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.
The Illinois Senate unanimously approved a plan Thursday night to help address the shortage of firefighters and EMTs. WAND
Rural America has been losing grocery stores for decades. Fewer people are living in the countryside, and mom and pop markets aren't able to compete. But there are efforts to find a solution. WUIS
An outbreak of acute severe, unexplained hepatitis in previously healthy children in 2022 may be linked to adeno-associated virus 2, or AAV2, according to three independent studies. CNN
Researchers estimate 15 million people will lose their Medicaid starting Apr. 1 when states begin removing people from the low-income health insurance program for the first time in three years. WSIU
Uber Health is launching a same-day prescription delivery service that allows health systems and health plans to give patients direct access to their medications. Becker's Hospital Review
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Health officials are sounding increasingly urgent alarms about the need for powerful new drugs to treat increasingly resistant infections. NBC News
As more drugs slip into shortage, rural hospitals could lose their failsafes as the healthcare industry grapples with dozens of inaccessible medications. Becker's Hospital Review
The agency is planning for a annual COVID booster campaign starting in the fall — with vaccines that will have been updated to target whichever variant is expected to be circulating next winter. NPR
National telehealth utilization declined by 79 percent from 2020 to 2021, according to Fair Health's Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker. Becker's Hospital Review
A heart attack is six times more likely in the week after a person is diagnosed with flu than in the year before or after, according to Dutch researchers. UPI
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U.S. House Hearing on Healthcare Transparency, Competition
Hospital finances are starting to stabilize as razor-thin margins become the new normal, according to Kaufman Hall's latest "National Flash Hospital Report." Becker's Hospital Review
A new study of 4.8 million pediatric hospitalizations between 2009 and 2019 found that the number of acute care hospitalizations for kids with mental health problems increased significantly. UPI
The International Council of Nurses has declared nurse shortages to be a global health emergency, with 13 million nurses needing to be replaced globally in the coming years. Becker's Hospital Review
Four drugs listed as products with the greatest risk of supply disruption and vulnerability after a U.S. drugmaker closed in February are on back order. Becker's Hospital Review
The Food and Drug Administration is eyeing policy changes that could make drugmakers conduct more stringent trials to win fast-track approvals of cancer drugs. AXIOS
Two new studies find that adding immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy lengthens the time before tumors return. NBC News
The Health Sector Cybersecurity Coordination Center released a brief March 23 on how healthcare organizations can ensure mobile device security. Becker's Hospital Review
Healthcare Merger Bill Approved by IL House Lawmakers
The Illinois House approved a bill Thursday night to require all insurance companies to provide coverage for medically-necessary hearing aids. WAND
For every $1 hospitals spend on Medicare patients, the government pays only 84 cents, research from the American Hospital Association found. Becker's Hospital Review
A grant from the South Side Healthy Community Organization has partnered with Trek World to give residents free services that aim to increase the quality of life of South Siders. Chicago Sun-Times
The Illinois House voted on a plan Friday to address the shortage of health care workers in hospitals and other health care facilities across the state. WAND
More than 2,300 Latino Chicagoans have died from COVID-19 since March 2020, according to data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. WTTW
Asian Americans' psychological state over the last few years has been one of hypervigilance and pretending — constantly having to act as if everything is "business as usual". AXIOS
Experts attributed the change to improved screening and autism services for all kids, and to increased awareness and advocacy for Black and Hispanic families. NBC News
Public health workers will soon have a new tool at their disposal to thwart a spreading danger to users of illicit drugs: xylazine test strips. STAT News
Bill Advances to Help Healthcare Staffing Post-PHE
At the three-year anniversary of COVID shutting down Illinois, the pandemic has ebbed, but Chicago area hospitals are struggling to cope with the vastly altered health care world. Chicago Sun-Times
HFS Urges Provider Use of ‘Ready to Renew’ Toolkit
Senate Cmt. Considers IHA Bill on Violence Against HCWs
IHA Webinar: Helping Patients Control Hypertension
MAPS PSO Releases Patient Safety White Paper
Register: IHA Webinars on Chronic Conditions in April
For 70 years, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) has provided vital information and resources to families to help reduce the threat of poisoning and save lives.
