ACTION NEEDED: Urge Your Member of Congress to Protect Medicaid
Federal Medicaid cuts under serious consideration in Washington represent a profound and immediate threat to Illinois hospitals, the patients they care for and the communities they serve. The proposals emerging from Congress would deliver a devastating blow to the health and well-being of our state’s most vulnerable and hardworking families. These are not abstract policy changes—if enacted, they will result in real-life consequences, including reduced access to care, loss of vital services, and increased financial strain on hospitals already operating on thin margins.
As expected, the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a draft of their portion of the budget reconciliation bill late Sunday, May 11, and has scheduled their mark-up of the legislation for tomorrow, May 13 at 2 p.m. ET. A summary of the legislation provided by the majority committee staff can be found
here and the full text can be accessed
here. While a detailed review by AHA and IHA is underway, among other things the legislation:
- Freezes provider taxes at current levels as of the effective date of the legislation;
- Restricts future state directed payments (SDPs) to Medicare rates;
- Reduces the expansion federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for states that provide healthcare to undocumented persons, regardless of the funding source of that healthcare;
- Requires states to impose cost-sharing for Medicaid expansion enrollees with incomes at or above the federal poverty limit, capped at $35 per service;
- Requires states to conduct eligibility checks for ACA Expansion population adults every six months; and
- Requires states to impose 80-hour-per-month work requirements on “able-bodied adults without dependents,” allowing work, educational programs, community service or a combination of activities to count towards the requirements, outlining multiple exceptions, effective January 2029.
These proposals would mark a significant change in the way Medicaid programs around the country are supported and financed.
ACTION REQUESTED: As recommended in Friday’s advocacy alert: Please immediately contact your Congressional representative and explain the real world impact any Medicaid cuts will have on patient care and the communities you serve. Urge them to reject harmful funding cuts to Medicaid and other healthcare programs.
Click here to access a digital messaging platform with a pre-populated message that will allow you to directly email your member of congress to explain how cuts to Medicaid and other programs would reduce access to care and services for their constituents and your community. Share the link with your employees and encourage their engagement and action on this critical issue.
Celebrate National Hospital Week: May 11–17
National Hospital Week is a special opportunity to recognize the incredible dedication of Illinois’ more than 200 hospitals and nearly 40 health systems—and the healthcare professionals who bring their mission to life. From nurses and physicians to facilities and support services teams, supply chain staff, and clinical leaders, it takes a diverse and skilled workforce to deliver high-quality care and support community health every day.
This week is a time to honor the vital role hospitals play—caring for patients, advancing health, and strengthening the communities they serve. IHA thanks all of Illinois’ hospital teams for your dedication and compassion. We know that Illinois hospitals are the heartbeat of their communities, providing lifesaving care 24/7 inside their facilities. And beyond their walls, they are driving local economies, addressing community needs and training future clinicians.
Click here to learn more about how Illinois’ hospitals and health systems are having an impact and healing communities across the state. You can also access IHA’s
“Healing Communities” toolkit with campaign assets to help you celebrate and showcase the positive impact your hospital or health system has on individual lives and the broader community.
Click here to read hospital stories that underscore the important role Illinois hospitals play in providing services, care and opportunities that go beyond the 24/7 care within their facilities.
We encourage you to share your story, which will be featured on the campaign’s landing page and across IHA’s communication channels. For more information contact
Valerie Culver.
Register: Annual Healthcare Risk Management Meeting Is June 6
Learn about the impact of artificial intelligence on risk management and potential liability concerns with telehealth during the
37th annual meeting of the Illinois Society of Healthcare Risk Management (ISHRM).
The meeting will be on June 6 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Collinsville – St. Louis, from 8 a.m.-3:45 p.m. CT. Risk managers, attorneys, nurses and physicians will benefit from attending. Other topics covered will be:
- Risk mitigation techniques to address sexual assault and molestation claims;
- The collateral source rule and how clinical documentation can influence outcomes; and
- How to mitigate risk through documentation in the medical record.
A pre-meeting networking dinner will be held at 6 p.m. CT on June 5 at Zapata's Mexican Restaurant in Collinsville. The registration fee for ISHRM members is $125. IHA is an event sponsor.
Register today.
REMINDER: Medicaid IMPACT Revalidations Town Hall May 15
The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is currently conducting IMPACT Medicaid provider revalidations. To assist providers with navigating the IMPACT enrollment System and answer questions, HFS is now hosting monthly, virtual town hall meetings. IHA recommends hospitals participate in these town hall meetings if you have an upcoming revalidation. The next town hall is Thursday, May 15 from 3-3:45 p.m., CT.
Click here to view the town hall meeting schedule and register for a future town hall.
IHA urges all providers to check their revalidation cycle due date and submit necessary information to complete their revalidation. To view the revalidation due dates of servicing providers affiliated with your hospitals,
click here for step-by-step instructions. If you do not complete your revalidation, you will be disenrolled from IMPACT and providers can no longer bill for services provided to Illinois Medicaid enrollees, including those enrolled in managed care organizations.
