IHA Letter to Delegation Requests Additional Resources

May 11, 2020

In a letter sent today to the Illinois Congressional delegation, IHA President & CEO A.J. Wilhelmi urged additional direct funding for hospitals be included in the next COVID-19 response legislation. Additionally, Wilhelmi requested support for liability protections, improvements to the repayment terms for the Medicare Accelerated Payment program, increased access to health insurance coverage, and for bonus pay, childcare, transportation and other services to be provided to frontline and essential workers through the tax code.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating economic impact on the state of Illinois. Without federal aid to offset hospitals' revenue losses and forthcoming reductions in the state budget, patients and communities will suffer. As the virus continues to take its toll on Illinoisans, it is clear more needs to be done if we are to slow the spread, save lives and protect our healthcare workers," Wilhelmi wrote in the letter.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is expected to release a Democratic bill this week, which could top $2 trillion. Meanwhile, Senate Republicans, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) say the upper chamber will wait until at least late May or early June to consider its own package. McConnell has also drawn a clear line on the issue of liability saying he will oppose any bill that does not protection for businesses.