New this year, hospitals participating in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Hospital Inpatient Quality Reporting Program must attest to specific patient safety practices. IHA’s Midwest Alliance for Patient Safety is offering a March 13 workshop on strategies to strengthen patient safety. The virtual workshop, “CMS Patient Safety Structural Measure: Best Practices to Enhance Safety,” is open to all IHA members.

Become a 2025 IHA Corporate Sponsor for access to top decision-makers at Illinois hospitals and health systems. We offer year-round recognition and visibility, with IHA’s signature events the centerpiece of the program: IHA Small & Rural Hospitals Annual Meeting (June 12 in Springfield) and IHA Leadership Summit (Sept. 25-26 in Oak Brook). Our sponsorship packages offer a wide range of opportunities.

Illinois’ 86 small and rural hospitals account for 38% of all hospitals in the state and contribute $16 million annually to the economy. With distinct characteristics from their urban counterparts, small and rural hospitals ensure access to high-quality care to 1.6 million residents in rural areas. Nearly 98% of these hospitals have fewer than 150 beds and 64% are Critical Access Hospitals.

Pharmaceutical companies have been limiting access to lifesaving drugs through the federal 340B drug discount program since 2020, counter to the 32-year-old law that created the program. As a result, participating hospitals have seen significant drops in savings—up to 75% over three years—which they use to reduce costs and enhance services for low-income patients.