion means access to a broad range of health care services, including preventive care and treatment for chronic conditions. For hospitals, expansion means a ready source of payment for care provided to patients who otherwise would be uninsured or underinsured. Although newly eligible individuals are just now being enrolled in the program, most will be afforded coverage back to July 1, the date the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed as the starting date for Missouri’s Medicaid expansion.

Resources on MHA’s Medicaid expansion web page, including a comprehensive guidance document, are available to help hospitals understand Medicaid expansion and learn what they can do to help newly eligible patients qualify for coverage.

Missouri’s financing for Medicaid expansion is secure. The federal government will pay 90% of the program’s costs; the remaining 10% will be paid for from state funds that already have been set aside in the state treasury. Medicaid expansion will not compromise funding for existing state services.

Medicaid Expansion Webinar Recording

MHA hosted a webinar, “Navigating the Path to MO HealthNet Coverage: How Hospitals Can Help Their Patients,” on Oct. 14. Experts from three hospitals with proven track records in identifying and helping patients navigate the pathway to Missouri Medicaid coverage shared their experience. Access the recording.

A Balloon Into the Sky: 40 Days to COVID-19 Healing

Across the nation, COVID-19 forced people into isolation. At Mosaic Life Care, a health care system in northwest Missouri, hospital inpatients struggled with the virus for weeks and months becoming like family members to staff members who, in turn, became surrogate daughters and sons, sisters and brothers. Tragically, these caregivers also were the ones to hold the patients’ hands, look into their eyes and offer them love as they passed. This took place daily for months and significantly impacted the health care workforce mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

“‘A Balloon Into the Sky: 40 Days to COVID-19 Healing’ was written to help our caregivers heal from this unprecedented time in history,” says the book’s co-author and Mosaic CEO Mark Laney, M.D. In a little more than 100 pages, the reader is taken on a journey leading them into the unknown – a journey of desperation, grief and, finally, victory through the eyes of Mosaic’s caregivers and leaders.

“The Organizational Growth and Development team leads groups of caregivers through the book one story at a time. Co-author Kris Daise and I wrote this as a devotional, so they read the story, reflect on secular quotes and sacred scripture from the world’s great religions, and exchange ideas for ways to begin their healing journey,” Dr. Laney explains.

He says Mosaic also uses stories from “A Balloon Into the Sky” as a discussion-starter for teams around organizational values, brand and standards of behavior, and it gives the leadership team a mechanism for discussion during monthly leadership meetings.

“We might focus on a story that celebrates a victory, teaches a lesson or provides an opportunity for improvement,” he says. “And we do this in a very respectful way, since so many of the caregiver accounts are deeply personal and very emotional. The world may never fully heal,” Dr. Laney says, “but this book brings those who read it a little closer.”

All proceeds from the sale of “A Balloon Into the Sky: 40 Days to COVID-19 Healing” support the needs of Mosaic caregivers and patients through the Mosaic Life Care Foundation. For organizational pricing, email book@myMLC.com.

Join Us!

Join us for MHA’s 99th Annual Virtual Convention on Wednesday, Nov. 3, through Friday, Nov. 5. National speakers will share their experience and insight, and leave attendees inspired, recharged and ready to embrace whatever changes may lie ahead.

Executive Update

During the Executive Update on Friday morning, MHA’s new President and CEO, Jon Doolittle, will reflect on the challenges and achievements of the last year and provide perspective on the strategic opportunities that lie ahead for MHA and member hospitals in 2022.

Awards

The achievements of peers also will be recognized through well-deserved awards, including the Trustee of the Year Award, which will be presented on Friday morning.

Be sure to check out the full schedule of events online, and register today!