IHA Healthcare News

Get the healthcare news you need to stay on top of legislative proposals, industry trends and local issues. This section has news articles, IHA's Daily Briefing, IHA press releases and our Member News Spotlight. You can sort by category.

Featured News

State Unprepared for Economic Downturn, Report Says

Illinois is one of a handful of states in the U.S. where lawmakers have failed to prepare for the next economic downturn, according to a 50-state study. Illinois News Network

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State Unprepared for Economic Downturn, Report Says

News Articles

  • Dec 18, 2018
  • Press Release

The IPC Celebrates 65 Years of Keeping Illinois Safe

Nation's oldest poison center marks milestone anniversary.

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Warren Bill would get Feds into Generic Drug Manufacturing

Sen. Elizabeth Warren will release a bill that would effectively create a government-run pharmaceutical manufacturer to mass-produce generic drugs and bring down prices. Politico

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

U.S. Surgeon General Warns of Teen Risks from E-Cigarettes

The government’s top doctor is taking aim at the best-selling electronic cigarette brand, urging swift action to prevent Juul and similar vaping brands from addicting millions of teenagers. AP

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Sen. Cory Booker Calls for More Transparency in Medicaid Drug Decisions

Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., says he will introduce federal legislation this week that would require more transparency surrounding states' Medicaid drug decisions. NPR

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Health Care is Where the Jobs Are. But What Kind of Jobs?

More Americans are now employed in health care than in any other industry. Kaiser Health News

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Illinois Joins Obamacare Fight after Texas ACA Verdict

Illinois' governor-elect and attorney general-elect today [Monday] excoriated a Texas federal judge's Dec. 17 ruling that the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. Crain's Chicago Business

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

States ask Judge to Declare Health Law Still in Effect While Ruling is Appealed

California and 15 other states asked a federal judge to protect current health care coverage for millions of Americans while courts sort out the implications of his ruling. New York Times

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Republicans Got Their Health Care Wish. It Backfired.

For eight years, Republicans dreamed of repealing the Affordable Care Act. New York Times

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

Obamacare Ruling Seen as Both Troubling, Chance to Fix Health Care Law

A Texas judge's ruling that Obamacare is unconstitutional was zeroed out has some in Illinois sounding the alarm while others say it’s an opportunity to fix the broken law. Illinois News Network

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • Member News Spotlight

United CEO Munoz gets Personal as Northwestern Tops Heart Transplant Record

As Northwestern Memorial Hospital celebrated a record number of heart transplants this year, its most famous heart recipient took the stage to share his story. Chicago Sun-Times

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

How to Avoid Getting Sick at Winter Gatherings

Between the holidays and the winter weather, your children are likely to be in close company with lots of people over the next several weeks. Daily Herald

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  • Dec 18, 2018
  • News from the Web

$7.9 Million Settlement in Delnor Hospital Hostage Lawsuit

Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital nurse has received a $7.2 million settlement in her lawsuit against Kane County. Daily Herald

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Medical Officials Oppose Effort to Legalize Recreational Use of Marijuana

Debate on whether recreational use of marijuana should become legal in Illinois is shifting from candidates’ opinions to evidence of benefit and harm. State Journal-Register

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Federal Judge in Texas Strikes Down Obamacare

A federal judge struck down the Affordable Care Act, throwing a new round of uncertainty into the fate of the law just one day before the deadline to sign up for coverage for next year. The Hill

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Obamacare Ruling Poses New Problems for GOP

A federal judge’s ruling that the Obama health law is unconstitutional has landed like a stink bomb among Republicans. Washington Times

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Five Takeaways from the Court Decision Striking Down Obamacare

U.S. District Court Judge Reed O'Connor's decision shockwaves through the country and health-care industry after he ruled in favor of a challenge from 20 GOP-led states. The Hill

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Dr. Marc Siegel: Obamacare is Here for Now, but Needs to Become More Effective to Survive

In most places across the U.S., Saturday was the last day of the year for signing up for ObamaCare, which provides health insurance to millions of Americans. Fox News Opinion

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Assisted Living's Breakneck Growth Leaves Patient Safety Behind

They found Bonnie Walker’s body floating in a pond behind her assisted living facility in South Carolina. Kaiser Health News

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Audit Reveals $1.6 Billion in Medicaid Payments Still Uncollected

Medicaid paid out a stunning $2.6 billion over five years in payments it agrees were bogus and should be clawed back from the states but $1.6 billion of it remains uncollected. Washington Post

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Virtual Health Care Spares Doctor's Visits - and Awkwardness

Good news for obsessive symptom Googlers: There’s a new form of quick, cheap health care no trip to the doctor required. Wired

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • News from the Web

Mercy Hospital Shooting Victims Remembered with Vigil

Amid sounds of grief, first responders and medical professionals gathered on Saturday for those killed last month in the shooting at Mercy Hospital on the city's Near South Side. ABC 7 TV

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • Member News Spotlight

Springfield Hospitals, Health Dept. to Focus on Infant Mortality, Access to Care

HSHS St. John’s Hospital and Memorial Medical Center will work together on projects to reduce accidental suffocation of infants in Sangamon County and expand health care and social services.