IHA joined leading business, healthcare and technology groups at a Springfield press conference, urging the Illinois General Assembly to enact reforms to the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act.
The following statement can be attributed to A.J. Wilhelmi, President and CEO of IHA, in response to Gov. JB Pritzker’s 2023 State of the State and Budget Address.
Gerald "J.P." Gallagher, President and Chief Executive Officer, NorthShore -- Edward-Elmhurst Health, has been elected Chair of the Board of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association for 2023.
Thomas Shanley, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, has been elected to the Board of Trustees.
Tracy Bauer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Midwest Medical Center, Galena, has been elected to the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.
Children ages 5 and younger are accidentally ingesting cannabis edibles at an alarming rate, according to a new study recently published in Pediatrics.
The Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) Patient Safety Organization (PSO) announced the recipients of two MAPS PSO Patient Safety Champion awards.
In recognition of National Rural Health Day on Nov. 17, IHA and ICAHN are celebrating Illinois' rural hospital community for their tireless efforts to provide high quality care.
IHA President & CEO A.J. Wilhelmi and ICHAN Executive Director Pat Schou recognize Illinois' 86 small and rural hospitals and the vital role they play within Illinois communities.
With cold weather on the horizon, Illinois Poison Center (IPC) wants to remind the public that heating your home to combat the icy temperatures also increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.
According to the Illinois Poison Center (IPC), accidential poisonings from Halloween candy is rare, but IPC manages cases each year involving dry ice, glow sticks and more.
Illinois House Majority Leader Greg Harris was presented the "Outstanding Leadership Award" last week at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association's (IHA) Leadership Summit.
Now that summer is in full swing, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) is warning the public to stay safe by avoiding recreational drugs, especially synthetic recreational drugs.
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association today kicked off the start of our Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting entitled “Inspiring Connections” at the Crowne Plaza Springfield.
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association will host our Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting, “Inspiring Connections,” on June 16-17 at the Crowne Plaza Springfield.
The Illinois Poison Center encourages Illinoisans to take precautions against poison exposures, including foodborne illness, while enjoying fun in the sun this summer.
IHA will host its second annual Health Equity Action Day, Accelerating Health Equity Across Illinois, on Friday, May 13 from 9-11:30 a.m.
Bestselling author and policy expert Heather McGhee will deliver the keynote address at IHA’s second annual Health Equity Action Day on May 13.
Ted Rogalski, Administrator, Genesis Medical Center, Aledo, became Chair of IHA's 2022 Board of Trustees on Jan. 1, 2022. The Board is the policymaking body for IHA.
The Illinois Poison Center has a warning for anyone who may purchase pills that were not prescribed by a doctor: Chances are, the drugs are counterfeit and you may be ingesting fentanyl.
IHA launched the Racial Equity in Healthcare Progress Report during IHA’s Health Equity Action Day on June 18. The report is a long-term tool to document progress toward racial health equity.
IHA Health Equity Action Day will be live streamed on June 18 at 9 a.m. Speakers include Michelle Silverthorn, founder of Inclusion Nation, Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
More than three years ago, a meeting with U.S. Senator Dick Durbin and the CEOs of 10 major hospitals in Chicago sparked the Chicago Hospital Engagement, Action, and Leadership (HEAL) Initiative.
The Illinois Poison Center's newly redesigned website provides easy access to reliable health and safety information for the public and healthcare providers.
In March, Illinois Poison Prevention Month, IPC encourages all Illinoisans to learn about the potential hazards lurking in homes, schools and workplaces.
The Coalition to Protect Telehealth announced support for a legislative proposal to protect Illinoisans’ access to the innovative telehealth services they have relied on during the COVID pandemic.
IHA and the Illinois hospital community want to thank Representative Greg Harris, Senator Heather Steans, and HFS Director Theresa Eagleson for their leadership in moving this legislation forward.
IHA congratulates State Representative Emanuel “Chris” Welch on his historic election as Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 102nd General Assembly.
IHA is pleased to announce its newly elected 2021 Board of Trustees. Board officers serve a one-year term beginning January 1, 2021.
Karen Teitelbaum, president and CEO, Sinai Chicago, is the chair of IHA's 2021 Board of Trustees as of Jan. 1, 2021. The Board of Trustees is the policymaking body for IHA.
