IHA Daily Briefing: September 25

REGISTER: HFS to Lead IHA Webinar on H.R. 1 Updates Oct. 6

An estimated 700,000 Illinois adults could lose Medicaid coverage if they fail to meet new "community engagement" requirements in H.R. 1. The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) has begun preparing for the sweeping changes ahead, which will be the focus of a complimentary IHA webinar, "Illinois HFS Medicaid H.R. 1 Implementation Update," on Oct. 6 from 1-2 p.m. CT.

Carrie Chapman, JD, the Department's Special Assistant for Eligibility Initiatives, will lead the webinar, covering several important topics:

• New Medicaid community engagement requirements, also known as "work requirements," and related compliance considerations;
• Implementation of the medical frailty exemption;
• Medicaid redeterminations;
• Hospital-based Medicaid application agents; and
• Other H.R. 1 implementation updates impacting hospitals and health systems.

Chapman, who focuses on Medicaid eligibility and H.R. 1 implementation, will also discuss key program design decisions, beneficiary outreach strategies, and the operational and policy changes underway as HFS prepares to meet the federal law's Jan. 1, 2027, compliance deadline.

The webinar is designed for hospital and health system CEOs, CFOs, CNOs, Government Relations leaders, Patient Financial Services and Revenue Cycle staff, and other leaders involved in Medicaid operations or H.R. 1 implementation.

There is no fee for IHA members to attend the webinar. Register today.

Staff contacts: Jordan Powell, Jennifer Koehler

IDPH HEALTH ALERT: Train/Travel-Related Measles Exposures

The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) issued a health alert to clinicians today highlighting new measles exposure locations, several related to train travel throughout the state and in neighboring states. IDPH said clinicians should review exposure locations and vaccination history for those who present with measles-like symptoms to determine testing, infection prevention, and post-exposure prophylactic needs. The Department also strongly recommended clinicians evaluate pre-travel MMR vaccination needs for those who are non-immune, not just prior to international travel but also travel to domestic areas with measles outbreaks. Additional resources can be found here.

AHA Hosts CMS Experts in Webinar on No Surprises Act

Join the American Hospital Association's No Surprises Act (NSA) Forum for an opportunity to hear directly from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) experts about recent NSA developments during a Sept. 29 webinar, "Inside the No Surprises Act: CMS Update on Recent Policy and Operational Developments." The discussion will cover upcoming implementation activities, including federal independent dispute resolution operations, remittance advice requirements, provider directory initiatives and enforcement activities. The webinar is free and open to the public. Time will be reserved at the end of the webinar for CMS to address members questions. Click here to register.

2026 Weathering the Storm Disaster Preparedness Conference Oct. 8

The Shawnee Preparedness and Response Coalition (SPARC) regional disaster and preparedness conference, "Weathering the Storm," will take place Oct. 8 in Marion in the southern region of the state. The conference is intended to provide relevant disaster preparedness education to those involved or interested in disaster management. Click here for more information on the conference agenda, registration and continuing education credit.

LIHEAP Application for Utility Bill Assistance

Beginning Oct. 1, eligible families can apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to support income-eligible households with utility costs for natural gas, propane, and electricity. Applications will open Oct. 1 and be accessed here or by visiting their local agency; a list of partners throughout the state can be found here. Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages. The energy bill assistance program offered through Help Illinois Families will provide $240 million to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane, electricity bills and furnace assistance. Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP. A chart with eligible income thresholds can be found on the webpage. The applications will remain open through Aug. 13, 2027, or until funds are exhausted. ​

Illinois Achieves Overall Grade of A- in 2026 Digital States Survey

The Illinois Dept. of Innovation & Technology announced the Center for Digital Government has raised Illinois' overall grade to an A-, and recognized Illinois with an Outstanding Achievement Award for Constituent Digital Experience, in its 2026 Digital States Survey. The survey evaluated states based on a set of criteria that included actions supporting state priorities and policies to improve operations or services, hard and soft-dollar savings/benefits, progress since the last survey, innovative and citizen-centric services, and effective collaboration. Those states receiving high marks demonstrated results across all criteria. A grade of "A" reflects a state that demonstrated a very strong innovation, high performing solutions with verifiable impacts across all categories, and that excellent practices have been applied in all aspects of their operations, governance and administration.

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

An Executive Session was held yesterday by the Senate Finance Committee during which time it advanced the nomination of Chris Klomp for deputy secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Klomp was advanced by a 15-12 vote and will now be considered by the full Senate.

Leading the News