IHA Daily Briefing: August 13

REGISTER: Forum on Workforce Strategy and Reducing Workplace Violence
An in-person leadership forum -just two weeks away-will focus on building a sustainable workforce model that balances various types of labor, while reducing reliance on premium contingent labor, a concern expressed by hospital and health system leaders. IHA and Medical Solutions are jointly hosting "Shaping the Future Healthcare Workforce: A Leadership Forum" on Thursday, Aug. 27. The complimentary event will be held from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. CT at Northern Illinois University in Naperville, home to IHA's suburban Chicago office.

Along with national experts, you'll hear from IHA policy leaders Lance Kovacs and Lia Daniels on Illinois workforce issues. Kovacs, Assistant Vice President, Health Policy and Regulation, will provide an update on the Illinois Health Care Workforce Task Force. Daniels, Senior Director, Health Policy and Finance, will moderate a discussion on hospital efforts to address workplace violence, featuring:

• Trish Fairbanks, MSN, RN, CENP, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Endeavor Health Edward Hospital;
• Scott Grandt, Regional Public Safety Director, Loyola Medicine; and
• Christine Quinlan, MS, RN, Vice President of Nursing/CNO, Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital.

There is no fee to attend. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and continuing education credits will be available. The event will also feature a drawing for free registration at IHA Leadership Summit on Oct. 1-2. Attend the forum to strengthen your workforce strategy and network with peer leaders. Register today.

Staff contact: Patrick Sonin

IDPH Guidance to Help Avoid Common Errors for Newborn Screening EMR Submissions
The Illinois Dept. of Public Health (IDPH) recently alerted hospitals and other healthcare providers that information provided through the Newborn Screening Program has witnessed increased discrepancies between demographic information transmitted through electronic submissions (HL7) and information contained on received newborn screening cards. IDPH emphasized that "complete and accurate demographic information is essential when submitting newborn screening blood card specimens and electronic orders." An IDPH guidance document can be found here to help you ensure that the correct information is provided to the IDPH Newborn Screening Program.

HRSA Announces Modernized Framework for Newborn Screening Review
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced a modernized framework for addressing national newborn screening topics including evaluating conditions to include in the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel (RUSP), the national guideline that informs newborn screening programs across the country. According to a news release, the new approach is designed to build efficiency, increase transparency, and better respond to scientific advances.

Each year, states and territories screen more than 3.6 million newborns for serious heritable conditions that can lead to disability or death if left untreated. Nearly all state newborn screening programs use the RUSP to determine which conditions to include in their screening panels.

HRSA is providing supplemental funding to the Association of Public Health Laboratories through the National Center for Newborn Screening Systems Excellence. The organization will convene a new stakeholder workgroup and develop findings and recommendations for HRSA's review and consideration. For more information, click here.

CMS Final Rule on Medicaid, CHIP Funding of Gender-Affirming Care for Children
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule barring states from receiving federal matching funds for certain gender-affirming services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries under the age of 18, and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) beneficiaries under the age of 19 in certain states. States may continue to cover these services using state-only funding. It is not yet clear whether the Illinois Dept. of Healthcare and Family Services will continue to fund these services using state-only funding. IHA will keep members updated as additional information becomes available. CMS said in a press release that federal Medicaid and CHIP funding will remain available for up to six months after the rule takes effect for children currently receiving hormone therapy. Coverage for specified mental health services is unaffected. The final rule is scheduled to take effect Oct. 13.

Spotlight on IHA Business Resources: Illinois Provider Trust
Financial stability, tailored services and program ownership are among the top reasons nonprofit hospitals seek membership through a shared risk pool. Since 1978, the member-owned risk-pooling trust Illinois Provider Trust (IPT) has delivered financially stable coverage to hospitals and has paid back to members over $150 million in dividends over the past 48 years.

Focused exclusively on Illinois hospitals, IPT offers medical professional and general liability coverage centered on improving care quality, reducing risk, and controlling costs. IPT clients benefit from exceptional service, noted through consistently high client satisfaction scores and long-term client relationships.

IPT provides proactive and collaborative claims and risk management services designed to help reduce liability. See our flyer to learn more.

Staff contacts: Amy Tozzi and Rebecca Finneran

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data