CHA News

Gov. Newsom Previews 2024-25 State Budget Proposal Ahead of Jan. 10 Release

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What’s happening: In a high-level preview to reporters on Jan. 6, Gov. Gavin Newsom shared that his budget proposal features improved revenue projections, which help to keep the $322 billion spending plan in balance.  

What else to know: The preview took place during Newsom’s tour of the Central Valley to promote his economic vision for the state, which includes key themes of government accountability, reducing the cost of living, and keeping California competitive. 

Federal Funding Will Bolster Medi-Cal Reimbursement for Inpatient Psychiatric Care

What’s happening: On Dec. 16, California was approved for the large BH-CONNECT behavioral health demonstration project, which is estimated to bring $5 billion of new federal Medicaid dollars for California over the next five years.  

What else to know: During this time, BH-CONNECT will use the funds to test new approaches to behavioral health treatment, housing, and workforce development.  

2025 Rural Health Care Symposium Is Fast Approaching

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What’s happening: In just two months, on March 10-11, the 40th Rural Health Care Symposium will take place in Sacramento and will address the most pressing issues facing rural hospitals today.  

What else to know: The symposium will cover emerging trends and legislative challenges, updates on the Office of Health Care Affordability and the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program, and leveraging data to streamline operations and boost efficiencies, among many other topics. 

Timeline Undetermined for Implementation of AB 40 Regulations

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What’s happening: Due to state budget constraints, the state Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has not yet approved the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) regulations for public comment. 

What else to know: AB 40 passed in 2023 with the intent of improving long ambulance patient offload times (APOTs). Despite the delay on implementation, CHA continues pursuing opportunities to collaborate with health care partners to improve long APOTs, which affect the entire health care delivery system.  

Kicking Off 2025

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As we start the new year, many new faces will be coming to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Here in California, some three dozen new legislators have been sworn in and will take state office for the first time. In our nation’s capital, President-elect Trump is preparing to bring a different approach to, and new priorities for, health care policy than that of the Biden administration. 

HQI to Host Five-Part Webinar Series on Building a Hospital Safety Culture 

What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a five-part webinar series to address strategies for increasing patient safety and improving response to patient harm. 

What else to know: The series will provide a deep dive into the five domains of HQI’s flagship program, HQI Cares: BETA HEART®, and explore their alignment with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ new Patient Safety Structural Measure. 

CMS Responds to Congressional Letter Urging Adequate IRF Access

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What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure has responded to a congressional letter, signed by several members of the California delegation, that urged CMS to take steps that will ensure Medicare Advantage (MA) plan beneficiaries have access to medically necessary inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) care.  

What else to know: In the letter, Ms. Brooks-LaSure notes several recent rules issued by CMS that seek to ensure that MA plans adhere to CMS requirements, including network adequacy, prior authorization, and data collection. Ms. Brooks-LaSure also agrees to take the writers’ comments into consideration for future policy development.   

AHA Survey on 340B Rebate Model Closes Jan. 10

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What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking hospitals to complete a survey by Jan. 10 to help it understand how a 340B rebate model would impact 340B member hospitals. 

What else to know: Completing this 10-question survey will help AHA understand the financial, operational, and patient impacts that a rebate model — such as the one Johnson & Johnson sought to implement this year — would have on your hospital or health system.  

CHA Releases Summary of New Hospital Bed Tracking System

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What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) received the authority and funding to implement a real-time hospital bed capacity system through Assembly Bill 177. CDPH  plans to work with the Hospital Association of Oregon to implement the Healthcare Capacity System (HCS), developed by its affiliate, Apprise 

What else to know: CDPH selected HCS after an extensive search. The state’s goal is to use this data to monitor hospital surge and system capacity, understand regional needs,  develop policies, and position resources appropriately