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

What we know so far about the coronavirus in Illinois

Even as a Chicago woman and her husband have been released from the hospital, the total number of people tested for the virus in the state grows to over 50. Chicago Tribune

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What we know so far about the coronavirus in Illinois

News Articles

  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Bill introduced wants to enforce CDC vaccine schedule in Illinois, remove religious exemptions

An Illinois lawmaker introduced a bill to prevent parents from obtaining a religious exemption to medical vaccinations and require nearly all school children to follow the CDC schedule. WREX TV

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Ortiz Introduces Measure Pushing for ‘Medicaid for All’

State Rep. Aaron Ortiz, Chicago is laying the groundwork for a state healthcare for all program, introducing legislation to study the feasibility of creating a Medicaid buy-in program. Lawndale News

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Surprise billing may be about to get worse

The problem of surprise medical billing which Congress failed to solve last year is about to get worse due to a feud between an insurance giant and a company that employs thousands of doctors. Axios

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

AP-NORC poll: More Americans worry about flu than new virus

A wide share of Americans are at least moderately confident in officials’ ability to handle emerging viruses - more express concern about catching the flu than catching coronavirus. Associated Press

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Rural Farmers Face High Suicide Rates and Decreasing Access to Mental Health Care

With farmers facing increasing stress and depression, Midwest states and national farm groups are making more efforts to better provide services to alleviate the high rate of suicide. In These Times

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Trump’s Medicaid Chief Labels Medicaid ‘Mediocre.’ Is It?

The Trump administration’s top Medicaid official has been increasingly critical of the entitlement program she has overseen for three years. Kaiser Health News

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Primary Care Dementia Screening Does Not Increase Depression or Anxiety

Screening for Alzheimer disease and related dementias in the primary care setting doesn't harm patients as measured by prevalence of depression and anxiety, research shows. Healthleaders Media

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Gloves Come Off in Democratic Debate Over Medicare for All

Health care and Medicare for All took center stage at the Democratic debate in Las Vegas on Wednesday, and the debate got nasty fast. WTTW TV Chicago Tonight

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • IL Hospitals Doing More

Lincoln Land, Memorial Health System announce plans to address nursing shortage

Officials from Lincoln Land Community College and Memorial Health System announced a nursing education partnership Thursday to address the regional nursing shortage. State Journal-Register

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • Member News Spotlight

'World's smallest pacemaker' implanted at BroMenn in Normal

When Sherm Wilkerson found out he was the first person to have "the world's smallest pacemaker" implanted in Bloomington-Normal, his heart didn't skip a beat. Pantagraph

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  • Feb 21, 2020
  • News from the Web

Lightfoot not convinced universal basic income can help end poverty

Lori Lightfoot is committed to ending poverty within a generation but she isn’t convinced universal basic income will do that. Chicago Sun-Times

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Pritzker budget would hike spending, amount hinges on voters

Gov. JB Pritzker proposed a $40.7 billion state budget and dangled the prospect of a $1.4 billion revenue boost if voters approve a radical income-tax overhaul. Associated Press

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Pritzker makes pitch for graduated income tax

Pritzker used his second budget speech to promise more money for education, child welfare, public safety while adding a very big “but” to his list of priorities for next year. State Journal-Register

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Local lawmakers react to Gov. Pritzker’s budget address

Springfield-area lawmakers had partisan reactions to Gov. JB Pritzker’s fiscal year 2021 budget address Wednesday. State Journal-Register

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

National shortage of forensic nurses frustrates rape victims

The young woman who walked into an emergency room in Milwaukee began her journey about 12 hours earlier, at a Chicago-area hospital, more than 90 miles away. Associated Press

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

China Lab Says Conspiracy Theories Hurting Efforts to Curb Virus

An outbreak of disinformation has hurt global efforts to combat the new coronavirus, said a specialist infectious disease lab located at the epicenter of the epidemic. Reuters

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

CVS Subpoenaed by U.S. on Pharmacies’ Role in Opioid Crisis

CVS Health Corp. said it received a subpoena on behalf of the U.S. DEA asking the company for information about its handling of opioids and other controlled substances. Bloomberg News

