Illinois Health and Hospital Association

06/01/2026

Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA) President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi issued the following statement following the May 31 passage of the Illinois Patient Access to Pharmacy Protection Act (House Bill 2371) with bipartisan support.

Read the full statement: https://hubs.ly/Q04jCFXR0

05/29/2026

Leaders from across Illinois gathered this week at the Springfield YMCA for a youth mental health round table recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month. Pictured are Illinois Chief Children’s Behavioral Health Officer Dana Weiner, IHA Senior Director of Health Policy and Finance Lia Daniels, and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.

05/28/2026

Part of a Northwestern University course, “Let’s Go Camping!” aims to spread a bit of joy to young audiences. But it’s also leaving its mark on the theater students who perform the interactive adventure.

Part of a Northwestern University course, “Let’s Go Camping!” aims to spread a bit of joy to young audiences. But it’s also leaving its mark on the theater students who perform the interactive adventure.

05/27/2026

A strategic approach is needed to operationalize artificial intelligence (AI) across sectors, including healthcare. A June 5 IHA webinar will cover key operational strategies and other essential topics. Designed for Illinois small and rural hospital leaders, the session will walk you through aligning metrics with organizational goals, scaling successful AI pilots, and addressing emerging challenges.

Attend for a practical 30-60-90-day action plan for your hospital or health system—register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q04hYBPt0

05/19/2026

Hospital leaders from McDonough District Hospital, Memorial Hospital in Carthage, IL, and Jacksonville Memorial Hospital (Memorial Health) met with state lawmakers in Springfield last week as part of IHA’s Advocacy Day.

More than 150 leaders participated in over 100 meetings with lawmakers, focusing on protecting access to care, supporting hospitals and healthcare workers, preserving 340B, and advancing Medicaid reforms.

05/15/2026

Hospital and health system leaders from across Illinois came together in Springfield this week for IHA’s 2026 Hospital Advocacy Day.

More than 150 leaders participated in over 100 meetings with lawmakers, focusing on protecting access to care, supporting hospitals and healthcare workers, preserving 340B, and advancing Medicaid reforms.

Thank you to everyone who participated and helped elevate the voice of Illinois hospitals.

05/14/2026

Thank you to Gov. JB Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul, Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, Senate Republican Leader John Curran, House Republican Leader Tony McCombie, and Deputy Republican Leaders Norine Hammond and Ryan Spain for your continued leadership and for taking the time to meet with IHA President and CEO A.J. Wilhelmi and the IHA Board of Trustees during Hospital Advocacy Day!

IHA welcomed more than 150 hospital and health system leaders to meet with members of the Illinois General Assembly to urge them to prioritize policies to preserve the state’s investment in hospitals, protect the 340B program, mitigate workforce-related staffing and regulatory issues, and secure implementation of the Medicaid MCO prior authorization reforms passed in 2024.

“The record participation for our advocacy day underscores the urgency of the healthcare challenges facing our communities, including devastating cuts to Medicaid, delays in implementing MCO reforms, and efforts to restrict the 340B program, which provides critical healthcare services for our state’s most underserved residents,” said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO. “The hospital community is grateful for the opportunity to meet with Governor Pritzker and members of the Illinois General Assembly to stress the need for strong state support as hospitals continue to face financial instability and growing threats to access to care.”

05/13/2026

A session on federal health policy impacting small and rural hospitals will cover a range of topics during IHA’s Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting June 18. Susan Doherty of the American Hospital Association (AHA) will highlight prior authorization API, Medicare Advantage and Rural Health Transformation Program funding through H.R. 1.

Doherty is AHA’s Vice President of Field Engagement and part of the Rural Health and Regional Executive Team. She’ll provide critical insights and resources to empower rural hospital leaders to strengthen healthcare—and your organization. Join us in Springfield for this can’t-miss session and more.

Register today!
https://hubs.ly/Q04gfPj90

05/11/2026

During National Hospital Week, we recognize the vital role hospitals and health systems play in strengthening the health and wellbeing of communities across Illinois.

Hospitals are more than places of care — they are major employers, economic drivers, community partners, and lifelines during times of crisis.

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association is proud to support the healthcare professionals, support staff, and leaders working around the clock to ensure patients across our state have access to high-quality, compassionate care in their communities.

05/06/2026

The Illinois Health and Hospital Association seeks a Claims and Litigation Supervisor, Medical Malpractice responsible for the management of medical professional liability claims and litigation for IHA affiliates which include the Illinois Provider Trust, Illinois Risk Management Services and Medical Alliance Insurance.

Learn more: https://hubs.ly/Q04fJV2M0