Illinois Health and Hospital Association

12/18/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/18/2025 15:14

IHA Daily Briefing: December 18

Resources for Hospitals Regarding Ongoing ICE Enforcement Actions


Media reports confirm U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently returned to Illinois as part of the ongoing federal immigration enforcement operations in Chicago. In response, the American Business Immigration Coalition is hosting an emergency Illinois employer call, "Legal and Practical Guidance, Federal State of Play, and Next Steps," which will take place tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m. CT. Click here to register.

The call will cover the latest information and guidance to help employers protect their businesses and workforce, including:

  • Practical legal guidance on protecting your business, yourself and your workforce during CBP activity, featuring Anna Morzy, partner at Mehlman Jacobs.
  • Lessons learned from working alongside Chicago-area employers during previous CBP operations.
  • How employers can help deliver a clear message to lawmakers: With the border secure, it's time to secure the workforce.

To further assist members, IHA issued a Sept. 12 memo providing information on related federal actions and resources for hospitals about how to respond to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities.

Additionally, during the Veto session, the Illinois legislature passed HB 1312 / PA 104-0440 , which created the "Health Care Sanctity and Privacy Act." Pursuant to this new law, hospitals are required to adopt and implement policies regarding interactions with law enforcement. IHA's memo summarizing the requirements of this new legislation was published on Nov. 5 and is available here . General acute care hospitals are required to submit their policies by Jan. 1, and all other hospitals must submit their policies by March 1. It is anticipated that the Illinois Dept. of Public Health will issue public emergency rules implementing this legislation momentarily and IHA will provide additional information when these rules are released.

AMA Report Finds Health Insurance Markets Remain Highly Concentrated


The American Medical Association (AMA) has released its annual report analyzing market concentration among health insurers in the commercial and Medicare Advantage markets. The report finds that competition remained limited in 2024, with 97% of commercial insurance markets classified as highly concentrated. Notably, Illinois ranked sixth among the 10 states with the least competitive health insurance markets.

In 91% of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), at least one insurer held a commercial market share of 30% or more, and in 47% of MSAs, a single insurer controlled at least 50% of the market. Medicare Advantage markets showed a similar pattern, with 97% of markets deemed highly concentrated. In 90% of MSAs, at least one Medicare Advantage insurer held a market share of 30% or greater, while in 24% of MSAs, one insurer's share reached 50% or more.

Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers held the largest commercial market share in 84% of metropolitan areas, giving them the broadest geographic reach. Among individual insurers, Elevance Health had the largest footprint, serving as the leading insurer in 21% of metro areas.

In the Medicare Advantage market, UnitedHealth Group held the largest market share in 44% of metro areas, making it the most dominant insurer nationwide, followed by Humana, which led in 23% of metro areas.

AHA Blog: Putting 340B Program Growth in Context


An American Hospital Association (AHA) blog examines newly released data from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) on the growth of the 340B Drug Pricing Program. The analysis underscores that, when viewed in proper context, the data demonstrates the program's importance in helping address high and rising prescription drug prices while ensuring that drug manufacturers contribute to the healthcare safety net.

The blog explains that the 340B program's expansion over time reflects a combination of policy, market and technological factors. However, it emphasizes that no factor has been more significant than the escalating prices drug companies charge for both new and existing medications, which has increased reliance on the program among eligible providers.

The blog concludes by urging policymakers to protect and preserve the 340B program, noting that it enables eligible hospitals and providers to stretch limited resources, serve more patients, and offer a broader range of comprehensive services in their communities.

IDPH Recommends All Newborns Receive Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth


The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) yesterday reaffirmed its recommendation that newborns receive a universal hepatitis B vaccination to prevent hepatitis B, a serious viral infection that can lead to acute or chronic liver disease. IDPH said its guidance aligns with decades of scientific consensus and endorses recommendations from the Illinois Immunization Advisory Committee. The Department's announcement was issued in response to the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' decision this week to change longstanding federal guidance that called for universal birth vaccination against hepatitis B.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Tuesday that it adopted individual-based decision-making for parents deciding whether to give the hepatitis B vaccine, including the birth dose, to infants born to women who test negative for the virus. If infants do not receive the vaccine at birth, the CDC recommended they receive the initial dose no earlier than 2 months of age. No changes were made to existing CDC recommendations to vaccinate infants born to women who test positive for the virus or have an unknown virus status. The CDC will update the child immunization schedule to reflect the changes.

Fentanyl Designated Weapon of Mass Destruction


President Trump signed an executive order (EO) this week declaring illicit fentanyl a weapon of mass destruction. The EO classifies the narcotic as a chemical weapon and gives federal departments and agencies the authority to investigate and prosecute fentanyl trafficking, identify threats posed by illicit fentanyl, and pursue actions against those supporting the manufacture, sale and distribution of illicit fentanyl. The EO cautioned that the potential for fentanyl to be weaponized for "concentrated, large-scale terror attacks" poses a significant danger to the country. The term weapon of mass destruction has historically been used to define "radiological, chemical, biological, or other device that is intended to harm a large number of people," according to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security.
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