State Submits Application for Funding to Support Rural Health Transformation
This week, the state submitted its application for California’s share of $50 billion in funding available through the new federal Rural Health Transformation Program.
CHA News
CHA Comments on Regulations Limiting LVN-Provided Respiratory Care
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Respiratory Care Board of California (RCB) expressing concerns about new regulations that restrict the tasks licensed vocational nurses (LVNs) may perform, therefore limiting hospitals’ and other care providers’ ability to meet their patients’ needs.
DHCS Updates Grievance and Appeals Requirements Information
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has republished the State Hearing Form to include a few technical changes to All Plan Letter 21-011, which addresses grievance and appeal requirements for Medi-Cal Managed Care Plans.
CHA, Stakeholders Offer Support for CA’s Transformation Program Application
What’s happening: Ahead of the state’s submission of its Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) application, CHA and seven other advocacy organizations wrote a letter of support urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to approve California’s application.
CHA Urges Congress to Retroactively Delay Medicaid DSH Payment Reductions
What’s happening: CHA joined California’s public, private, and community safety-net hospitals in urging Congress to retroactively delay the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payment cuts that went into effect on Oct. 1.
OHCA Board Continues Enforcement Discussion, Fails to Clarify Process
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board convened on Oct. 28 and continued the spending target enforcement discussion that began in July. The meeting focused on waivers from enforcement and the first two steps of the enforcement process (technical assistance and public testimony).
Hospitals Should Prepare for Major NHSN Data Rebaselining
What’s happening: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) has officially rebaselined standardized infection ratios (SIRs) from the 2015 national baseline to a 2022 baseline.
HCAI Releases Comprehensive Seismic Compliance Resource
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI’s) Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) has created a comprehensive resource with upcoming deadlines and accompanying resources for all seismic compliance requirements.
AB 1882 Reports Due to HCAI by Jan. 1
What’s happening: Every year under Assembly Bill (AB) 1882 (2022), general acute care hospitals are required to report to the Department of Health Care and Information (HCAI) the structural performance category (SPC) ratings of their buildings and the services provided in each one. Buildings classified as SPC-3/NPC-5, SPC-4D/NPC-5, SPC-4/NPC-5, or SPC-5/NPC-5, are not subject to the reporting requirements.
Key Priorities for 2026 Shaping Up
As your association looks to the coming year to advance policies that support the critical services California hospitals provide, three key areas are coming into sharper focus: