About Finance & Reimbursement
Vulnerable Californians who rely on the care provided by California hospitals are at risk. Driven by skyrocketing costs for labor, pharmaceuticals, regulatory mandates, and more, 53% of all hospitals statewide lose money every day to deliver patient care.
That isn’t sustainable. And California is already seeing the frightening result: rural health care services being cut to the bone, severe behavioral health care needs not being met, and more.
CHA Alert: Urge Lawmakers to Support Funding for Distressed Hospital Loan Program
What’s happening: Yesterday, CHA issued an alert asking members to write to the Senate and Budget Committee chairs and support the request for a one-time appropriation of $300 million for the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, as well as statutory changes to advance the program.
CHA Warns of Growing Financial Strain on Hospitals at Budget Subcommittee Hearing
What’s happening: On April 6, the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing to continue its overview of the state’s budget condition and impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
Urge Legislators to Support Funding for Distressed Hospital Loan Program
DHCS Issues RFI to Shape Comprehensive Hospital Value Strategy
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued a request for information that seeks to collect input from stakeholders and shape DHCS’ comprehensive “Hospital Value Strategy.” The RFI deadline is April 17.
State Submits Hospital Fee Program 10 to CMS
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted its Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2026 (Program 10) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
State to Issue DSH April Payments Starting Next Week
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will issue disproportionate share hospital (DSH) April payments for the period of February-March 2026.
DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files
What’s happening: On March 27, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital data sets that hospitals must download before the files are deleted on May 11.
House Letter Urges Appropriators to Block Funding for 340B Rebate Model
What’s happening: U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui led a bipartisan letter requesting that the fiscal year 2027 appropriations bill include language barring the use of funds for implementation of any 340B Rebate Model, including the previously proposed pilot program.
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.
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.