IHA Daily Briefing: August 17

IHA Education Programs: Leadership Summit, Workforce Forum and More

From webinars to in-person events, IHA and our Corporate Sponsors are offering a variety of educational opportunities to address pertinent topics in healthcare. We encourage hospital and health system leaders and staff to participate in our offerings from now through early October.

IHA's marquee membership event of the year, Leadership Summit, will center on disruption impacting healthcare and proactive strategies to guide hospital transformation initiatives. U.S. Sen. Richard R. Durbin is scheduled to speak at the in-person Summit, held Oct. 1-2 in Oak Brook. Click here to book your hotel room with IHA's discount by Aug. 31.

In another in-person event, "Shaping the Future Healthcare Workforce: A Leadership Forum," IHA has partnered with IHA Strategic Partner Medical Solutions and Exigent Medical Education to spotlight key workforce considerations and strategies. Click here to attend the complimentary Aug. 27 event next Thursday.

Webinars offered in the coming weeks include:

• "Margin Improvement: Practical Strategies for Sustainable Financial Performance" tomorrow, Aug. 18, sponsored by Optum-click here to register.
• "Preparing for CJR-X: What Hospital Leaders Need to Know" on this Thursday, Aug. 20-click here to register.
• "Tech + Touch: Balancing Human Connection with Technology in Healthcare Workforce Solutions" on Sept. 8 sponsored by Medical Solutions-click here to register.

Registration will open soon for IHA webinar series on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (Oct. 14, 21, and 28) and Critical Access Hospitals Conditions of Participation (Oct. 23, 30 and Nov. 6). Save the date for the 2026 IHA Emergency Preparedness Exercise on Nov. 4.

Staff contact: David Strickland

HFS Releases H.R. 1 Phase 2 Communications Toolkit

Under new federal requirements, beginning in 2027 certain adults enrolled in Medicaid may eventually need to report work, education, or training activities to maintain coverage. While many individuals are expected to qualify for exemptions, ensuring patients receive clear, timely information will be essential to helping eligible individuals avoid unnecessary coverage disruptions.

To support stakeholder education and planning efforts, the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has released Phase 2 of their communications toolkit. This toolkit encourages broad public awareness on who may be impacted by these changes, who is exempt, and how to meet the new requirements and continue Medicaid coverage. These resources include the toolkit presentation, flyer and palm card.

HFS also continues to host a webinar series focused on the anticipated Medicaid changes under H.R. 1. The next webinar, "Redeterminations and Retroactive Coverage," will take place this Thursday, Aug. 20, from 1-2 p.m. CT. Additional webinars are also planned in the coming months. To register for this webinar, and view other upcoming webinars, click here.

In addition, through IHA's participation in Cook County Health's Medicaid Impact Workgroup, IHA is helping amplify public awareness efforts and distribute additional educational resources. This includes the "Get Medicaid Facts " website and accompanying multilingual communications materials designed to support hospitals, providers, and community organizations in educating patients and preparing for the upcoming changes.

Illinois Lyme Association, ILADS to Host Tickborne Diseases Medical Conference

The Illinois Lyme Association, in partnership with ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society), will host the 2026 Foundations in Tickborne Diseases Medical Conference on Tuesday, Sept. 8 from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CT at the I Hotel and Illinois Conference Center in Champaign. The free one-day, in-person event will bring together physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, paramedics, and other healthcare providers for a full day of accredited clinical education focused on tickborne diseases, emerging research, diagnosis, and patient care.

To register for the conference, clickhere. The event flyer is here. Conference registration will close on Monday, Aug. 31.CME credits are available through Carle Health for physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, social workers and paramedics. To receive credits, you will need to set up a free account through Carle Health's CMETracker platform here.

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 Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board (ILETSB) and the Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) recently announced the launch of a dedicated 24/7 callout line and email address for the Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Crisis Response Therapy Canine Certification Program, making it easier than ever for schools, first responders, local governments, businesses, community organizations and residents across Illinois to request the support of certified crisis response therapy canine teams. Whether responding to a critical incident, supporting a community after a traumatic event, or assisting local wellness initiatives and public engagement as team availability permits, these certified therapy canine teams are available to serve communities across Illinois.