A.J. Wilhelmi and Damond Boatwright: Why Illinois Patients Need The 340B Drug Program 
“Protecting 340B means protecting resources that help keep vital services available locally where patients can remain connected to their families, support systems and communities while receiving care,” said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO, and Damond Boatwright, President and CEO of Hospital Sisters Health System and IHA’s 2026 Board Chair, in their editorial published in The State Journal-Register July 11. 

Wilhelmi and Boatwright wrote in response to a July 3 opinion letter on the 340B Drug Pricing Program that relied on pharmaceutical industry talking points to mischaracterize the program and direct attention away from the reason Congress created the program: to help hospitals and other safety-net providers stretch limited resources further to expand access to care for vulnerable patients and communities.

Noting that, “drug manufacturers’ intent is to protect their bottom line,” Boatwright and Wilhelmi said, “they have spent years promoting misleading information about 340B to distract from the real issue—the rising cost of prescription drugs.”

They emphasized, “The Illinois Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act (HB 2371) was nearly unanimously approved with strong bipartisan support by Illinois lawmakers who understood the importance of the 340B program in supporting critical healthcare services across Illinois.”

“At a time when hospitals face growing financial pressures, rising workforce costs and increasing demand for care, weakening 340B would only make it harder for providers to meet the needs of the communities they serve….Illinois patients deserve access to care. Protecting 340B helps ensure hospitals can continue delivering it,” concluded Wilhelmi and Boatwright.

Having been approved by the General Assembly, HB 2371 has been sent to the Governor for final action.

DEADLINE July 31: Hospitals With Outreach Labs Private Payer Clinical Lab Data Reporting
The deadline is July 31 for most hospital outreach laboratories to report mandated private payer clinical diagnostic laboratory data for services furnished during the first six months of 2025 to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Information includes Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System codes, associated private payer rates and volume data. Letters were previously sent from CMS to hospitals that the agency believes have outreach laboratories that are likely required to report their data. CMS has published a guide and additional resources for hospital outreach laboratories to determine whether and how they must report.

IDPH Seeks Abstract Submissions for Weather and Public Health Response Summit
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) is inviting professionals and partners from across Illinois to submit abstracts for consideration to be presented in person at the 2nd annual Illinois Weather and Public Health Response Summit. The event will be held Oct. 6 -7 at the I Hotel & Illinois Conference Center in Champaign.

The event brings together leaders from multiple sectors to share strategies, strengthen partnerships, and support coordinated responses to weather-related public health challenges. Click here for more information about the Summit.

IDPH says abstract submissions should highlight innovative, practical, and collaborative approaches to addressing weather-related public health challenges with a focus on human, animal, and environmental health. 

All abstract submissions are due by Aug. 7. For more information, click here or send an email to OSI-Events@uillinois.edu.