IHA’s advocacy reach extends to the local level, where policy decisions by government leaders impact patients in the communities where they live. IHA urges local governments to invest in healthcare.
Luis Andrade, lead human services and Medicaid analyst for the Office of the Illinois House Speaker, joins IHA as its director of government relations, effective Aug. 6.
IHA's offered several suggestions on the City of Chicago's proposed paid sick leave rules in a comment letter to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Non-profit hospitals in Chicago provide approximately $1.81 billion in community benefits a year, with $221 million for education, $220 million for charity care and $120 million for research.
The 41 hospitals in Chicago handle 368,581 inpatient admissions and 7.4 million outpatient visits in a year. Together they have an economic impact of $26.5 billion and provide 139,462 jobs.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed $8.58 billion budget for FY2018 did not raise general citywide taxes or fees but included an increase on 9-1-1 fees on wireless and landline connections.
IHA is tracking proposed Chicago City Council ordinances, including pharmacy work rules, workweek mandates impacting hospital scheduling and Cook County Medical Examiner fee increases.
In a comment letter to the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, IHA outlines how the county's earned sick leave ordinance would impact hospitals and healthcare workers.
More than 80 municipalities have opted out of Cook County ordinances mandating paid sick leave and a $10-an-hour minimum wage. See a list of these municipalities.
The 73 hospitals in Cook County handle 720,951 inpatient admissions and 15.6 million outpatient visits in a year. They have a combined economic impact of $46 billion and provide 250,161 jobs.
Non-profit hospitals in Cook County provide $3 billion in community benefits a year. Of that amount, $371 million is for education, $341 million is for charity care and $130 million is for research.
IHA's Local Advocacy Agenda covers the key policy issues common to communities across Illinois: access to care and coverage, adequate healthcare funding, and support for hospitals to address community needs.