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

It's Not Just Hospitals That Are Quick To Sue Patients Who Can't Pay

Nashville General Hospital is a safety net facility funded by the city. NPR

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Obamacare A Disgrace? Biden Highlights Bloomberg’s Negative Remarks About The ACA

Sparring over healthcare during the Democratic presidential primary debate, former Vice President Joe Biden took issue with former NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s record on the ACA. Kaiser Health News

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Mayor Lightfoot hosting Chicago poverty summit: ‘We’re no longer going to look the other way’

Seeking to bring attention to deeply entrenched poverty in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot is hosting a daylong summit on Thursday to help address one of the city’s chronic issues. Chicago Tribune

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

Charity care study highlights inherent challenge of safety-net hospitals, Sinai CEO says

A new study showing that highest-earning nonprofit hospitals give less charity care than lower-earning ones shows the challenges hospitals face in serving vulnerable patients. Becker’s Healthcare

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  • Feb 20, 2020
  • News from the Web

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 20

HFS Notice on Temporary Medicaid Medical Cards

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 20
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 19

Gov. Pritzker Introduces FY 2021 State Budget Proposal

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 19
  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

Illinois Democrats, Republicans lay out what they want to hear in Pritzker's budget address

Illinois taxpayers will find out how Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to balance the state's budget on Wednesday. The Center Square

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

Coronavirus might disrupt supply of ‘critical medical products’ FDA warns

FDA has pulled inspectors from China amid the rapidly-spreading coronavirus and has warned Americans might face shortages of “critical medical products” if the outbreak persists. USA Today

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

Why Treat People Exposed to Virus in Omaha? Why Not?

Of all places, why are 13 people potentially exposed to a viral outbreak being treated and observed in Omaha, Nebraska? Associated Press

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

75,000 ill, 2,000 deaths, many thousands recovered: Can you get coronavirus twice?

The number of confirmed cases in the coronavirus outbreak racing across China and seeping around the globe rolled past 75,000 on Wednesday; many thousands more have recovered. USA Today

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

The Health System We’d Have if Economists Ran Things

Imagine if American health policy were established by the consensus of health economists. New York Times

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

Labor's civil war over 'Medicare for All' threatens its 2020 clout

"Medicare for All" is roiling labor unions across the country, threatening to divide a critical part of the Democratic base ahead of several major presidential primaries. Politico

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  • Feb 19, 2020
  • News from the Web

Blagojevich is out of prison, back home; ex-Naperville hospital CEO calls commutation 'appalling'

Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich is out of federal prison after President Trump on Tuesday commuted his sentence, telling reporters the 14-year prison term was ridiculous. Daily Herald

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Pritzker plans $147 million boost for DCFS in second-year budget

J.B. Pritzker’s second-year budget will include a $147 million increase in funding for DCFS to boost staffing and increase support for investigations. Chicago Sun-Times

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Black women in Illinois are 6 times more likely to die during childbirth, study says

Health risks that come with being pregnant are amplified for black women, including the number of women who die during childbirth. WTVO

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Chicago couple treated for coronavirus released from isolation

Chicago woman and her husband, who became the US' first person-to-person transmission of the new virus from China, have been released from home isolation, health officials said.  Associated Press

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

US Prepares for Second Wave of Flu as Coronavirus Fears Rise

US health officials are preparing for a second wave of the winter flu, complicated by similarities between flu symptoms and those of the coronavirus that has killed more than 1500 in China. VOA News

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Nonprofit hospitals with healthiest finances offer little charity care

Nonprofit hospitals with the highest net incomes tend to devote the smallest proportion of earnings to providing free care to uninsured and low-income people who struggle to pay bills. Reuters

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

New Data on Sepsis Prevalence and Costs 'Astonished' DHHS Researchers

The largest sepsis study every conducted with Medicare data found a 40% increase in the rate of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with the deadly infection from 2012 to 2018. Healthleaders Media

