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
FDA Authorizes COVID-19 Boosters for Ages 12-15
On Jan. 3, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized COVID-19 booster shots for ages 12-15. Citing lab studies and Israeli data, the FDA has shortened the time frame between completion of the primary vaccination series with the Pfizer-BioNTech shot — the only one authorized for anyone 12 and older — and when someone can get a booster to at least five […]
CDPH Issues New All Facilities Letters on Dec. 22 Booster Mandate
On Dec. 22, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued a public health order that requires all eligible workers to receive their booster on or before Feb. 1. The order also requires twice-weekly testing for workers who are unvaccinated or workers who are vaccinated, due for a booster, but not currently boosted. As per the order’s FAQ, this testing regime […]
Testing for Booster-Eligible Workers Must be Fully Implemented by Jan. 7
After feedback from CHA, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) updated its FAQs on the Dec. 22 state public health order mandating boosters for health care workers. Specifically, CDPH clarified that — while testing for booster-eligible workers must begin on Dec. 27 — health facilities have until Jan. 7 to come into full compliance. The relevant text […]
Supreme Court to Hear CMS Vaccine Mandate Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Jan. 7 in the lawsuit challenging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) vaccine mandate for health care workers. CMS will not enforce the mandate while this case is pending. The court will also hear arguments on the federal OSHA vaccine-or-testing mandate for employees with more […]
CDC Updates Guidance on Managing Hospital Personnel with COVID-19 Infection or Exposure
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance for managing staff with COVID-19 infection or exposure to decrease the time that health care workers must isolate after infection/exposure. CDC has similarly updated its strategies to mitigate health care staffing shortages. Both web pages include a helpful chart called “Work Restrictions for […]
Boosters Now Mandated for Vaccinated Health Care Workers
Throughout the world, public health officials are attempting to contain the rapid spread of the new COVID-19 variant, omicron. California is facing extraordinary levels of omicron spread — last week, California had 5,400 diagnosed cases of the variant; as of yesterday, that jumped to 11,000 diagnosed cases. Similarly, the test positivity rate in California for […]
CHA FAQs on Staffing Shortages and Surges
In case you missed it, on Dec. 20 CHA released updated FAQs for Hospitals Facing Critical Staffing Shortages. In addition, CHA’s one-page COVID-19 Surges: FAQs & Resources for California Hospitals contains key information for hospitals facing surges.
President Biden Announces Additional Testing, Hospital Resources
Today, President Biden announced several new initiatives to help fight the pandemic as the omicron variant contributes to a surge in new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. The announcement focused on testing and support for hospitals as they experience capacity and personnel challenges. CHA is grateful for the hard work by our national partner, the American […]
Lawsuit Challenges Retroactive Coverage of COVID Testing
The California Association of Health Plans (CAHP) has filed a lawsuit to invalidate a provision in Senate Bill (SB) 510 that requires health plans and health insurers to pay for workplace COVID-19 testing performed retroactively to March 4, 2020 — the date Gov. Newsom declared a state of emergency due to the pandemic. SB 510 was signed by Gov. Newsom on Oct. 8 […]
CHA Updates FAQs for Hospitals Facing Critical Staffing Shortage
As the number of patients needing hospital care for COVID-19 again rises, CHA has updated its FAQs for Hospitals Facing Critical Staffing Shortages. These provide important resources for hospitals preparing for or experiencing workforce shortages. In addition, CHA’s COVID-19: FAQs & Resources for California Hospitals provides important information for hospitals on how to request additional staff from the Medical Health […]