Experts at the Illinois Poison Center are alerting the public to dangerous drug combinations that could interact poorly with HIV medication, or cause a rapid increase in blood pressure.
Illinois hospitals are working around the clock with Gov. Pritzker, IDPH, the entire state pandemic response team and local health depts. to ensure the vaccine is administered. We urge patience.
The state’s leading business and healthcare organizations are urging Illinoisans to safely celebrate the holidays and help slow the spread of the coronavirus by following all health guidelines.
IHA and our member hospitals and health systems commend Governor Pritzker for his exceptional leadership in this extraordinary time, including his action to mitigate the alarming surge in COVID-19.
MAPS PSO awarded the MAPS PSO Patient Safety Champion award to DuPage Medical Group in Downers Grove and gave an Honorable Mention to Pinckneyville Community Hospital.
With COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations surging, IHA has launched a new statewide campaign to communicate the importance of taking reasonable precautions to curb the spread of the deadly virus.
Jordan Powell joins IHA as Senior Vice President of Health Policy and Finance on Dec. 14. He will provide leadership on strategic policy, payment system, health equity and healthcare reform issues.
IHA urges Illinoisans to vote Yes on a proposed constitutional amendment for a graduated income tax.
The Coalition to Protect Our Telehealth, which includes IHA, urges the General Assembly to protect telehealth approaches so Illinoisans can access critically needed, affordable care beyond COVID-19.
Illinois hospitals of all shapes and sizes are the cornerstones of their communities and provide some of the highest quality healthcare in the world.
Carol DesLauriers, PharmD, DABAT, Assistant Vice President of the Illinois Poison Center (IPC), has been named president-elect of the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
A statement from IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi urges the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to allow emergency rules on face coverings to move forward to help ensure health and safety.
Eighty quality improvement projects from Illinois hospitals and health systems represent the dedicated efforts of healthcare professionals to advance quality care and enhance health and well-being.
A diverse coalition of business groups renewed calls for Illinoisans to wear face masks when in public to save lives and protect the state’s economy.
As Illinoisans venture outside for summer fun, the Illinois Poison Center (IPC) reminds you that some of the season’s most attractive plants can be harmful—or even deadly.
Communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, which has highlighted glaring health disparities. Illinois’ hospital community is engaged on this issue.
IHA, along with ANA, ISAPN and ISMS, submitted an amicus brief on April 29 in the legal case challenging Governor Pritzker's stay-at-home executive order.
The Illinois Poison Center (IPC) urges people to use caution with cleaning products, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IHA along with its 200 member hospitals and nearly 40 health systems called on all Illinois residents to help hospitals prevent a surge of COVID-19 patients.
IHA issued a plea to the construction industry, dentists, veterinarians and other groups that may be able to help Illinois’ more than 200 hospitals protect staff as they care for COVID-19 patients.
Illinois hospitals and health systems infuse more than $100 billion in state and local economies. They are the number one creator of jobs supporting working families.
MAPS PSO has released Patient Safety Focus: Top 10 Safety Issues for 2020, a white paper offering strategies to address some of healthcare’s top challenges.
IHA is pleased to announce its newly elected 2020 Board of Trustees. Board officers serve a one-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
The Illinois Poison Center--the nation's oldest poison center--warns of gastrointestinal distress from three common holiday plants.
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.
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.
Nation’s oldest poison center offers rodent removal and prevention safety tips
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.
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.
4th Annual IHA Quality Advocacy Showcase on April 3 highlights statewide efforts to advance patient care, improve communities and reduce costs.
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.
Patients in Illinois are benefiting from reduced sepsis infection rates and enhancements in antimicrobial stewardship due to the efforts of two exceptional IHA members.
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.
Karen Harris will join the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) as its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, effective March 1.
On Jan. 31, IHA will lose its longest serving employee.
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association is pleased to announce its newly elected 2019 Board of Trustees.
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.
The Illinois Poison Center notes an increase in carbon monoxide poisoning in the winter.
Sarah Macchiarola will join the Illinois Health and Hospital Association as its Vice President, Federal Government Relations, effective Nov. 29.
We are pleased that the Illinois Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the constitutionality of the state’s hospital property tax exemption law.
Statement from A.J. Wilhelmi, President & CEO
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.