CHA News

Hospitals: Let Congress Know How Medicaid Cuts Will Impact People, Communities

What’s happening: As Congress works on a federal budget for 2026 that could result in devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), it is imperative that all hospital leaders let members of Congress know directly the impact these cuts will have on the people and communities they represent. Representatives will be home in their districts from April 11-27, which is an excellent time to invite your representative to come visit their local hospital.

2025 Consent Law Seminar Covers Federal Health Care Guidelines, Recent State Statutes

What’s happening: On April 23 and May 19, CHA is hosting the 2025 Consent Law Seminar in Burbank and Sacramento, respectively; a livestream option is also available for the May 19 date.  

What else to know: The seminar will cover new federal health care guidelines and recent state statutes, including how, together, Assembly Bill 2275 and Senate Bill 43 impact involuntary holds. Visit the event web page to register and view the full agenda.  

OHCA Board Reviews Initial Feedback on Hospital Sector Target Proposal, But Persistent Hospital Engagement Is Needed

What’s happening: At the Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA’s) March 25 board meeting, the board discussed the hospital sector proposal and reviewed initial feedback from interviews with hospitals. While no final decisions or changes were made, the board signaled openness to reintroducing a limited exclusion for small hospitals. 

What else to know: In written and verbal comments, CHA and hospital members pushed back against OHCA’s high-cost hospital proposal, finding it premature, based on anomalous data and biased methodologies — and certain to significantly harm access to high-quality hospital care in communities throughout California.  

Upcoming Webinar Explains HQI Solution to Hospital Equity Reporting Challenges

What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a service that provides 95% of the information hospitals are required to report by Sept. 30 under Assembly Bill 1204. HQI is hosting a webinar on April 10 addressing the challenges hospitals encounter in equity reporting and how its Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP) can simplify this process.  

What else to know: The webinar will share practical strategies and tools to assist hospitals in meeting the mandatory health equity reporting requirements. This is the third in a four-part series; more information can be found on HQI’s website.  

Summary on Affordable Care Act Marketplace Integrity Proposed Rule Now Available 

What’s happening: A summary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability proposed rule for health insurance marketplaces — including issuers, agents, and brokers who assist marketplace enrollees — is available for CHA members.  

What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule, which alters several policies, are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by April 11.  

Post-Acute Care Transfer Policy Analysis for FFYs 2020-25 Shows Estimated Impact on Medicare Inpatient FFS Payments and More

What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis of the inpatient post-acute care transfer (PACT) adjustment policy that shows the estimated impact on Medicare inpatient fee-for-service (FFS) payments.  

What else to know: The analysis also shows corresponding Medicare severity diagnosis-related group (MS-DRG) volumes from the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) during federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2020-25.  

AHA, Health-ISAC Warn of Potential Terror Threat Targeted at Hospitals

What’s happening: On March 18, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC) saw a social media post indicating concern for a coordinated, multi-city terrorist attack on low-security hospitals in mid-tier cities in the coming weeks, and released a bulletin on March 19 to spread awareness.  

What else to know: Although the threat’s credibility cannot be verified at this time, the AHA and Health-ISAC recommend that hospitals review and evaluate the coordination and capabilities of physical security, cybersecurity, and emergency management plans, and spread internal awareness of this potential threat.  

CHA Board Member Testifies Before Assembly Health Committee

What’s happening: Earlier this week, Lori Morgan, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Huntington Health in Pasadena — who is also a member of the boards of both CHA and the American Hospital Association — shared an important perspective before the state Assembly Health Committee on how the Los Angeles fires impacted surrounding communities and the role of hospitals in California’s response to this and other disasters. 

What else to know: Dr. Morgan’s testimony was an important opportunity to share perspective on hospitals’ unique role in disaster response and the ways that state government can be helpful before, during, and after crises to ensure an efficient, rapid response that delivers care for Californians.