CHA News

CMS Issues FFY 2020 Long-Term Care Hospital PPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued the proposed rule for the long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system (LTCH PPS), as part of the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020.  The provisions in the proposed rule, if finalized, would be effective Oct. 1.

CMS Issues FFY 2020 IPPS Proposed Rule

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week released its federal fiscal year (FFY) 2020 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule. In addition to annual payment updates, including changes to Medicare disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, CMS proposes significant changes to the hospital area wage index. CHA believes this proposal inappropriately and unnecessarily punishes states like California with a high cost of living and is analyzing the impact of the proposal to determine an appropriate political and policy response.

SEIU-UHW Files Los Angeles Ballot Initiative to Limit Hospital Executive Compensation

On April 17, the Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West (UHW) filed a local ballot initiative with the city of Los Angeles that would place a cap on hospital executive compensation. The measure — called the “Public Health and Fair Pay for Hospital Executives Ordinance” — would cap total compensation for “covered executives” at no more than what the U.S. President is paid (currently $450,000 annually).

Health Care Providers Reminded to Be Vigilant in Identifying, Isolating Measles Cases

With 21 measles cases reported in California this year,  the California Department of Public Health has offered detailed recommendations — through All Facilities Letter 19-17 — for identifying and addressing the disease. The cases reported so far have resulted in hundreds of investigations of possible contact as well as transmission of the disease in emergency departments and other health care settings.