[The following is a paid advertisement.]

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken an emotional, physical and financial toll on Illinois’ hospital community. Pre-pandemic, over 40% of Illinois hospitals were losing money or operating on slim margins of less than 2%. Now, in the wake of COVID-19, hospital staffing costs have jumped by up to 20%, due in large part to the exorbitant rates being charged by nurse staffing agencies. Record inflation is driving up other operating costs.

Hospitals are shouldering this significant financial burden, but this situation is not sustainable. Without securing the resources and support necessary to provide much-needed stability, hospitals will be forced to make difficult choices, including reduction or closure of service lines, impacting patient care, or even closure of some of the state’s most vulnerable hospitals.

To preserve and promote access to care for patients and communities across Illinois, the Illinois Health and Hospital Association urges the General Assembly to pass IHA’S 3-pronged legislative package, including:

• Reauthorization of the $3.8 billion Hospital Assessment Program.
• A one-time $350 million in hospital assessment tax relief in the next fiscal year.
• $68 million for Safety Net Hospital Health Equity grants to support all safety net hospitals.

Support IHA’s legislative package to ensure Illinois hospitals can remain focused on the mission of caring for patients in their time of need.