CHA News

Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH Receives Prestigious Health Care Leadership Award

Elaine Batchlor, MD, MPH, founding CEO of Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles, has been honored with the Partners in Care Foundation’s Vision & Excellence in Healthcare Leadership Award. Dr. Batchlor received the award for her forward-thinking leadership in building a responsive model of community-wide care at the hospital.

VA Issues Final Rule Implementing Veterans Community Care Program

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has issued its final rule implementing the criteria for determining when covered veterans may elect to receive necessary hospital, medical, and extended care services from non-VA entities or providers under the Veterans Community Care Program. The final rule became effective June 6, when the Veterans Community Care Program replaced the Veterans Choice Program, as required by the MISSION Act of 2018.

CDPH Issues Hot Summer Weather Advisory

The California Department of Public Health’s Licensing and Certification Program has issued a reminder to health care facilities that, as the hot summer weather begins, they should have contingency plans in place to deal with the potential loss of air conditioning; ensure patients and residents are free of adverse conditions that may cause heat-related complications; and report extreme heat conditions that compromise patient health or require evacuation, transfer, or discharge of patients. More information and guidance are available in All Facilities Letter 19-21.

Legislature Makes Budget Decisions on Key Health Care Issues

Over the weekend, the Legislature’s budget conference committee completed its work of negotiating the differences between the Governor’s, Assembly’s, and Senate’s budgets. The Senate and Assembly now need to approve the final budget bill and the accompanying trailer bills and send them to the Governor no later than June 15, for his approval by July 1. 

U.S. Pharmacopeia Publishes New and Revised Compounding Standards

The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has released newly revised standards to assist health care practitioners in consistently producing high-quality compounded medicines that are the right strength and free of contaminants. The final USP 797, USP 825, and USP 795 and General Chapter 800 standards will take effect Dec. 1.