CHA News

CHA Board Discusses COVID-19 Impact and Response

For CEOs, government relations executives

At its April 30 meeting, the CHA Board of Trustees discussed several aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including: 

  • The policy work completed to date that supports hospitals’ efforts to prepare for surge capacity ​
  • Advocacy work in the coming months related to: 
    • Restarting deferred and preventive care 
    • Pursuing financial relief for hospitals 
    • Testing expansion 
    • Preparations for a potential second wave of COVID-19 

On the financial relief work ahead, conservative estimates put California’s short-term hospital losses at more than $10 billion. Multiple relief sources will be pursued, including federal and state funding, payments from health insurance companies, and regulatory reform on the seismic mandate. 

On restarting hospital services, expanding COVID-19 testing will be a critical piece, as will how hospitals plan for adding surge capacity in the future. Work on a plan for future surges will take place over the next month before it is presented to the state.