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

‘We can’t afford healthcare’: US hospital workers fight for higher wages

Hospital and healthcare workers across the US are launching union drives and organizing protests to win higher wages and better working conditions, saying their industry exploits them. The Guardian

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

As Biden Sinks, Bloomberg Becomes Obamacare Protector

The sinking political fortunes of former VP Joe Biden after poor performances in early Democratic presidential nominating contests is focusing more attention on Mike Bloomberg's health plan. Forbes

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Efforts to improve rural broadband grow in Illinois

Bringing broadband internet to rural communities throughout Illinois is getting some attention from leaders both in Springfield and Washington. WSIL TV

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • Member News Spotlight

Health care partnerships viewed as a strategy for success for smaller rural hospitals, providers

One path that has proved successful for independent facilities is to explore partnerships with other healthcare providers, according to the CEO of Perry Memorial Hospital. Belleville News Democrat

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

HEALTH MATTERS: Who’s who on your health care team, part one

If you’ve visited a medical establishment recently you may have noticed the large number and diverse types of personnel involved in the care process. State Journal-Register

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Chicago to Begin Testing Patients with Flu-Like Symptoms for Coronavirus

Chicago is among five U.S. cities that will test patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms for the novel coronavirus, now officially called COVID-19, according to the CDC. WTTW TV

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Keep the Cook County Health board independent

On Feb. 26 the Cook County Board of Commissioners will consider legislation to shift significant control of Cook County Health to the County Board of Commissioners. Crain’s Chicago Business Opinion

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Mayor Lori Lightfoot calls on well-heeled City Club of Chicago audience to help fight poverty

Mayor Lori Lightfoot challenged a crowd of well-heeled businessmen and civic leaders downtown to join her administration in addressing Chicago’s deeply entrenched poverty. Chicago Tribune

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • News from the Web

Black Families Came to Chicago by the Thousands. Why Are They Leaving?

Hardis White, 78, could hardly wait to break out of suburbia. New York Times

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  • Feb 18, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 18

Support IHA/ANA-IL Nurse Staffing Initiative

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 18
  • Feb 14, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 14

IHH Comments Due to IHA Feb. 19

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 14
  • Feb 13, 2020
  • IL Hospitals Doing More

DuPage awards $100,000 to nonprofit groups to help fight the opioid epidemic

As DuPage County faces a high rate of opioid overdoses, a task force will award grants for nonprofit groups to expand access to addiction treatment for uninsured or low-income patients. Daily Herald

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  • Feb 13, 2020
  • IL Hospitals Doing More

Park renovation plan nearing goal

Three-quarters of the $100,000 needed to add, repair and expand playground equipment at a public park in a disadvantaged Jacksonville neighborhood has been raised. Journal Courier

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  • Feb 13, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 13

House Committees Pass Surprise Billing Legislation

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 13
  • Feb 12, 2020
  • IL Hospitals Doing More

City Club of Chicago – Urban Healthcare: Challenges and Solutions

Karen Teitelbaum is the President/CEO at Sinai Health System, an urban, teaching healthcare system comprised of four hospitals, over 800 medical staff members and 3,600 employees. WGN Radio

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  • Feb 12, 2020
  • IL Hospitals Doing More

Depression affects 1 in 5 pregnant/postpartum women. A Northwestern program is tackling the issue.

Jenny Mason-Frey had experienced panic attacks before sudden waves of anxiety that set her heart racing, her head spinning and made her feel as if she was going to die. Chicago Tribune

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  • Feb 12, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 12

Illinois First State to Test for Coronavirus

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 12
  • Feb 11, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 11

Coronavirus Disease Has a Name: COVID-19

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 11
  • Feb 10, 2020
  • Daily Briefing

IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 10

President Trump Releases 2021 Budget Proposal

Read More About IHA Daily Briefing: Feb. 10
  • Jan 02, 2020
  • Press Release

Illinois Health and Hospital Association Elects New Board

IHA is pleased to announce its newly elected 2020 Board of Trustees. Board officers serve a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

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  • Dec 20, 2019
  • News from the Web

Pritzker Administration Behind On Hiring Spree To Tackle Medicaid Application Backlog

Democratic Gov. Pritzker’s administration is lagging behind on a promised hiring spree to help tackle Illinois’ backlog of applications for the government-run Medicaid health insurance program. WBEZ

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  • Dec 16, 2019
  • Press Release

Holiday Plants Are Not on the Menu

The Illinois Poison Center--the nation's oldest poison center--warns of gastrointestinal distress from three common holiday plants.

