Critical Access Hospital Compliance Webinar – Why Attend
Running a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) means doing more with less. But compliance expectations remain high, and missteps can lead to major consequences.

IHA's five-part webinar series, led by national regulatory expert Nancy Ruzicka, is designed specifically for CAH leaders and staff. You'll receive practical, real-world guidance for navigating the most frequently cited Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) Conditions of Participation (CoP).

Sessions take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. CT on July 25, August 1, 8, 15 and 22. In just a few hours per week, you and your team will gain:

• Targeted insights into Illinois' most commonly cited deficiencies;
• Actionable strategies you can implement across departments;
• Clarity on 2025 revisions; and
• Expert coaching from someone who's helped CAHs stay survey-ready.

Registration fees are per webinar. Participants will receive access to the program recording(s) for 30 days following each series. Be sure to select the “Health System" option to enroll multiple hospitals in a program when registering.

From swing bed services to patient rights and infection control, this series equips you with the clarity and strategies to approach compliance with confidence. Register today.

Staff contact: Bridget McCarte

TAKE ACTION NOW: Urge U.S. Senators, Representatives to REJECT Severe Medicaid Cuts
The U.S. Senate is expected to vote this week on legislation that would make severe cuts to the Medicaid program— including reductions to the federal Medicaid match and harsh restrictions on provider taxes. This legislation would have devastating consequences for Illinois hospitals and the patients and communities they care for. It is imperative that you contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives TODAY and urge them to reject these harmful funding cuts to Medicaid. Explain the real-world impact these significant Medicaid cuts will have on patient care and the communities you serve and ask them to contact Senate Majority Leader Thune and Speaker Johnson to voice their concerns with the legislation. Please click here to access a pre-populated action alert that you can use and share with your colleagues. 

Staff contact: Jennifer Koehler

REMINDER: Medicaid IMPACT Revalidations Due for June Cohort
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is currently conducting IMPACT Medicaid provider revalidations. Providers in the June cohort must complete IMPACT revalidations by June 30. Completing this information is necessary to continue receiving Medicaid reimbursement. If you are in this revalidation cycle and do not submit your revalidation information by June 30 you will be disenrolled from the IMPACT system and cannot receive retroactive enrollment. IHA urges all providers to check their revalidation cycle due date, as well as the servicing providers affiliated with their hospital, and submit necessary information to complete their revalidation. To check your revalidation due date, search the basic information page of your IMPACT enrollment. HFS has provided IHA with step-by-step instructions to check the status and due date of servicing providers that you can access here. The IMPACT Provider Revalidation website includes step-by-step instructions, a frequently asked questions document and a townhall webinar recording. 

FDA Expands Existing COVID-19 Vaccine Myocarditis Warning
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has asked both Pfizer and Moderna to update and expand current warnings about a rare side effect associated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Myocarditis, a form of heart inflammation, has been identified as a potential complication associated with the COVID-19 vaccine. Existing prescribing information from both drugmakers already includes information about this issue; however, the AP reported the FDA is asking the companies to update and expand the current warning to provide more detailed information and expand the label to include more patients.