Hospitals join UMMC in departing Mississippi Hospital Association

A handful of main hospitals say they’re ending their membership with the Mississippi Hospital Affiliation, lengthy an influential participant within the coverage and political areas within the state. 

Mere days after the College of Mississippi Medical Middle introduced that it’s leaving the MHA, Memorial Hospital in Gulfport, Singing River Well being System on the coast and George Regional Well being System in Lucedale have all terminated their relationship as nicely, citing issues with the hospital affiliation’s management. None cited particular causes for his or her issues.

MHA President Tim Moore couldn’t be reached by press time. He’s led the group for nearly 10 years. 

As first reported by Magnolia Tribune, UMMC despatched a letter to the MHA on April 28, ending its relationship and citing issues with present MHA management. The letter was signed by Vice Chancellor LouAnn Woodward and Affiliate Vice Chancellor for Scientific Affairs Alan Jones. UMMC is the state’s largest public hospital. 

A spokesperson for UMMC replied it had “no remark” to questions emailed by Mississippi Right this moment in regards to the choice.

Memorial Hospital despatched an analogous letter, signed by its CEO Kent Nicaud, to the MHA on Could 1.

“After a lot thought and deliberation, and as I discussed at our Govt Assembly on April 21, 2023, I’ve vital issues concerning the technique, imaginative and prescient, and habits of MHA management,” Nicaud writes. “Whereas I sincerely consider in an efficient, united, and powerful affiliation, I don’t really feel that’s the case at the moment. 

“Primarily based upon latest actions, I’ve misplaced confidence within the affiliation and worry that within the close to future, MHA’s present management and imaginative and prescient will detract from the energy and imaginative and prescient to which we now have all contributed over the previous a number of years.”

Singing River terminated its relationship with the MHA on Could 1 by means of a letter signed by CEO Tiffany Murdock and Board President Erich Nicols. The letter lists issues about “technique, communication and management.”

“Whereas the MHA can play an vital function in supporting hospitals throughout the state, we now have misplaced confidence in its skill to take action beneath the present management,” it reads. 

A letter dated Could 1 and obtained by Magnolia Tribune reveals George Regional Well being System management, too, shared doubts in regards to the MHA’s “management technique.” A hospital spokesperson couldn’t be reached for remark by Mississippi Right this moment by the point of publication.

The MHA represents the pursuits of Mississippi’s hospitals. The affiliation advocates for coverage change on each the state and federal stage, and its web site says the MHA contains “over 100 hospitals, well being care techniques, networks, care-providers and a pool of over 50,000 staff.” It has lobbied for Medicaid growth

It’s not clear what number of hospitals may comply with go well with within the coming days.