What’s happening: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health met this week to receive an update from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on the Distressed Hospital Loan Program (DHLP), as well as implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
(more…)Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health Gets Update on DHLP, Rural Health Transformation Program
CHA Pushes Back Against OHCA Board’s Desire to Fine Its Way to Affordability
What’s happening: Yesterday, the Office of Health Care Affordability board convened to discuss financial penalties for exceeding the spending targets, a baseline analysis of hospital spending growth between 2022 and 2023, and updates for the cost and market impact review program.
(more…)Ahead of June 1 Deadline for Psych Staffing Ratios, CDPH Accepting Program Flex Requests
What’s happening: As the June 1 deadline for free-standing acute psychiatric hospitals staffing ratios approaches, CHA is continuing conversations and advocacy with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to urge adjustments to the department’s draft regulations.
(more…)CHA’s Coyle Receives 2026 AHA Board of Trustees Award
What’s happening: CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle was one of four retiring state hospital association executives to receive the 2026 Board of Trustees Award at the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting earlier this week.
(more…)Final Week to Register for Cal HQ Quality Event-Now with Livestream Option
What’s happening: Hospital quality leaders are encouraged to register for Cal HQ’s in-person kickoff meeting on April 30 in Sacramento; a livestream option is also available.
(more…)Hospital Fee Program 9 Payment Policies Likely to Be Finalized in Early May
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has indicated that payment policies are likely to be finalized in early May for the revised Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2025 (Program 9), which was submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month. Soon after finalization, a model will be shared with member hospitals.
(more…)In Comments on Proposed APOT Regulations, CHA Urges Stronger Collaboration and Accurate Data Publication
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) on the proposed Chapter 1.2 Ambulance Patient Offload Time (APOT) regulations, which implement provisions of Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023).
(more…)CHA-Sponsored Ballot Initiative Crosses Major Milestone
Earlier this week, the Californians for Health Care Workers’ Right to Vote campaign submitted nearly 1 million signatures to county elections offices to qualify the Health Care Union Transparency, Accountability & Union Member Right to Vote Act for California’s November ballot.
(more…)CHA’s Two Sponsored Bills Make It Out of Assembly Health Committee
What’s happening: Despite the concerns of Chair Mia Bonta, both CHA-sponsored bills —Assembly Bill (AB) 1923 (Soria, D-Merced) and AB 2353 (Pacheco, D-Downey) — moved out of the Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday. AB 1923 would expand the Distressed Hospital Loan Program (DHLP) and AB 2353 would allow for additional cost analysis of proposed legislation and regulations that impact hospitals.
(more…)CHA Warns of Growing Financial Strain on Hospitals at Budget Subcommittee Hearing
What’s happening: On April 6, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to continue its overview of the state’s budget condition and impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
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