Enhance MCI Response Capabilities With IHA Emergency Prep Exercise Nov. 5
Just over 650 aviation accidents occurred across the United States this year through August, with nearly two-thirds involving fatalities or serious injuries. IHA’s Emergency Preparedness Exercise on Nov. 5 will focus on a commercial aircraft emergency landing near a local hospital to aid hospitals and health systems—along with partner organizations—in preparing for a mass casualty incident (MCI).

The exercise, “Rough Landing: A Mass Casualty Event,” is designed for key personnel hospital-wide. Held from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. CT, this live, interactive webinar will give hospital and health system teams the opportunity to enhance preparedness in:

• Activating MCI protocols, including initial notifications and resource coordination
• Responding to a patient surge, including patients with access/functional needs
• Maintaining safety for staff, patients and visitors
• Establishing and providing family reunification services, considering necessary resources, HIPAA-compliant communication and more
• Implementing recovery and resiliency plans, including business continuity

New this year, IHA has reduced registration fees to ensure all members can participate in this critical training opportunity. Fees are based on authorized beds and include unlimited staff participation at the registered facility, Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program exercise materials, facilitation, and continuing education credits. See our program webpage for more information. Register today. 

Staff contact: Keneatha Johnson

IHA Initiative Creating Healthcare Workforce Task Force Becomes Law
The creation of a Healthcare Workforce Task Force, one of IHA’s key state advocacy priorities for 2025, has now been signed by Gov. JB Pritzker. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, P.A. 104-0359, establishes the Health Care Workforce Task Force Act under the Illinois Dept. of Public Health. The Task Force is charged with conducting a comprehensive review of Illinois’ healthcare workforce landscape, including relevant laws and regulations, identifying workforce shortages across the state, and hearing from stakeholders on the challenges they face. Click here to access an Oct. 1 IHA memo with more information about Task Force membership and areas of focus. 

IHA will be an active participant in the Task Force, and there will be multiple opportunities for member engagement and input. IHA will ensure that hospital voices are heard by soliciting member testimony, ideas and experiences to help inform the Task Force’s work, and keep members informed of Task Force developments.

Staff contact: Lance Kovacs

Celebrating Stewardship Success – Join IHA, IDPH on Nov. 18
IHA is proud to partner with the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) in recognizing U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week, observed annually from Nov. 18-24. This national initiative highlights the importance of appropriate antimicrobial use and stewardship. 

Join us on Tuesday, Nov. 18 at noon CT for a complimentary one-hour webinar, “Champions of Change: Celebrating Stewardship Success.” You’ll hear from IDPH’s Antimicrobial Stewardship leaders, Dr. Jamie Jacob, PharmD, BCIDP, and Shannon Calus, MPH. Together, they will:  

• Share updates on IDPH’s Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiatives;
• Recognize the 2025 Acute Care Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll awardees;
• Highlight recipients of the Collaboration Distinction Award; and
• Showcase efforts supporting U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week. 

This webinar is open to all hospitals. We encourage you to share the registration link with colleagues involved in antimicrobial stewardship programs. Click here  to register.

For questions, please contact QualityPatientSafety@team-iha.org. 

Illinois Dept. of Human Services Releases Alert on Govt. Shutdown
Today, the Illinois Dept. of Human Services (DHS) released an alert on the impact of the federal government shutdown on state departmental programs. At this time, DHS does not believe there will be any immediate impact felt by customers, providers, or staff in October including, but not limited to, SNAP, CCAP, WIC, Medicaid, Early Intervention, and TANF cash benefit customers. Regularly scheduled benefits will continue to be issued, and DHS local offices will remain open and ready to assist providers, grantees, and clients. DHS will continue to monitor the situation and provide timely updates.

Staff contact: Lia Daniels

IL to Participate in Federal Model for Sickle Cell Disease Treatment
Illinois has been selected to participate in a federal model that will increase access to potentially transformative treatments for people living with rare and severe diseases. The Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) announced it was accepted into the federal Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) Access Model, a multiyear agreement among states and drug manufacturers to increase Medicaid beneficiaries’ access to treatments.

Illinois is expected to be awarded up to $9.55 million in federal dollars over the course of 10.5 years to support Illinois’ implementation of the model, including screenings, referrals and wraparound support services, with the ultimate goal of directly resolving documented barriers to care. The model’s initial focus is access to gene therapy treatments for people living with sickle cell disease. The funding will also support state implementation, as well as additional patient support services and research funding, through a partnership with the Sickle Cell Disease Association of Illinois. 

For more information about the CGT Access Model, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services website here.