IHA Daily Briefing: November 6

REGISTER: IHA Webinar to Prepare for Increased ED Usage Nov. 20

An estimated 11.8 million people will lose health coverage over the next decade as a result of H.R. 1. It's also expected to spur an increase in people seeking care for mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) services in hospital emergency departments (EDs), as Medicaid is the nation's largest payer of such services.

A complimentary Nov. 20 IHA webinar will help hospitals prepare for increased ED usage with strategies that could also be implemented to address current challenges of patients in need of mental health and SUD care presenting in the ED.

The session, from 2-3 p.m. CT, will spotlight:

In addition to warm hand-offs, experts from Health Management Associates (HMA), an IHA Corporate Sponsor, will discuss the role of peer recovery specialists, effective screening and assessment tools, and strong partnerships with community providers. HMA is sponsoring the webinar.

The session is designed for hospital and health system C-Suite leaders as well as Chief Medical Officers, Chief Nursing Officers, and Emergency Department Directors. There is no cost to attend. The webinar will be recorded and made available to all registrants following the program. Register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

Healing Communities: Memorial Hospital Is Inspiring Future Clinicians

Memorial Hospital in Chester launched a program in 2019 to introduce students to job opportunities in healthcare so they can learn and explore different specialties-and potentially find their future career.

The hospital's Medical Explorers Program has exposed over 140 high school and college students to a wide range of healthcare careers, from nursing and diagnostic imaging to physical therapy and speech-language pathology. The students benefit from monthly presentations by hospital professionals and partner organizations, as well as hands-on activities such as using diagnostic equipment, starting IVs, drawing blood, practicing suturing and taking vital signs.

"You never know what will be the spark that sets a student on their future path," said Program Director Mariah Bargman. "Those who join the program multiple years walk away with a broader and deeper understanding of the many healthcare career opportunities available."

Located in southwestern Illinois, the hospital was attuned to future staffing needs before the pandemic exacerbated healthcare staffing shortages. Its efforts have led to hiring 12 former explorers across nursing, diagnostic imaging, laboratory, admitting and medical records. The program's 8% hire rate is expected to grow as more participants complete their degrees.

"Our rural communities face unique challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals," said Brett Bollmann, CEO of Memorial Hospital, a 25-bed Critical Access Hospital. "The Medical Explorers Program is one of the most effective tools we have to grow our own workforce."

IHA's Healing Communities: Hospital Stories webpage features the good work of hospitals across Illinois. Submit your hospital's or health system's story to Valerie Culver, Assistant Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications and Marketing, at [email protected].

IHA's Healing Communities campaign focuses on four pillars representing the positive impact of hospitals and health systems beyond care provided in the hospital setting. The pillars are: driving local economies, addressing community needs, providing accessible care and training future clinicians.

Get Covered Illinois Launches Open Enrollment for 2026 Health Insurance

Get Covered Illinois has kicked off 2026 open enrollment and launched its "Here to Help" campaign across the state.

Open enrollment, which began on Nov. 1 and runs through Jan. 15, is the annual opportunity for Illinoisans to enroll in, renew, or change their health insurance plans. For coverage starting Jan. 1, customers must enroll by Dec. 15.

This year, Illinoisans will experience a new marketplace. Enrollees will apply for and enroll directly on GetCoveredIllinois.gov now that Illinois has officially transitioned to a state-based marketplace. They will also have access to increased support that is more tailored to their needs. Nearly 466,000 Illinoisans purchased health coverage through Get Covered Illinois during open enrollment last year, a 17% increase from the previous year.

The marketplace will offer hundreds of plan options across the state and every plan includes essential health benefits like no-cost preventative care, emergency coverage, and mental health services. Free, one-on-one enrollment help is available statewide from trained navigators and licensed brokers-in person, by phone, and online-with support in multiple languages. For more information or free assistance, visit GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call 1-866-311-1119 (TTY: 711).