What’s happening: The California Supreme Court has upheld the Court of Appeal in Los Angeles’ (Division 5) decision to keep an unfavorable ruling for hospitals unpublished, ensuring it cannot be cited as precedent in future cases involving insurers and reimbursement for emergency services. The case involved a request from the California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) to publish an opinion in favor of United Healthcare against Prime Healthcare.
(more…)California Supreme Court Blocks Publication of Unfavorable Ruling for Hospitals
Learn More About Statewide Collaborative to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
What’s happening: Last month, Cal HQ — a statewide, cross-industry collaborative working to improve hospital quality through aligned action — held a preview webinar. Hospitals that are still exploring whether Cal HQ is the right fit can learn more in one of two recruitment webinars on Jan. 29 at 10 a.m. (PT) or Feb. 18 at 10 a.m. (PT).
(more…)CMS to Host Jan. 28 Webinar on Hospital Quality Star Ratings Update
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid will hold a webinar on Jan. 28 at 11 a.m. (PT) to discuss the upcoming Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings refresh.
(more…)OHCA Advisory Committee Solicits Applications for New Committee Members, Discusses Spending Target Enforcement at Latest Meeting
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) is seeking applications to serve on its advisory committee, which provides input to the office on topics ranging from the spending target methodology and sectors to workforce and quality standards. CHA encourages members to apply by the March 31 deadline, as input from health care experts is critical to ensuring OHCA’s policies support patient care.
(more…)CHA’s Health Care Worker ‘Right to Vote’ Act Reaches First Signature Milestone
What’s happening: CHA’s sponsored ballot measure — The Health Care Union Transparency, Accountability & Union Member Right to Vote Act — has reached 25% of the signatures needed to qualify for the November 2026 statewide ballot.
(more…)Psychiatric Staffing Ratio Proposal Would Immediately Upend Care
A dangerous and detrimental staffing ratio mandate for freestanding psychiatric hospitals that would make it harder for Californians to get treatment for mental health disorders is careening toward approval.
(more…)CHA Pushes Back on State’s Effort to Prematurely End OHCA Legal Challenge
What’s happening: On Jan. 15, CHA submitted its latest legal filing in the case against the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA). In December, OHCA’s attorneys asked the court to dismiss CHA’s lawsuit, alleging CHA and its members lack standing and did not sufficiently plead their case in the original challenge. CHA’s filing objects to OHCA’s request and demonstrates that the OHCA decisions on spending targets and related matters are ripe for judicial review.
(more…)Proposed Staffing Regulations Will Immediately Reduce Psychiatric Hospital Beds, Upending Behavioral Health Care in California
In a proposal that is as baffling as it is irresponsible, new regulations from the California Department of Public Health will prevent Californians from getting the mental health care they desperately need.
(more…)Inpatient Post-Acute Care Transfer Policy Analysis Shows Impact on FFS Payments
What’s happening: DataSuite has issued hospital-specific analyses of the inpatient post-acute care transfer (PACT) adjustment policy. The analysis shows the estimated impact on Medicare inpatient fee-for-service payments, and corresponding Medicare severity diagnosis-related group (MS-DRG) volumes from the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) during federal fiscal years 2021-26.
(more…)Cal/OSHA Standards Boards to Hold Advisory Committee Meeting on Surgical Smoke
What’s happening: On Jan. 20, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board will hold an advisory committee meeting on occupational exposure to plume (surgical smoke) in health care from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) via Zoom.
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