IHA Small & Rural Meeting: Pre-conference Workshops and Member Reception
This year’s IHA Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting will kick-start the conversation on transforming rural healthcare during pre-conference workshops and a networking reception for IHA members. The June 17 workshops are designed to support strategic leadership and organizational decision-making in small and rural hospitals.

These panel discussions will bring together leaders from small and rural hospitals to address:

• The Role of Data and Advanced Analytics in Transforming Healthcare (1:30 p.m. CT); and
• Financial Sustainability of Healthcare Organizations: A Plan of Action (3:30 p.m. CT).

IHA Business Resources will host a networking reception for workshop attendees at 5 p.m. CT. The workshops and reception are opportunities to connect with colleagues, hear about successful strategies and earn In-Person Education Credit from the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

The workshops are open to IHA and Mid-America Healthcare Executives Forum members only. See our registration website for more information on June 17 workshops and June 18 Annual Meeting, both held at the Crowne Plaza Springfield. IHA’s discounted room rate is available through May 27. Register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

REGISTER: Webinars on Upcoming Medicaid Eligibility Changes 
New federal requirements under H.R. 1 may require some adults enrolled in Medicaid to report work, school or training activities. While many individuals will be exempt, it is critical that all individuals receive timely and accurate information—particularly those who are required to report qualifying activities. 

The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is hosting a webinar series to help stakeholders understand upcoming federal changes to Medicaid under H.R. 1. The first webinar, “A Medicaid Overview and HR 1 Changes, Impact, and Timeline,” will be on Thursday, May 21 from 1-2 p.m. CT. To register for this webinar, and view other upcoming webinars, click here. 
 
HFS also launched a communication toolkit to help providers reach individuals enrolled in Medicaid and encourage them to update their contact information to prevent unnecessary loss of coverage. The toolkit provides messaging tools to emphasize to Medicaid customers the importance of keeping up-to-date contact information on file with the state—especially with eligibility changes taking effect in late 2026 and 2027. The toolkit includes a slide deck and flyer available in both English and Spanish and recently expanded to numerous other languages as well. Click here to access the Department’s toolkit webpage.

Additionally, as a partner in the Cook County Health's Medicaid Impact Workgroup, and as part of a broader effort to raise awareness about the upcoming Medicaid eligibility changes, IHA is helping share key resources to assist hospitals in this effort. This includes the “Get Medicaid Facts” website and communication tools in numerous languages designed to help educate the public and support providers in preparing for these changes.

FDA Proposes Excluding Semaglutide, Tirzepatide and Liraglutide on 503B Bulks List
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced it is proposing to exclude semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from the 503B bulks list, saying it finds “no clinical need for outsourcing facilities to compound these drugs from bulk substances.” The 503B bulks list identifies bulk drug substances that outsourcing facilities may use in compounding under the conditions of section 503B of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. In most cases, outsourcing facilities cannot compound drugs using bulk drug substances unless the substance appears on the 503B bulks list, or the compounded drug is on FDA’s drug shortage list at the time of compounding, distribution, and dispensing. FDA said that following an evaluation of nominations for these three substances, It did not see a clinical need for outsourcing facilities to compound semaglutide, tirzepatide, and liraglutide from bulk drug substances. 

Testing Shows U.S. Infant Formula Supply Is Largely Safe from Contaminants
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday released the results from its large-scale testing of more than 300 infant formulas available on the U.S. market. FDA said the vast majority of samples had “undetectable or very low levels of contaminants,” indicating most products meet a “high safety standard.” FDA tested samples for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, pesticides (including glyphosate and glufosinate), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and phthalates. FDA said that while overall levels of contaminants in the infant formula samples tested were low, the agency plans to follow up with additional testing and will take additional action where appropriate.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) yesterday updated the communication “Insulin Pump Recall: Insulet Removes Certain Omnipod 5 Pods” to identify new affected lots of Omnipod 5 Pods and provide additional information about the recall. The update also confirms that this issue is considered a Class I Recall. The recall notice says pods from certain lots may have a small tear in the internal tubing that delivers insulin and may leak, potentially leading to under-delivery of insulin with the potential for prolonged high blood glucose levels. As of April 17, Insulet has reported 476 serious injuries and no deaths associated with this issue.