Changes to SASETA: TeleSANE and Decisional Capacity
The Illinois General Assembly passed Public Act (P.A.) 104-0837 in 2026, which reflects ongoing collaboration between IHA and the Illinois Office of the Attorney General, hospitals, and other stakeholders to continue refining the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act (SASETA). This bill amends SASETA to permit the inclusion of TeleSANE within a sexual assault treatment plan or areawide sexual assault treatment plan beginning Jan. 1, 2027. TeleSANE allows a qualified medical provider at a distant site to precept medical forensic examinations for sexual assault survivors age 13 or older at the originating site. The bill also clarifies the definitions of survivor consent and assent when the survivor is offered a medical forensic examination, and how consent may be obtained when the survivor lacks decisional capacity.
A detailed overview of the changes made to SASETA during the 2026 legislative session is available here.
Staff contact: Cassie Yarbrough
Health News Illinois: A Conversation with Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis
Cook County Health CEO Dr. Erik Mikaitis will join Health News Illinois in Chicago on Sept. 29 to discuss how the health system is preparing for Medicaid changes in response to sweeping reforms to the Medicaid program, and the anticipated rise in charity care amid cuts to social services. Dr. Mikaitis will share updates on Cook County Health’s initiatives and what’s ahead for the health system. Click here to learn more and register for the event.
Illinois Launches Reproductive Health Care Hub
Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday announced the launch of the Illinois Reproductive Health Care Hub, a new website centralizing resources for those making decisions about their reproductive health. The new online hub provides information on providers, reproductive healthcare options, and low-cost or free pathways to care. It also provides information to help Illinois patients better understand Illinois law and their rights under the Illinois Reproductive Health Act, Illinois Human Rights Act, and rights that apply to emergency care, among others. The resource hub can be found at reproductivehealth.illinois.gov.
CMS Announces Participants in Medicaid Drug Payment Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last Friday that all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, have applied to participate in a Medicaid drug payment initiative that ties pricing for certain prescription drugs to match the lowest prices paid by other developed nations, which are also known as the most-favored-nation prices. Forty states and Puerto Rico have already signed agreements to participate in the program. Remaining states have until Sept. 30, 2026, to sign agreements with CMS to participate in the model.
The five-year GENErating cost Reductions fOr U.S. Medicaid (GENEROUS) Model was launched in January. It is designed to lower drug spending in Medicaid and improve quality of care and health outcomes by increasing access to critical medications and strengthening the Medicaid program overall. Under the GENEROUS Model, participating manufacturers will make covered outpatient drugs available at most-favored nation pricing to participating state Medicaid programs. Under agreements with states, participating manufacturers will be invoiced by states for supplemental rebates to effectuate international prices. CMS will monitor pricing accuracy and will share in rebates with states via a reduction in the federal share of Medicaid payments. More information on the program can be found in the White House fact sheet.
NITA Expanding Access Pilot Program to CTA and Pace Starting Oct. 1
Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) directors recently voted to expand Access—a popular fare pilot that enables Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to ride Metra at a reduced fare—to CTA and Pace beginning Oct. 1. Eligible riders can apply for the program at GetAccess.org using their SNAP eligibility letter. Those who qualify can ride CTA and Pace at 50% off, making CTA bus rides $1.10, L rides $1.25, and Pace bus rides only $1. Survey data suggests that about 15% of CTA riders and 20% of Pace riders participate in SNAP currently and would be eligible to enroll in Access, representing an average of more than 127,000 daily riders. If these riders use transit for a five-day work week, they can save up to $650 a year with Access. NITA said the permits are valid for four years and will remain so even if changes are made to federal regulations on SNAP.
Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data
The Infectious Respiratory Disease Surveillance Dashboard from the Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) provides the latest data on hospital visits, seasonal trends, lab test positivity and demographic data. IDPH also tracks COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus information through the Illinois Wastewater Surveillance System dashboard.
Briefly Noted
Elevaris Medical Devices, doing business as Spectra Medical Devices, has issued a letter to affected customers recommending use of certain Sodium Chloride Flush products affected by the Huons Co., Ltd. recall be discontinued due to quality issues that could compromise sterility. As of July 6, Spectra Medical Devices has not reported any serious injuries or deaths associated with this issue.
Leading the News
Revenue cycle leaders: It’s time to retire denial rate as a standalone metric
Becker’s Hospital Review
Four revenue cycle leaders at the Becker’s 11th Annual Health IT + Digital Health + RCM Conference are shedding light on how denial rate – once a most trusted scorecard in revenue cycle – is a metric that no longer tells the entire story. Moreover, they said that leaning on this alone could cost hospitals extra money.
4 recent medical device maker cyberattacks and where they stand
Becker’s Hospital Review
Medical device makers have faced several cyberattacks in 2026, disrupting manufacturing, shipping and order processing for hospitals nationwide. Here’s where four significant incidents stand now.
2 Peoria Carle Health hospitals to become one this fall
WGLT
The current Carle Health Proctor Hospital on Knoxville Avenue in Peoria will be known as the Carle Health Methodist Hospital-Proctor Campus, effective Nov. 1. It’s a merger Carle said will strengthen health care services in the Peoria area.
