IHA Daily Briefing: October 2

Sen. Richard J. Durbin Honored for Four Decades of Service to Illinois

The second day of IHA Leadership Summit began with remarks from Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois' senior senator, who is retiring in January after more than 40 years of public service. Reflecting on his career and the accomplishments most meaningful to him, Sen. Durbin highlighted passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and creation of the Hospital Engagement Action and Leadership (HEAL) initiative. Throughout his remarks, he emphasized the shared concern for health that connects healthcare leaders and the communities they serve.

"There's a common factor in life and it's health and we share that concern personally, for those we love, and for those in our community," Sen. Durbin said.

Durbin recalled the challenges of passing the ACA and the historic effort to expand health insurance coverage. Drawing on his own experience without health insurance, he underscored the importance of protecting access to coverage amid continued threats to the law.

He also described how conversations with Chicago hospital leaders helped inspire the HEAL initiative eight years ago. HEAL, he said, demonstrates how hospitals can reach beyond their walls to address violence and improve the health and well-being of surrounding neighborhoods. He thanked hospital leaders for their partnership in that work.

Turning to the challenges ahead, Sen. Durbin warned that federal Medicaid cuts could push some hospitals to a breaking point, jeopardizing their ability to sustain basic care. He urged hospital leaders to remain organized and vocal in advocating for accessible, affordable healthcare, and expressed hope that the cuts could be reversed to prevent serious consequences for patients and communities.

He closed by thanking Illinois hospital leaders for their collaboration over the years, acknowledging their shared accomplishments and the work still ahead.

"It has been a joy working with you. I really think we have achieved some great things together. HEAL is proof positive you can reach beyond administration of your hospitals and change the world around you. Thank you for being great partners over the years-there's a lot more to do," said Sen. Durbin.

Following Sen. Durbin's address, IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi joined him on stage to recognize his contributions to Illinois hospitals and the patients and communities they serve. He noted that Illinois hospitals have known Sen. Durbin as a strong advocate in Springfield and Washington, and as a trusted partner who listens to healthcare providers and works to identify meaningful solutions.

In recognition of Sen. Durbin's extraordinary service, Wilhelmi presented him with IHA's inaugural Distinguished Service Award. The award honors Sen. Durbin's enduring commitment to Illinois hospitals, caregivers, patients and communities.

"Public service is ultimately measured by the lives made better because someone chose to serve," Wilhelmi said. "By that measure, Senator Durbin, your impact on Illinois-and on healthcare throughout our state-has been profound. It has been an honor for IHA and our members to work alongside you."

See IHA's Summit recap on our social media channels X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Navigating Federal Policy: AHA Session at Leadership Summit

At IHA Leadership Summit on Thursday, American Hospital Association (AHA) President and CEO Emeritus Rick Pollack discussed politics and policy, levers of influence, leadership lessons, and what he's most proud of during his 44 years with AHA ahead of his retirement.

In terms of policy and politics, Pollack said what happens in November's mid-term election will determine what's ahead. He said price transparency, Medicare regulatory activity, 340B Drug Pricing Program cuts, site neutrality and H.R. 1 rules for state-directed payments could be in play. Pollack shared levers of influence-including telling your hospital story, building coalitions and investing in hospital-focused political action committees-as critical to advocacy.

Reflecting on his career in healthcare leadership, Pollack pointed to AHA's role in shaping the Affordable Care Act (ACA)-"the coverage expansions we've been able to achieve"-as one of the accomplishments he's most proud of. He also highlighted the hospital community's experience during COVID-19.

"Everybody came together and worked in an incredibly collaborative way," Pollack said. "We did the funding stuff and the regulatory stuff and all of that, but you all came together and that made me very proud."

IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi noted the financial support and regulatory flexibility Pollack secured during the pandemic and his efforts to expand access to through the ACA as he presented Pollack with the IHA Lifetime Achievement Award.

"Over 44 years at the AHA-including 20 years leading advocacy and policy and, since 2015, serving as president and CEO-you have helped shape the voice of the American hospital community at some of the most consequential moments in our industry's history," Wilhelmi said. "The American hospital community is stronger because of your leadership."

In accepting the award, Pollack said, "I've learned over the years that leadership is not about one person, it's about the collective will of the team. It's been my privilege to serve you because you deliver hope and healing."

See IHA's Summit recap on our social media channels X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

10 Drug Companies Approved for Participation in 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program

The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) yesterday announced 10 drug companies have been approved to participate in the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. The approved companies are AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas Pharma US, AstraZeneca, Bristol Meyers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Pfizer and Teva Pharmaceuticals. Hospitals that purchase 340B drugs from these companies will be required to participate in the rebate program. More details about the drug companies approved to participate in the Rebate Model Pilot Program, as well as FAQs, can be found on the HRSA webpage. The program would begin Jan. 1, 2027.

IHA submitted comments on the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program, raising concerns about administrative and resource burden the pilot will pose for 340B providers, as well as the cash flow problems hospitals will experience and the services and programs that will be at stake under the rebate program. IHA also asked for more rigorous oversight of pharmaceutical manufacturers under the rebate program, and for any permanent changes to the financing of the program to be formally acted on not only by lawmakers but also be presented to the public through Notice and Comment rulemaking.

Staff contact: Cassie Yarbrough

CMS Launches 340B Claims Data Repository

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) 340B Part D claims data repository is now available to accept voluntary data submissions. While data submissions are currently voluntary, the agency has proposed requiring mandatory data submissions beginning Jan. 1, 2027. CMS has made available multiple resources to support 340B entities and their third-party administrators with data submissions, including a user guide, companion guide, fact sheet and FAQs.

On Sept. 14, IHA submitted comments to CMS on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule, urging CMS to revise the 340B-related proposal for mandated submission of targeted Part D claims data to the 340B claims data repository. IHA advocated for CMS to permit voluntary submission as previously planned to reduce administrative and financial provider burden. IHA emphasized that hospital-employed physicians and advanced practice professionals are already facing significant cost pressures, including payment reductions arising from changes to Medicaid financing and the continued rising pharmaceutical, supply chain, and workforce costs. IHA advised CMS not to compound these challenges through additional payment reductions and access-impeding policies.

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 Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services, Illinois Dept. of Public Health and Safe Kids Illinois are partnering with public transit agencies across the state to raise awareness about unsafe sleep practices, displaying safe sleep placards on approximately 1,000 buses across Illinois. Unsafe sleep practices are a leading cause of death for infants across the U.S., with 124 Illinois infants losing their lives before their first birthday in 2025. These tragic, and often preventable, deaths frequently stem from accidental suffocation due to infants being placed to sleep somewhere other than a crib or bassinet; sharing an adult bed; or sleeping with soft bedding, pillows or other items in the crib.

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