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November 3, 2019
Exemplifying Team Power: The Nats!
Like many of you, I spent much of October staying up past my bedtime, bingeing on ice cream, and shouting at the TV—all while watching the Washington Nationals in inning after inning of nail-biting baseball. Fortunately, the elevated stress paid off. And, even if they hadn’t won the final game, it would’ve been worth it.

My excitement and sense of pride in their World Series championship are particularly sweet after a dismal start to the season. How did they do it? There are many thoughts and theories out there.

To me, this victory is rooted in positive culture and collaboration combined with a can-do attitude. All attributes I see in you, your teams and your hospitals.

When Bryce Harper left the Nationals in March—chasing the largest paycheck in MLB history—it looked bad for the team. What did they do? They leveraged the talent and depth of their other players; they used the savings to fix weak spots; and, they all came together to play to their distinct strengths.

Like the Nats, the Maryland hospital field is proof that the collective is far more powerful than the individual. I’m reminded again and again that all our players contribute in their own ways and, importantly, lift the team to produce peak performance.

Our collective strength is what garners our bigger wins for our field and the people we serve.
This is particularly crucial both as we move into the new legislative session and as we must further prove the effectiveness of the Maryland model. The value of our united efforts is tremendous. When we stick together, we’re unstoppable.
Bob Atlas
President, CEO and die-hard Nats fan
AHA Survey on Value, Affordability
MHA encourages hospitals and health systems to participate in the AHA State of Value member survey, designed to gather data, stories and experiences related to affordability and value. Results will support the work of AHA’s The Value Initiative , which provides thought leadership, education, resources and tools to advance affordable health care and promote value within communities. In addition, strong participation from organizations in Maryland will allow the opportunity for state-specific data. The survey was emailed to AHA members on September 26; responses are due November 15. For more information, contact AHA’s survey support at 800.530.9092 or surveysupport@aha.org .
Free Year-Long Mentored Opioid Stewardship Program
The American Hospital Association, High Value Practice Academic Alliance & Johns Hopkins Medicine are inviting hospitals to participate in a free year-long mentored opioid stewardship program. Four tracks will be available: judicious post-operative opioid prescribing, naloxone prescribing, alternative medications and opioid recovery. The kick-off for the program is November 16, and registration information is available here .
Community Health Resource Commission Releases Annual Call for Grant Proposals
The Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) voted October 29 to release the annual call for proposals for fiscal year 2020.  The RFP has been released . The commission will host an informational call for potential applicants November 7 at 10 a.m. (1.866.247.6034 Code: 4102607046). It is not necessary to RSVP your attendance in advance of the call. Attendance on the call is encouraged but not mandatory. Hospitals are eligible for these grants. Letters of Intent, which are mandatory, are due to the commission by noon November 20. Full grant proposals are due no later than noon December 19. Following a review period in January 2020, CHRC commissioners are expected to make grant award decisions in February 2020.

For questions, contact the commission at 410.260.6290.
Open Enrollment For Affordable Care Act Underway, Resources Available
Open enrollment for the health insurance exchange marketplaces for calendar year 2020 began November 1 and ends December 15. The American Hospital Association has a number of resources available to your organizations—including social media messaging, graphics and video—available at aha.org/getcovered and in a digital toolkit to encourage enrollment and reduce the uninsured rate.
Recognizing Collaboration for Healthier Communities
The American Hospital Association is accepting nominations through November 25 for its 2020 Dick Davidson NOVA Award, which recognizes outstanding collaboration by hospitals and health systems for healthier communities. The award honors AHA members for their collaborative efforts to improve community health status whether through health care, economic or social initiatives. AHA will honor up to five organizations with awards in 2020. More information, including applications, is available at aha.org/nova
National Group Buys Program Offers Savings for MHA Members
Maryland Hospital Association (MHA) members are eligible for Vizient’s National Group Buys through MHA Prime. The program offers opportunities for members to realize substantial savings and enhanced contract value on select products and services. To date, Vizient’s capital equipment group buys have saved members more than $421 million. Group buys are available in 45 major categories, including biomedical engineering, imaging, business office, cardiology, laboratory, central supply, emergency room, medical records, and surgery. Here is a list of group buys on offer through December. For more information contact your MHA Prime Client Executives: Joy Money at 240-856-3303 or Diane Bruno at 410-790-8031.
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