MHF Insights: MDHHS sustainable? Not so much.

Good morning!

In Laura Ingalls Wilder's well-known story The Long Winter, Almanzo knew he had to preserve his seed wheat for spring planting in order to reap a harvest that fall. Pa Wilder knew that without wheat to eat, his family would starve before spring. Both men knew something about sustainability, priorities, and thinking outside the box - and everyone survived.

Michigan could learn from their example.

Nations require a 1:2.1 fertility rate to be sustainable. Amid a record-low 2020 US fertility rate of 1:1.7 (or less), Michigan ranked 14th lowest in the nation. 

Sustainable healthcare requires a steady inflow of young entry-level workers. Michigan's shortage of nurses' aides is having a ripple effect throughout healthcare. The growing population of elderly are particularly at risk, because they're dependent for basic care upon a shrinking pool of caregivers. 

Young caregivers traditionally provide a major pipeline to the health professions, so any barrier to their job entry will increase current medical and nursing shortages. The timeline to real trouble was shortened by COVID-19, as the state's heavy rulemaking and data collection stressed all of healthcare beyond the effects of the virus itself.

Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), unfortunately, has a plan that will grow government and make nurses' aide shortages worse. Direct quotes:

• It is imperative that professional, ethical, and educational standards be set.
• Establishing a PCA Professional Association
• State-funded, skilled trade training programs
• Establish a statewide commission
  

Elementary facts show flaws in addressing shortages with this grand plan to "professionalize" basic care.

In nursing, for example, less than 85% survive the education process and licensing exam. Within the first two years, another 33% are gone, thanks to systemic problems. 

Market forces have a simple and elegant method of dealing with shortages: increased wages and better working conditions attract more people. Contrast this to Michigan's culture of excessive healthcare regulation and outrageous budget appropriations for healthcare regulators.

Comfortably enjoying its $28.5 Billion annual budget, MDHHS "... acknowledges the challenges around wages and is committed to exploring innovative financing models to address those challenges."

For a much more reliable fix, Michigan should cut MDHHS and release individual healthcare workers and the private sector to create their own solutions.

NOTE: We owe a debt of gratitude to every stable family, adoption and foster care commitment, human trafficking or abortion clinic "save," and thoughtful rejection of birth control. Those committed to raising up the next generation do incalculable good for all of healthcare - and for our country.

 At MHF, we're working on sustainability as well. Support our efforts with a generous gift today!

Best,

Abby

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Abigail Nobel, BSN, RN, MA
Michigan Healthcare Freedom
"Healthcare has barriers. We expose them."  
PolicyRNAbby@gmail.com
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If everyone knew all there is to know, they would not do half the things they do, including myself, therefore I must foregive them, including myself.