Latest news with #MichiganHealthandHospitalAssociation
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Mental health advocates discuss shortage of resources in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Mental health advocates met at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing Wednesday in hopes of highlighting the needs of patients for critical infrastructure, long-term hospital beds, and emergency resources to help with the overall improvement of behavioral health. 'It's hard to see patients, particularly the pediatric patients, but also adults and all patients that come through here that are not able to get that kind of care they need in the long-term in the community through the additional behavioral health beds,' said Chief Medical Officer of UM Health Sparrow Dr. Chandu Vemuri. State lawmakers and local health officials say Michigan currently ranks 46th in the nation in behavioral health resources, offering five psychiatric beds per 100,000 people. 'That's countless families waiting on what can be life-saving care.. In an emergency situation, every second, staff member, and room availability matters,' said State Representative Angela Witwer. Officials say the lack of resources has overwhelmed emergency departments, creating another hurdle between patients and quality health services. 'Last year, for over 18 months, we collected data from our hospitals and health systems that told us that on any given day, there are more than 155 patients that are stuck in emergency departments across the state that are looking for behavioral health services,' said Lauren Lapine, Senior Director of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. 'And honestly, that's a pretty conservative estimate.' Medicaid beneficiaries are among the most impacted, with one in every three Medicaid patients waiting more than two days in emergency departments for care, according to health officials. 'The patients that are Medicaid beneficiaries in state law have to work with a local community mental health agency, and that adds an additional layer of complexity for patients,' Lapine said. Health care officials say policy changes and key investments in critical treatment options are still needed to improve behavioral health services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Michigan hospitals, activists disagree on price-gouging claims
LANSING, (Mich.) WLNS — Shopping for the right hospital could save you money, according to the Michigan Health Purchasers Coalition (MIHPC). The group claims hospitals are ripping off patients when it comes to drug costs, but hospitals deny this. Bret Jackson, the president of MIHPC, says excessive costs are keeping people from getting the care they need. 'People not taking the drug that they need to be healthy because of the cost of what they have to pay out of their pocket,' said Jackson.'It really is the difference between living a healthy life or suffering.' According to data provided by MIHPC, hospitals spent just more than $4 billion on drugs in 2023, but patients paid more than $13 billion for those same drugs. Jackson said hospitals don't have to charge as much as they do. 'Some hospitals are overcharging patients for drugs. I don't think they need to, I think they are getting reasonable rates for drugs that they are dispensing to patients, and I think they need to do right by the parents that they serve…' Many patients pay what's called a co-insurance, usually around 20% of the total cost of care. For patients with Medicare, drug prices are often much lower. One example from the MIHPC was Humira, a drug used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. With Medicare, the drug costs about $1,800. Without Medicare, Humira can cost around $13,000 for the exact same drug. Laura Appel, the Vice President of the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, rejects the claims of over-pricing. 'We reject the claim of price gouging. The coalition chose a few items to analyze. We think that their dataset is incomplete,' said Appel. Appel said the coalition failed to recognize multiple important cost factors involved with these drugs. 'Just the cost of the drug, that is not the cost of receiving the drug in the hospital, and keeping it at the right place at the right temperature, and paying pharmacists and pharmacy taxes, and making sure that the drug is not expired,' said Appel. 'Hospitals do everything that they can to keep costs down and still serve their communities.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
