Following State Bill Intro Deadline, Focus Remains on Financial Instability
Last Friday marked the deadline to introduce bills for the 2026 state legislative session. While the focus for this year will be on CHA’s two sponsored bills, there are several concerning pieces of legislation that will demand intensive engagement. (All told, about 1,800 bills have been introduced this year.)
CHA Hosts Legislative Briefing on AI in Health Care
What’s happening: On Feb. 24, CHA held a virtual briefing to educate legislative staff about artificial intelligence (AI) in health care — including its use, governance, and opportunities in California’s health care delivery system. What else to know: More than 50 legislative staff, including staff from the Assembly and Senate Health Committees and the Assembly Committee on Privacy and Consumer Protection, heard from three CHA member panelists: Matt Eisenberg, MD, associate chief medical information officer, Stanford Health Care Kristine Lee, MD, associate executive director,...
CDPH to Transition Online Application Portal Beginning Feb. 12
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released All Facilities Letter 26-06, which announces the transition of its online application system for general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals. The current system will be decommissioned at the close of business today, and the online application portal will be temporarily unavailable until...
CDPH Releases Guidance on Nurse Staffing Regulations Under Senate Bill 596
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter 26-04 on Senate Bill (SB) 596 (2025), which changes how violations of nurse-to-patient ratios are assessed and defines an on-call list.
CDPH Issues Reminder on Post-Survey Evaluations
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 26-02, which reminds facilities that an online evaluation is available to help improve the post-survey process.
CARB to Host Public Hearing on Reporting Rules
What’s happening: On Feb. 26, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will conduct a public hearing to consider approving adoption of the proposed climate data and financial risk reporting regulations.
HCAI Issues Revised Policy Intent Notice on Emergency Decontamination
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) recently revised Policy Intent Notice (PIN) 35 on emergency work authorization for health care decontamination facilities.
OSHPD Clarifies Emergency Work Authorization Process
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s Office of Statewide Hospital Planning and Development (OSHPD) has released a policy intent notice outlining its plans to standardize emergency work authorizations.
CMS Repeals Minimum Staffing Standards for Skilled-Nursing Facilities
What’s happening: On Dec. 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule that repeals minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities, which were finalized in 2024.
CDPH Releases Resources to Support Patient Safety Plan Submission Ahead of Jan. 1 Implementation
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released an All Facilities Letter (AFL) reminding providers of upcoming patient safety plan requirements, passed as part of Assembly Bill (AB) 3161 in 2024.