CHA News

CHA Comments on Medicare Advantage Proposals for 2026

What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2026.   

What else to know: Finalization of the proposed rule is expected in April — in time for MA plans to bid to CMS and offer MA products for plan year 2026. The rule, once finalized, will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.  

Health Facilities Must Work With College Nursing Programs on Clinical Placements

What’s happening: Effective Jan. 1, Assembly Bill (AB) 1577 (2024) added Section 12775 to the Health and Safety Code, requiring health facilities and clinics to meet with a community college or California State University that has an approved school of nursing upon the college’s request and work in good faith to meet the nursing program’s clinical placement needs.  

What else to know: Beginning in 2026, if a health facility or clinic lacks the capability or capacity to meet the college’s needs, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will require written justification within 30 days of the meeting, subject to a $1,000 fine for failure to provide the justification.