As California’s hospitals continue their life-saving work during the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospital associations continue to advocate on behalf of hospitals and their patients, in addition to offering these tools and resources:
About Coronavirus
State Waivers Set to Expire
On June 11, Gov. Newsom issued Executive Order E-08-21, which establishes expiration dates for certain waivers of state laws implemented due to the COVID-19 state of emergency. CHA has created a chart identifying the waivers that impact hospitals and their expiration dates.
CHA Issues Updated Overview of Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements
On June 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released updated Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements. As requested by CHA and others, the revised guidance extends the time granted to recipients to use the funds. CHA developed an updated overview of the PRF requirements.
CDPH Updates Hospital Visitor Recommendations, Continues to Require Face Coverings for Visitors
With the state moving beyond the Blueprint for a Safer Economy as of June 15, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued updated recommendations for hospital visitation and continues to require face coverings for individuals visiting hospitals and other health care facilities.
As Pandemic Wanes, CHA Social Media Campaign Reminds Californians That Care Can’t Wait
To coincide with the state’s June 15 reopening, CHA has launched a social media campaign with updated messaging around emergency room avoidance. These social media posts are meant to encourage people to get back to routine care now that COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the decline and vaccinations rates are high. This Twitter and Facebook campaign is scheduled to run for four weeks.
HRSA Provides Funding to Rural Health Clinics for COVID-19 Testing and Mitigation
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) issued $424.7 million in funding to over 4,200 Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) for COVID-19 testing and mitigation, providing $100,000 per RHC. Funds will be used to maintain and increase COVID-19 testing, expand access to testing for rural residents and broaden efforts to mitigate the spread of the virus in ways tailored to […]
HHS Extends Deadline to Use Certain Provider Relief Funds, Announces Reporting Deadlines
On June 11, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released updated Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting requirements. As requested by CHA and others, the revised guidance extends the time granted to recipients to use the funds. The table below illustrates that the time frame for using and reporting PRFs will now occur on a rolling basis based on when the funds were received.
CDPH Encourages Hospitals to Vaccinate Patients for COVID-19 Prior to Discharge
In an effort to further advance COVID-19 vaccination, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is encouraging general acute care hospitals and acute psychiatric hospitals to vaccinate patients prior to discharge. CDPH makes this recommendation in All Facilities Letter (AFL) 21-20 , which was released on June 9.
CDPH Updates Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing at General Acute Care Hospitals
On June 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released updated COVID-19 testing recommendations for both health care personnel (HCP) and patients at general acute care hospitals (GACHs). The revised All Facilities Letter (AFL) 20-88.1 reflects updated recommendations in light of HCP and patients now, in many cases, being fully vaccinated.
CMS Increases Payments for Administration of At-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced an additional payment amount for administering in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to homebound Medicare beneficiaries.
Coronavirus Response Newsletter
Today will be the last day of this regular email update. After today, CHA will provide regular updates related to the COVID-19 pandemic through its twice-weekly newsletter, CHA News. Staff at member hospitals who don’t currently receive CHA News may subscribe on the CHA website.