Rural Health Care Matters
I had the privilege earlier this week to welcome and join one of the most important gatherings of rural health care leaders in California: CHA’s annual Rural Health Care Symposium.
CHA News
Recording of Hospital Fee Program Executive Briefing Now Available
What’s happening: A recording of CHA’s March 18 executive briefing on the Hospital Fee Program is now available for members who may have missed it.
New Documents Available on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) has released two documents — FAQs and briefing slides — on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
CHA Joins Lawmakers, Hospital Leaders at San Diego Health Care Roundtable
What’s happening: On March 20, CHA participated in a health care roundtable hosted by Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D‑Carlsbad) and Scripps Health. The event, which was held at Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, brought together California lawmakers and health care leaders from the San Diego region to discuss key issues hospitals are facing.
OHCA Board Pushes for Reconsideration of High-Cost Hospital Designations
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board met on March 25, where it pushed the office to create a process to revise “high-cost” hospital determinations if based on faulty data. The board also deliberated over the process for providers to obtain adjustments to their spending targets related to the growth in non-supervisory organized labor costs.
CHA Document Details Considerations for Freestanding ED Model
What’s happening: Recognizing that some hospital leaders have expressed interest in the concept of freestanding emergency departments (EDs) — which are not currently permitted in California — CHA has developed a document that outlines the current regulatory landscape and key considerations for this type of service model.
State Files Revised Hospital Fee Program Application
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted its revised Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2025 (Program 9) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
CARB Approves Climate Transparency Reporting Regulation
What’s happening: At its February meeting, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved the adoption of the California Greenhouse Gas Reporting and Climate Financial Risk Disclosure Initial Regulation, an initial step in meeting the regulatory requirements of Senate Bills (SB) 253 and 261.
Registration Deadline Approaching for Cal HQ’s Hospital Quality Kickoff Event
What’s happening: Hospital quality leaders have until March 27 to register for Cal HQ’s in-person kickoff meeting, to be held April 14 in Long Beach and April 30 in Sacramento.
Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group Discusses Draft Priorities
What’s happening: The Advisory Group for the Future of Medi-Cal Commission held its second meeting on March 3. The group met to review and provide feedback on draft priorities that will help shape the commission’s recommendations for the long-term direction of California’s Medicaid program.