IHA Daily Briefing: January 23

HSHS President and CEO Damond Boatwright Presides Over First Meeting as IHA Board Chair
Damond Boatwright, President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), today presided over his first meeting as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). Boatwright 's one-year term as Board Chair began on Jan. 1, 2026.

"I've had the pleasure of working closely with Damond in various roles on the IHA board and know that he will do an excellent job serving as our new board chair," said A.J. Wilhelmi, IHA President and CEO. "Damond brings an extraordinary depth of experience and a proven record of leadership to this role. I look forward to the insight, collaboration, and strategic perspective he will bring to IHA as we address critical health policy issues on behalf of our membership."

IHA welcomes six new Board members in 2026, including:

• Kavitha Bhatia, MD, President and Chair, Prime Healthcare Foundation and Chief Medical Officer of Strategy, Prime Healthcare

• Mandy Eaton, PhD, President & CEO, Memorial Health

• Matt Kolb, EVP & Chief Operating Officer, Carle Health

• Erik Mikaitis, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Cook County Health

• Michael Mutterer, President & CEO, Silver Cross Hospital

• Sean O'Grady, President, Acute and Ambulatory Operations, Endeavor Health

More information on Boatwright and IHA's new board members can be found on the IHA website here.

Federal Appropriations Package Passed, Extends Key Healthcare Provisions
The House yesterday voted 341-88 to pass a multi-bill minibus for fiscal year (FY) 2026 that includes funding for key health programs. The bill includes notable program extensions, including a one-year extension of the Medicare-dependent hospital and low-volume adjustment programs, a two-year extension of telehealth flexibilities, and a five-year extension of hospital-at-home flexibilities. Additionally, payment reductions for clinical laboratory services are delayed by one year and the package eliminates Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts until FY 2028. Additional funding was directed to key initiatives for rural health, healthcare workforce, maternal and child health and behavioral health programs. The legislation now moves to the Senate, which is expected to consider the funding package next week.

Hospitals Encouraged to Share SNAP Updates with Patients
This week, the Illinois Dept. of Human Services (DHS) released a summary of resources for the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), following the announcement of significant changes to the program. SNAP provides food benefits to low-income families to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford nutritious food essential to health and well-being. Approximately 90% of SNAP customers are on Medicaid.

Due to new federal requirements, on Feb. 1, 2026, a new definition of Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWDs) will go into effect for SNAP benefits that restricts access to the program through work requirements. These ABAWD will only be able to receive SNAP benefits for three months in a three-year period before losing eligibility. That means beginning May 1, 2026, the following ABAWDs who do not meet or who are not exempt from work requirements could lose benefits:

• People ages 55-64 years old with no disabilities (in addition to 19-54-year-olds);

• People with children at home who are only 14 years or older; and

• Eliminating previous exemptions for people who are homeless, veterans, and youth aging out of foster care.

Hospitals statewide are encouraged to share the following resources with patients and their families to ensure as many Illinoisans stay on SNAP as possible after May 1, 2026. Resources include:

• SNAP customers can use the ABE: SNAP Work Requirements screener to see if they are subject to, meet, or may be eligible to seek an exemption from work requirements.

• DHS' partners at the Greater Chicago Food Depository (GCFD) have created a toolkit to share information via social media, presentations, and flyers. This is meant to be used before Feb. 1. To share this information without the GCFD logo, you can find those materials here.

• DHS will continue to provide updates with customers and the general public through a variety of channels, including Facebook, LinkedIn, and its SNAP Federal Impact Center website.

Separately, DHS is working to keep new state cost-sharing as low as possible for SNAP beginning Oct. 1, 2027 (which has been 100% federal to this point), by meeting federal payment error rate goals by July 2027.

Staff contact: Lia Daniels

New Study Shows U.S. Poison Centers Save the Nation Billions Each Year
U.S. Poison Centers save $3.1 billion every year in medical costs and lost productivity, according to a new independent study released on Wednesday by America's Poison Centers®. Conducted by RAND, the report confirms that poison centers provide substantial economic and societal benefits for communities across the country. The Illinois Poison Center (IPC), operated by the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, responds to approximately 70,000 cases annually, providing critical services to prevent poisonings and 24/7 expert support to families and individuals in the community.

The RAND report, Poison Prevention, Treatment, and Detection as Public Health Investments, found that for every $1 invested in poison center services, communities receive $16.77 in benefits. These cost-saving benefits reflect reduced emergency department use, shortened hospital stays, decreased mortality risk, enhanced public health surveillance, and improved patient outcome.

"This study underscores the essential role our clinicians play in communities every day," said IPC Medical Director Michael Wahl, MD. "As the nation's oldest poison center, we are proud to join poison centers nationwide in providing fast access to specialists that keeps people safe at home, prevents costly emergency room visits, and supports providers caring for complex cases."

Illinois Respiratory Disease Surveillance Data