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • Member News Spotlight

When Tax Forms Don't Tell the Whole Story of Community Benefits

Her inhaler was always nearby in case she had an asthma attack, resting by her pillow every night. Modern Healthcare

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • Press Release

IHA Statement on Texas District Court Ruling on the ACA

Illinois hospitals and health systems are extremely deeply disappointed by the district court's decision. This ruling threatens access to healthcare coverage for one million Illinoisans.

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  • Dec 17, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 17

Judge Rules Against ACA, but Law Stays in Place

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Illinois Dept. of Insurance encourages consumers to enroll in a health plan by Saturday

Open Enrollment for the 2019 plan year ends this Saturday, Dec. 15, and the Illinois Dept. of Insurance is strongly urging consumers to shop and enroll in a health plan.

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Lawsuit Targets Illinois’ Child Welfare Agency Over Children Languishing in Psychiatric Hospitals

The Acting Cook County Public Guardian filed a class-action lawsuit Thursday on behalf of hundreds of children and teenagers in state care. Pro Publica

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

How a new governor, J.B. Pritzker, can go to bat for the mentally ill right away

In his first few weeks as governor, J.B. Pritzker will have to take a swing at a lot of tough pitches, but one important issue looks to us like an easy fastball. Chicago Sun-Times Opinion

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

CBO’s big ideas for shrinking the deficit

The Congressional Budget Office on Thursday published its annual compendium of options for shrinking the massive federal deficit. Politico

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Health Insurance Costs Crushing Many People Who Don’t Get Federal Subsidies

Like millions of Americans in this final week of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act marketplaces, Diane McCabe is shopping for health insurance. Kaiser Health News

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Court: Trump Can't Let Companies Deny Birth Control Coverage

A divided U.S. appeals court Thursday blocked rules by the Trump administration that allowed more employers to opt out of providing women with no-cost birth control. Associated Press

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

New behavioral hospital opens in New Lenox to meet needs of those struggling

Former Bears quarterback and Super Bowl XX champion Jim McMahon has been open about his struggles with depression and early onset dementia since his playing days. Herald News

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Hospital releases community health assessment needs

Taylorville Memorial Hospital released their plan to better address community health issues. WAND TV

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Chicago hospitals team up to help entry-level workers advance careers

Chicago hospitals are teaming up to help employees in non-clinical, entry-level positions advance their careers. Crain's Chicago Business

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

House, Senate pass maternal mortality prevention legislation

The House and Senate have passed legislation providing funding for state committees to investigate maternal deaths and to share the information nationwide. Health Data Management

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Senate Democrats Introduce Bill to Allow Government to Block Drug Price Rises

Four Democratic U.S. senators introduced a bill on Thursday that would allow the government to block drug price increases that it decides are unjustified. Reuters

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Gun deaths in US reach highest level in nearly 40 years

Gun deaths in America have reached a record high. CNN

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Chicago bomb threats part of ‘rampant hoax’ nationwide, police say

Chicago police said bomb threats made locally Thursday are part of a similar pattern of threats being made across the country. WGN TV

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • News from the Web

Take Care: The Affordable Care Act In 2018

The deadline to enroll in health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) for 2019 is December 15. NPR

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  • Dec 14, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 14

Health Insurance Exchange Open Enrollment Ends Dec. 15

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Rauner Urges Pritzker to Continue Fight Against Medicaid Fraud

Gov. Bruce Rauner is urging the incoming administration to continue his work in rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in the state’s Medicaid system. Illinois News Network

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Record Count Reported for Mysterious Paralyzing Illness

This year has seen a record number of cases of a mysterious paralyzing illness in children, U.S. health officials said Monday. Associated Press

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Fentanyl is the Deadliest Drug in America, CDC Confirms

Fentanyl is now the most commonly used drug involved in drug overdoses, according to a new government report. CNN

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Value-Based Pricing and Reimbursement: Still More Promise than Reality

Value in healthcare is measured in terms of the patient outcomes achieved per dollars spent. Forbes Opinion

