As 2024 begins to come to a close, CHA’s advocacy attention will be focused on advancing priorities in Washington, D.C. We’ll be pushing to ensure federal approval for two critical state issues while also focusing on some key federal issues likely in play in the lame duck session.
First, we’re working with a broad coalition to finalize the next iteration of the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program, which provides essential funding — estimated to be more than $8 billion in net benefit to California hospitals in 2025 alone — that helps keep pace with soaring expenses and reimbursement that doesn’t cover the cost of care. Despite the funding from this vital lifeline, more than half of hospitals still lose money every day providing patient care.
Second, we’re working with state officials and elected leaders — along with the California Medical Association, Planned Parenthood, and other coalition partners — to ensure that funds from the recently passed Proposition 35 begin flowing to health care providers, bolstering critical resources for the nearly 15 million Californians covered by Medi-Cal (as much as $1.4 billion for hospital care in 2025, growing to an estimated $2.6 billion in 2027).
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for these and other California priorities. If successful, these efforts will bring billions to California — money that is desperately needed to provide care to all who rely on hospitals.
Finally, as the 118th Congress wraps up its work ahead of next year, we’re urging support for a variety of issues important to hospitals, including a delay of scheduled Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts, 340B Drug Pricing Program protections, support for rural and critical access hospitals, improved prior authorization for seniors’ health care, and more. If you haven’t already, please take a moment to read CHA’s advocacy alert sent earlier this week to add your organization to the chorus calling for congressional support.
