What’s happening: California’s Civil Rights Council has approved new regulations aimed at reducing discriminatory use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems in employment-related decisions and extending the time employers must retain records.
What’s happening: At its April 22 meeting, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board voted 5-0 to move forward with reduced targets for a handful of hospitals. All other hospitals remain subject to the 3.5% target for 2025, which ramps down to 3% by 2029.
On Tuesday, the state’s Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) Board voted 5-0 to drastically cut how much seven California hospitals can spend to care for patients; this comes on top of below-inflation spending cuts for all hospitals that OHCA had already put in place.
What’s happening: On April 11, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on proposed changes to enrollment and eligibility policies for Affordable Care Act health insurance marketplaces.
In April 1974, President Richard Nixon signed Presidential Proclamation 4288, creating National Volunteer Week. Every year since then, each president has issued a new proclamation commemorating this celebration of those who give freely of their time to help others.
What’s happening: In just over two weeks, the 2025 Emergency Services Forum will take place in Newport Beach, where emergency services professionals will gather for a day of learning, discussion, and networking. Registration is open.
What else to know: At the forum, to be held May 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., attendees can expect dynamic sessions covering the latest updates in emergency services, insights into the evolving behavioral health landscape, an interactive Q&A forum, a closing session on the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act, and more.
What’s happening: Multiple bills addressing insurer accountability have been introduced in the California State Assembly during the current legislative session. On behalf of its member hospitals, CHA is supporting several bills that would improve the prior authorization process by reducing response times, clarifying reviewer qualifications, and/or reducing or eliminating prior authorization for certain services.
What else to know: CHA is also supporting bills that would require greater plan transparency for review, approval, and appeal results.
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient psychiatric facility (IPF) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 10.
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule — which falls short of what hospitals need to keep up with rising costs and health care needs.
What else to know: As a result of all proposed changes, CMS estimates that hospital inpatient payments will increase by $4 billion in FFY 2026. Comments on the proposed rule are due June 10.