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Patients Discharged from Hospital at the Holidays Face Higher Risk of Death, Study Finds

Nobody wants to spend the holidays in the hospital. CBS News

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

For the Asking, a Check is in the Mail to Help Pay for Costly Drugs

Kip Burgess was relieved last year when pharmaceutical giant Amgen overnighted him a $2,976 check to help pay for his go-to arthritis drug, Enbrel. Kaiser Health News

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Obamacare Sign-ups Lagging as Saturday Deadline Approaches

Health insurance sign-ups for the Affordable Care Act are down with just a few days left to enroll. Chicago Tribune

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

Dems Aim to Punt Vote on Obamacare Taxes

Health-care companies are making a last-minute push to delay ObamaCare taxes as part of a year-end government funding deal. The Hill

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • News from the Web

As ACOs Face Change, Group Touts $2.7B Medicare Savings

A widely used effort to move Medicare away from fee-for-service medicine saved nearly $2.7 billion from 2013 through 2016, a new study indicates. Forbes

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • Member News Spotlight

Vincent Lyles Heads to Advocate Aurora Health

Former Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee president Vincent Lyles was named vice president of community relations at Advocate Aurora Health Care. Milwaukee Business Journal

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  • Dec 13, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 13

IHA Hosts Cook County Board Reception

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Mental Health Care Advocates Push Lawmakers for More Money

The picture from mental health advocates is grim: More than half the people in Illinois who need mental health services don't get it. Illinois News Network

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Making Connections to Help Kids with Mental Health Issues

An Illinois group says it has found a way to improve the handling of mental health issues in children. NPR Illinois

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

House Passes Bipartisan Bill Aimed at Reversing Rising Maternal Mortality Rates

The House passed a bipartisan bill aimed at reversing the maternal mortality crisis in the U.S. in what supporters say is the strongest action yet that Congress has taken on the issue. The Hill

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

House Passes Bill to Keep Drug Companies from Overcharging Medicaid

The Grassley and Wyden bill would give the HHS new authority to reclassify a drug and recoup rebates when a manufacturer deliberately misclassifies a drug in order to pay lower rebates. The Hill

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Cocaine Deaths Increase Amid Ongoing National Opioid Crisis

Deaths from cocaine sharply increased from 2011 to 2016 across the United States, adding another dimension to a crisis of fatal overdoses that has primarily been driven by opioids. Washington Post

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Vitamin Treatment for Sepsis is Put to the Test

Dr. Jonathan Sevransky was intrigued when he heard that a well-known physician in Virginia had reported remarkable results from a simple treatment for sepsis. NPR

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

We're Fighting for Our Lives: Patients Protest Sky-High Insulin Prices

After 18 years living with diabetes, Lautner now says the hardest thing about the diagnosis is accessing insulin the expensive drug she needs to keep her alive. Kaiser Health News

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Study: 4.2 Million Uninsured People Eligible for Free Obamacare Coverage

A new analysis from the Kaiser Family Foundation finds that 4.2 million uninsured people are eligible for ObamaCare coverage at no cost at all. The Hill

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Obamacare Signups Spike on Same Day Obama Tweeted Support

The ObamaCare signup website healthcare.gov received its highest traffic on Monday, the same day former President Obama recorded a message urging people to sign up. The Hill

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

61% of Americans are Worried about Rising Health Care Premiums

Rising health insurance premiums is a concern among a majority of Americans. Fortune

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Why Doesn't Bloomington-Normal Have a Level 1 Trauma Center?

Bloomington-Normal has a lot of things that would make other communities jealous. WGLT

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

'I Think People are Sadly Used to it Now': Northwestern University Grapples with Suicides

Alarmed by the suicides of four students this year, Northwestern University is boosting staff at the campus’ main counseling center. Chicago Tribune

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Arthritis at 30? Youth Sports Injuries can turn into Chronic Problems, Doctors Warn

Leo Anderson was in the middle of a baseball game when he threw a ball he had just caught, heard a crunch in his elbow and fell to the ground. Chicago Tribune

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • Member News Spotlight

Elmhurst Hospital Honored for 'Person-Centered' Care

Elmhurst Hospital has been awarded a Gold Certification for Excellence in Person-Centered Care by Planetree International. Daily Herald

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

Mayor Rahm Emanuel to Call for Marijuana Legalization, Casino to Pay for Pensions

Mayor Emanuel will call for state lawmakers to legalize marijuana, allow a casino and approve a state constitutional amendment to help the city address a looming pension crisis. Chicago Tribune

