IHA Daily Briefing: November 6

Cyber Alert: Immediately Review Internet-connected Refrigeration and Cold Chain Systems

Federal agencies, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, FBI, and the U.S. Depts. of Health and Human Services, Agriculture and Transportation, yesterday issued an alert warning of malicious cyber activity targeting industrial refrigeration and cold chain monitoring systems globally, including systems used by the healthcare sector.

The agencies warned that unpatched or internet-accessible refrigeration controllers may be exploited to remotely change temperature settings, activate extended defrost or heating cycles, cause inventory loss, generate equipment hazards, and interrupt temperature monitoring capabilities. The alert provides guidance and mitigations to respond to the threat. Organizations are encouraged to review the security of refrigeration, environmental control, building automation, and other operational technology systems that support critical functions, including storage of medications, vaccines, blood products, and laboratory specimens.

The American Hospital Association (AHA) earlier this week issued a Cybersecurity Advisory with information and guidance in response to this threat. While AHA continues to stress there is no indication of a campaign targeting U.S. hospitals through refrigeration systems, it noted media outlets have reported French authorities recently thwarted a cyberattack on several blood banks that tried to raise temperatures to extremely high levels.

RESOURCES: H.R. 1 Medicaid Resources Webpage, Fact Sheet

Provisions of H.R. 1, signed into law July 2025, are beginning to impact thousands of Illinoisans, with significantly broader impacts on the horizon. To help hospitals and health systems prepare for these changes and support patients who may be at risk of losing coverage, IHA launched a H.R. 1 Resources webpage, with information and resources to help hospitals understand the changes ahead, educate frontline staff, and prepare to assist patients who may be affected by the new Medicaid community engagement requirements.

Hospitals and health systems are strongly encouraged to begin preparing now. To assist with implementation and planning efforts, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently released a comprehensive roadmap of current and upcoming compliance dates, including both high-level and detailed timelines. The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services also has a Federal Resource Center webpage that includes webinar recordings, communication toolkits, and much more. Please review these resources and share them with eligibility teams, financial counselors, social workers, care coordinators and other frontline staff who interact with Medicaid expansion beneficiaries. Early education and assistance will be critical to helping eligible patients maintain coverage and mitigating the harmful effects of H.R. 1 on the patients and communities you serve.

Staff contact: Elizabeth Nelson

IDPH Releases Antibiotic Awareness Week Webinar Schedule, Including IHA Webinar Nov. 20

The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) has released its 2026 U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week webinar schedule, as part of the Department's annual effort to recognize and celebrate the antimicrobial stewardship work being done across Illinois. Between Nov. 18-24 IDPH is hosting a number of virtual sessions to highlight current antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Click here for more information about IDPH's events.

Notably, on Nov. 20 from 10-11 a.m. CT, IDPH staff will discuss opportunities to further hospital antimicrobial stewardship efforts during a complimentary IHA webinar, "Stewardship in Action: Antibiotic Awareness Week and Honor Roll Recognition." Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Manager Jamie Jacob, PharmD, BCIDP, and Antimicrobial Stewardship Outreach Coordinator Shannon Calus, MPH, will lead the session. Hospitals receiving the 2026 Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaboration Distinction award will be announced during the webinar, as will those that made the 2026 Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll.

There is no fee to attend. Registrants will receive the webinar recording. Register today.

Staff contact: Jenny Winkler

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data

The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.

Briefly Noted

The U.S. economy added 165,000 jobs in October, bringing the total for the year to 861,000, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.1% from 4.2%. Healthcare added 42,000 in October, higher than the average monthly gain of 31,000 over the previous 12 months. Hospitals added 16,000 jobs last month, while home healthcare services added 11,000 jobs and outpatient care centers saw employment gains topping 5,000 jobs.

Leading the News

115+ Illinois hospitals simulate AI-powered cyberattack

Becker's Hospital Review

More than 115 Illinois hospitals and health systems participated in a statewide emergency preparedness exercise Wednesday, Nov. 4, simulating a cyberattack powered by artificial intelligence.

Editorial: Roseland Community isn't alone. Many more safety-net hospitals are at grave risk.

Chicago Tribune

Late last month, we heard a dire warning from José Sánchez, president of Humboldt Park Health and chairman of the Association of Safety-net Community Hospitals in Chicago. Cuts to Medicaid set to take effect on Jan. 1 are likely to devastate the precarious finances of the 14 safety-net community hospitals in Chicago - the facilities that care for the poorest among us - to the point where many of them won't be able to continue, he told us. As many as seven could close not long after that date.

CMS finalizes 340B drug pay cut: 9 things to know

Becker's Hospital Review

CMS finalized a cut to Medicare payments for 340B-acquired drugs in its 2027 outpatient payment rule, issued Nov. 4. Here are nine things to know.