MHA is the only state hospital association in the U.S. led by hospital trustees.
The association's Board of Trustees is comprised of the chief elected trustee leader (or his or her designee) from each member organization. The Board annually approves the association's strategic direction and budget.
Ongoing organizational activities and policies are determined by the Executive Committee of the Board, which meets monthly. The majority of Executive Committee members are hospital or health system trustees. Members include MHA's officers (Board Chair, Vice Chairs, Secretary, and Treasurer); the chairs of MHA's three policy councils; trustee and executive councilors-at-large; and the board chairs of the Maryland Healthcare Education Institute, PRIME, the Health Policy Leadership Alliance, and the Association's representative to the American Hospital Association's House of Delegates.
MHA staff and board members are required to annually complete a conflict of interest statement. A copy of MHA's policy is available upon request.
MHA's Bylaws (pdf)
MHA's Policy Councils
Three broad-based policy councils address health care quality and clinical issues, legislation and regulatory policy, and finance. Occasionally, the Executive Committee convenes task forces to address short-term policy issues or develop association policy on a single critical issue.
Council on Clincial Quality Issues
This council is responsible for pursuing continuous improvement in the quality of health care delivered by MHA member organizations. The council explores clinical and related patient care issues that arise in response to changes in technology, community expectations, and financing of health care delivery systems. The council also promotes the measurement and improvement of community health status, initiatives to assess and improve health care performance, and strategies to address emerging public health and policy issues. This council evaluates new approaches for the licensure and accreditation of health care facilities, as well as the licensure and credentialing of health professionals.
Council on Legislative and Regulatory Policy
This council shapes and advances health care policy through the state and federal legislative and regulatory processes. The council evaluates, prioritizes, and recommends changes to Maryland's health care regulatory structure, to enable hospitals and health systems to better serve their communities' needs. This council also develops advocacy strategies to implement MHA-supported initiatives and positions.
Council on Financial Policy
This council represents MHA member organizations' finance and payment issues to state and federal agencies, insurers, the business and labor community, and other related groups. The council, which also helps members better understand the health care financial system, develops the vision and structure for changes to Maryland's payment system, and promotes support for these changes. Through the ongoing evaluation of all aspects of the payment system, the council works to secure the financial resources needed to enable member organizations to serve their communities.