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  • Nov 18, 2019
  • Press Release

Illinois’ Rural Hospitals Celebrate National Rural Health Day

Over 1.4 million Illinoisans live in rural regions and rely on their local hospital as a vital—and often only—source of care. IHA and ICAHN are proud to recognize National Rural Health Day on Nov. 21.

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  • Nov 15, 2019
  • News from the Web

Bill to cap insulin costs passed by Illinois Senate, heads to governor's desk

The Illinois Senate passed a bill Thursday afternoon that would cap the cost of insulin in the state. WIFR

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  • Nov 04, 2019
  • Press Release

MAPS PSO Presents Patient Safety Champion Award to a Rush Copley Medical Center Employee

MAPS PSO awarded Suzanne Khoury, a senior medical technologist at Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora, with the MAPS PSO Patient Safety Champion award for preventing patient harm.

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  • Oct 07, 2019
  • Press Release

Is That a Mouse In Your House?

Nation’s oldest poison center offers rodent removal and prevention safety tips

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  • Sep 26, 2019
  • Press Release

IHA Honors Illinois Hospitals and Health Systems for Quality Initiatives with Significant Impact

Hospitals and health systems in Illinois devote significant resources to advancing patient care and safety. IHA recognizes those dedicated efforts through its Quality Excellence Achievement Awards.

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  • Aug 07, 2019
  • News from the Web

Doctors Argue Plans To Remedy Surprise Medical Bills Will ‘Shred’ The Safety Net

Chances are, you or someone you know has gotten a surprise medical bill. Kaiser Health News

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  • Aug 06, 2019
  • News from the Web

Medicaid managed care reforms signed into law

Gov. Pritzker said people applying for Medicaid benefits in Illinois will see those applications processed more quickly and healthcare providers will be paid more promptly. Capitol News Illinois

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  • May 01, 2019
  • Press Release

Illinois Hospital Leaders Urge Legislative Action on Needed Medicaid Managed Care Reforms

Hospital and health system leaders from across Illinois are urging the General Assembly to pass legislation on needed reforms to the state’s Medicaid managed care program before it adjourns May 31.

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  • Apr 04, 2019
  • Press Release

Illinois Hospital Leaders to Showcase Quality Improvement Initiatives at the State Capitol

4th Annual IHA Quality Advocacy Showcase on April 3 highlights statewide efforts to advance patient care, improve communities and reduce costs.

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  • Feb 28, 2019
  • Press Release

March is Illinois Poison Prevention Month

This week, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) kicks off Illinois Poison Prevention Month, which serves as a timely reminder of the substantial harm poisoning can cause to people of all ages.

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  • Feb 21, 2019
  • Press Release

IHA Innovation Challenge: Partners in Progress Award Presented

Patients in Illinois are benefiting from reduced sepsis infection rates and enhancements in antimicrobial stewardship due to the efforts of two exceptional IHA members.

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  • Feb 15, 2019
  • Press Release

Comprehensive Medicaid Managed Care Reform Legislation Will Strengthen Illinois Medicaid Program

A comprehensive legislative package of Medicaid managed care reform bills strongly backed by the IHA and the hospital community has been introduced in the General Assembly.

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  • Feb 15, 2019
  • Press Release

Karen Harris Named IHA Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Karen Harris will join the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective March 1.

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  • Jan 28, 2019
  • Press Release

IHA's Longest Serving Employee Retires

On Jan. 31, IHA will lose its longest serving employee.

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  • Jan 02, 2019
  • Press Release

IHA Elects New Board

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association is pleased to announce its newly elected 2019 Board of Trustees.

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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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