CHA News

Engage Now: OHCA Could Decide Hospital Sector Targets on April 22

What’s happening: At its April 22 board meeting, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board will review stakeholder feedback on staff’s recommended hospital sector spending targets and could adopt the proposal in its current, or a modified, form. CHA urges hospital representatives to submit letters in opposition by April 18 and attend the meeting, either in person or virtually, to provide public comment asking the board reject the proposed hospital sector target recommendations.  

District Court Rejects Federal SNF Staffing Requirements

What’s happening: On April 7, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacated key portions of the minimum staffing requirements for skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).  

What else to know: The court ruled that CMS’ standardized numerical minimums were inconsistent with existing federal law passed by Congress in 1987.  

Upcoming Webinar Shares Progress on HQI’s Health Equity Reporting Tool

What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute’s (HQI’s) fourth and final webinar on reporting hospital equity measures to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) under Assembly Bill 1204 (2021) will take place April 23 from 10-11 a.m. (PT). 
 
What else to know: This webinar will share essential updates on HQI’s tool to aid hospitals in creating their health equity report, due to HCAI by Sept. 30, and walk attendees through the submission portal. Registration is open.  

CHA, Stakeholders Urge Quick Movement on Payment Methodology

What’s happening: At the inaugural Proposition (Prop) 35 “Protect Access to Health Care Act” Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting, held April 14, CHA and other stakeholders urged the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to move forward quickly with a payment methodology that meets two primary goals.  

What else to know: Stakeholders urged the committee to develop a payment methodology that will not only be approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (a requirement for the state to receive federal funding), but also ensure that hospitals receive 2025 and 2026 payments — totaling as much as $1.4 billion — without unnecessary delays.  

EMSA Withdraws AB 40 Emergency Regulations

What’s happening: On April 14, the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) released a withdrawal notice for its proposed Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) emergency regulations.  

What else to know: EMSA stated that it would take “this opportunity to revisit and refine the proposed regulations to better reflect the needs, values, and practical realities of the communities we serve.” 

Rep. Matsui Raises Concerns About Tariffs’ Effects on Medical Supply Chains

What’s happening: Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA-7) lead a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on concerns about the effect tariffs would have on supply chains for medical supplies, generic drugs, and medical devices.  

What else to know: Twenty-six members of Congress signed on to the letter, including 11 from the California congressional delegation. 

Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1

What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.  

What else to know: In 2024, the Office of Administrative Law approved HCAI’s regulations to implement AB 1392. This year, the new reporting requirements are fully in effect — and HCAI has developed a new template to support and inform this updated reporting. 

DHCS Community Support Updates Take Effect July 1

What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has updated service definitions for four of the 14 community supports that Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) may offer as part of the state’s Medi-Cal reform effort, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). The four updated service definitions go into effect July 1. 

CMS Finalizes Medicare Advantage, Part D Rule for 2026

What’s happening: In its finalized changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D prescription drug programs for contract year 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) struck most of the Biden-era proposals and declined to finalize additional insurer accountability provisions.  

What else to know: The rule, which did not address several other proposals (detailed below), is effective Jan. 1, 2026.