Government Shutdown – Telehealth Update, Fact Sheet Update
As the federal government shutdown continues, the IHA Fact Sheet on telehealth coverage changes has been updated to reflect new guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Guidance instructs all Medicare Administrative Contractors to implement a temporary claims hold following the expiration of telehealth waiver flexibilities on Oct. 1. Further, CMS recommends that providers who choose to perform telehealth services that are not payable following waiver expiration may want to evaluate providing beneficiaries with an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage. 

Staff contact: Lia Daniels

Healing Communities: La Rabida Children’s Hospital Addresses Community Needs
La Rabida Children’s Hospital serves children regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. The Chicago hospital extends its efforts into the community through initiatives supporting patients with complex medical conditions and disabilities or who’ve experienced abuse or trauma.

With food insecurity tied to healing, growth and development, La Rabida offers quality, nutritious foods through food pantries in the hospital’s outpatient center and inpatient unit. Families can take what they need—no questions asked—as part of an effort to ensure families have healthy food options.

“Supporting our families goes beyond medical care, and the La Rabida Food Pantry is an extension of who we are, what we do, and how we care," the hospital said.

Like with food insecurity, experiencing abuse or violent crime can have a profound effect on health and well-being. The La Rabida Child Advocacy Center (CAC) responds to new reports of such experiences 24/7. La Rabida’s CAC also offers child abuse prevention programs in schools.Every year, the La Rabida Chicago Child Trauma Center (CCTC) provides expert-level evidence-based trauma care to over 200 children and their families at no cost. The care is designed for individuals facing physical and sexual abuse or having witnessed violence and trauma.

La Rabida also works with University of Chicago Medicine Comer Pediatric Mobile Medical Unit to provide trauma-informed care to underserved and uninsured children at Chicago Public Schools, daycare centers, and community organizations on Chicago’s South Side.

IHA’s Healing Communities: Hospital Stories webpage features the good work of hospitals across Illinois. Submit your hospital’s or health system’s story to Valerie Culver, Assistant Vice Presidents, Corporate Communications and Marketing, at vculver@team-iha.org.

IHA’s Healing Communities campaign focuses on four pillars representing the positive impact of hospitals and health systems beyond care provided in the hospital setting. The pillars are: driving local economies, addressing community needs, providing accessible care and training future clinicians. 

TJC to Recognize Nurse Staffing as a National Performance Goal
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, The Joint Commission (TJC) will formally recognize nurse staffing as part of the organization’s National Performance Goals, meaning hospitals that seek accreditation must meet certain staffing and oversight standards. This is the first time TJC has included nurse staffing as a core quality component.

Under the new performance element, Goal 12, healthcare organizations must have a nurse executive responsible for overseeing nurse staffing, policies and procedures. The goal stipulates that hospitals have a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to either directly provide care or supervise nursing services provided by other staff. The goal also states, “There must be an adequate number of licensed registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and other staff to provide nursing care to all patients, as needed.”

Your Engagement Is Needed to Advance 340B Legislation
Your engagement—and that of your workforce—is critical to passing IHA’s Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act (HB 2371 SA 2), essential legislation to safeguard the 340B program and protect patients’ access to affordable care. However, Big Pharma is waging an all-out campaign, spending millions to defeat this bill and protect their bottom line at the expense of hospitals and the vulnerable patients you serve. 

Lawmakers need to hear from the people who care for Illinois patients every day. Your voice must rise above Big Pharma’s misinformation.

ACTION REQUESTED: Please share IHA’s Advocacy Alert with your workforce and urge them to immediately contact their House Representative and State Senator through IHA’s voter voice system and ask them to support and call for a vote on HB 2371 SA 2. Click here to access IHA’s digital messaging platform to send a pre-populated message directly to your House Representative and State Senator.

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data