Amicus Brief Filed Defending HHS Decision to Reject 340B Rebate Models by Drug Companies

Yesterday, the IHA joined the American Hospital Association (AHA), other federal hospital and healthcare organizations, and state hospital associations in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. The amicus brief was filed in a consolidated appeal by Eli Lilly, Bristol Myers Squib, Sanofi-Aventis, and Novartis after the District Court for the D.C. Circuit agreed with the government that the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) has the authority to require approval of the rebate models before they are implemented. The amicus brief defends HHS’ legal position and further argues the proposed rebate models are incompatible with the 340B statute.

Upcoming SANE Training Opportunities
The Office of the Illinois Attorney General (OAG) announced the remaining adult/adolescent (AA) and pediatric/adolescent (PA) sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) didactic training opportunities for 2025. The trainings, listed below, are for registered nurses, advanced practice providers, and physicians, and include pre-coursework that must be completed before in-person training begins.

• September OAG AA SANE Training: The OAG will hold an AA SANE training session Sept. 9-11, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CT, in Kankakee. The required online pre-coursework will be released on Aug. 7 and must be completed by Sept. 4. Applications are due Aug. 25, and more information can be found in this training invitation.
• October OAG PA SANE Training: The OAG will hold a PA SANE didactic training session Oct. 7-10, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CT, in Naperville at Endeavor Health Edward Hospital. The required online pre-coursework will be released on Sept. 4 and must be completed by Oct. 2. Applications are due Sept. 23, and more information can be found in this training invitation.
• November OAG AA SANE Training: The OAG will hold an AA SANE training session Nov. 4-6, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. CT, in Aurora at Rush Copley Medical Center. The required online pre-coursework will be released on Oct. 2 and must be completed by Oct. 30. Applications are due Oct. 16, and more information can be found in this training invitation.

For more information regarding the Illinois SANE Program, the content of the training or nursing contact hours, please email sane@ilga.gov.

Staff contact: Cassie Yarbrough

Supporting Members’ Patient Safety Structural Measure Efforts 
The Patient Safety Structural Measure (PSSM) is a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiative requiring hospitals to attest to 25 proven patient safety practices. As part of CMS’ Inpatient Prospective Payment System, it evaluates hospitals’ safety culture and structures, promoting a systems-based approach that includes leadership commitment, patient engagement, and continuous learning. Are you familiar with the five domains hospitals must attest to? Click here to learn how to support your hospital or system hospitals in achieving affirmative attestation to statements within each domain. 

IHA’s Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety (MAPS) wants to support IHA members. MAPS is leading efforts to prevent medical error through resource sharing, education and data collection/analysis. As a certified Patient Safety Organization (PSO) since 2010, MAPS provides disclosure privileges, confidentiality and protections for reported patient events. Click here to learn more about MAPS benefits.

CDC Warns Travelers About Chikungunya Virus
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 travel notice for people traveling to China about the chikungunya virus, urging them to “practice enhanced precautions.” Mosquitoes spread the virus that causes chikungunya, and while death from chikungunya is rare, symptoms including severe joint aches, fever and fatigue can last for months to years following acute illness. CDC recommends vaccination for travelers who are visiting an area with an outbreak, which is located in the Guangdong Province of China. Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the United States. 

The CDC has issued current travel notices about chikungunya for multiple countries including Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Locally acquired chikungunya cases have not been reported from U.S. states or territories since 2019.

Report: 57% of New Mothers Did Not Attend Postpartum Follow-Up Visits
A majority of new mothers are missing critical postpartum care — with younger women facing the steepest barriers. According to a recent report published by Cedar Gate Technologies, nearly 57% of mothers did not attend a postpartum follow-up visit three to eight weeks after giving birth. More than six in 10 (60.85%) women ages 20 to 24 miss out on postpartum care within three to eight weeks after giving birth. Postpartum moms ages 40 to 44 are the most likely to attend these appointments, with 44.04% attending the appointment, and only 55.96% missing the follow-up care.