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • News from the Web

County Board to Take on Taxes, Toilets at Wednesday Meeting

The Cook County Board of Commissioners will plunge into two driving issues in the race for governor: taxes and toilets. Chicago Sun-Times

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  • Dec 12, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 12

CMS Addresses Marketplace Call Volume Concerns

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  • Dec 11, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 11

1115 Waiver Hospital Crisis Services Webinars

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  • Dec 10, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 10

MedPAC Recommends 2020 Medicare Payment Updates

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  • Dec 07, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 7

Public Charge Proposed Rule - Comments Due Monday

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  • Dec 06, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 6

IHA Presents to Hospital Transformation Committee

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  • Dec 05, 2018
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Dec. 5

AHA Lawsuit Challenges Site-Neutral Payment Policies

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  • Nov 20, 2018
  • Press Release

Tragic Event at Mercy Hospital & Medical Center in Chicago

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association expresses our condolences to the family and friends of the victims.

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  • Nov 19, 2018
  • Press Release

Illinois Poison Center Warns About "Silent Killer" in Homes

The Illinois Poison Center notes an increase in carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter.

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  • Oct 17, 2018
  • Press Release

Sarah Macchiarola Named IHA Vice President, Federal Government Relations

Sarah Macchiarola will join the Illinois Health and Hospital Association as its Vice President, Federal Government Relations, effective Nov. 29.

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  • Oct 01, 2018
  • Press Release

IPC Warns of Dangers from Fall Mushrooms

The Illinois Poison Center strongly advises mushroom foragers to take caution when consuming any wild mushroom for any purpose, especially since many mushrooms can be misidentified.

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  • Sep 25, 2018
  • Press Release

IHA Honors Illinois Hospitals and Health Systems for Quality Improvement Initiatives

The 8th Annual IHA Quality Excellence Achievement Awards were presented to leaders from two health systems and three hospitals during the IHA Leadership Summit on Sept. 25 in Lombard.

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  • Sep 20, 2018
  • Press Release

Statement from A.J. Wilhelmi Re: Illinois Supreme Court Ruling in Oswald v. Beard

We are pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the state’s hospital property tax exemption law.

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  • Jul 16, 2018
  • Press Release

Luis Andrade Joins IHA's Government Relations Team

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.

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  • Jun 21, 2018
  • Press Release

Statement from A.J. Wilhelmi: Federal Approval of Redesigned Hospital Assessment Program

Statement from A.J. Wilhelmi, President & CEO

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  • Jun 06, 2018
  • Press Release

MAPS PSO Presents Patient Safety Champion Award

The Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) Patient Safety Organization (PSO) awarded Valerie Skroch of Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers with the MAPS PSO Patient Safety Champion award.

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  • Apr 25, 2018
  • Press Release

IHA Statement re: Amendment to House Bill 5245 (SANEs)

IHA opposes amendment to HB5245 that does not include key suggestions from the hospital community.

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  • Apr 04, 2018
  • Press Release

Illinois Hospital Leaders Showcase Quality Improvement Initiatives at the State Capitol

Over 90 Illinois hospitals and health systems displayed their efforts to improve quality care and patient safety while decreasing costs during IHA’s 3rd annual Quality Advocacy Showcase on April 12.

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  • Mar 27, 2018
  • Press Release

$95.3 Billion: The State Economic Impact of Illinois Hospitals and Health Systems

Illinois’ more than 200 hospitals and nearly 50 health systems generate a total impact of $95.3 billion annually on the state’s economy, according to an IHA report.

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  • Feb 28, 2018
  • Press Release

Illinois Poison Prevention Month

Educate yourself with the Illinois Poison Center during Illinois Poison Prevention Month

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  • Feb 28, 2018
  • Press Release

IHA Statement re: General Assembly Votes on Hospital Assessment Program

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association commends the General for overwhelmingly approving Senate Bills 1773 and 1573.

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  • Jan 17, 2018
  • Press Release

IHA Recognizes Illinois Hospitals and Health Systems for IHA Innovation Challenge

Because of three exceptional Illinois Health and Hospital members, patients in Illinois are benefiting from reduced Clostridium difficile infection rates.

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  • Jan 08, 2018
  • Press Release

Camphor Products: A Cause for Concern

Nation's oldest poison center urges parents to be careful when storing products in their medicine cabinet

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  • Jan 03, 2018
  • Press Release

Illinois Health and Hospital Association Elects New Board

IHA is pleased to announce its newly elected 2018 Board of Trustees.

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  • Sep 21, 2017
  • Press Release

Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson ACA Repeal Proposal

Statement from A.J. Wilhelmi, President & CEO, Illinois Health and Hospital Association

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