About Health Equity
Disparate health outcomes are often the result of historic and systemic inequalities and unequal access to health care. This is untenable in a just society. That’s why California’s hospitals are committed to ensuring every Californian receives equitable, high-quality care. Hospitals alone cannot eliminate health disparities; it will take systemic reform and broad partnerships to improve the status quo. View snapshots of health indicators for CA’s legislative and congressional districts.
Hospital Equity Reporting Regulations Now in Effect, Deadline for HQI’s Reporting Assistance Extended
What’s happening: The regulations to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021), which requires hospitals to submit annual reports to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on measures related to health equity, are effective as of June 4.
Reminder: Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.
Reminder: First Hospital Equity Report Due Sept. 30
What’s happening: The first Hospital Equity Measures Report under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021) is due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) by Sept. 30. The reports must also include a plan to prioritize and address disparities for vulnerable populations identified in the submitted data.
Reminder: Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.
HQI Makes Mandatory AB 1204 Reporting Easy
What’s happening: By Sept. 30, California hospitals are required to submit detailed health equity reports under Assembly Bill 1204 (2021) — a process that is daunting and tedious, with dozens of measures and hundreds of required fields. The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) can help.
Upcoming Webinar Shares Progress on HQI’s Health Equity Reporting Tool
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute’s (HQI’s) fourth and final webinar on reporting hospital equity measures to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) under Assembly Bill 1204 (2021) will take place April 23 from 10-11 a.m. (PT).
What else to know: This webinar will share essential updates on HQI’s tool to aid hospitals in creating their health equity report, due to HCAI by Sept. 30, and walk attendees through the submission portal. Registration is open.
Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.
What else to know: In 2024, the Office of Administrative Law approved HCAI’s regulations to implement AB 1392. This year, the new reporting requirements are fully in effect — and HCAI has developed a new template to support and inform this updated reporting.
CDPH Issues New Guidance to Support Doula Access in Hospitals
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-13 on March 24 that offers guidance to hospitals on supporting the Medi-Cal doula benefit — available since January 1, 2023 — and outlines recommendations for patient visitation policies and procedures.
Upcoming Webinar Explains HQI Solution to Hospital Equity Reporting Challenges
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a service that provides 95% of the information hospitals are required to report by Sept. 30 under Assembly Bill 1204. HQI is hosting a webinar on April 10 addressing the challenges hospitals encounter in equity reporting and how its Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP) can simplify this process.
What else to know: The webinar will share practical strategies and tools to assist hospitals in meeting the mandatory health equity reporting requirements. This is the third in a four-part series; more information can be found on HQI’s website.
HCAI Seeks Feedback on AB 1204 Technical Assistance by March 31
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) recently released a survey to the hospital field to ascertain hospitals’ needs in complying with Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021), which requires that they submit annual health equity data reports. The first report is due Sept. 30.
What else to know: The survey will help HCAI identify areas where additional technical assistance will be needed. Responses to the survey are due by March 31.