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.
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.
What else to know: As noted in the AFL, called Benefits of Doula Support and Recommendations to Accommodate Doula Services and Foster a Doula-Friendly Environment, doulas offer emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and up to one year postpartum. Hospital policies play a key role in creating a welcoming environment for doulas and the families they serve.
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.
March 12 Webinar Will Detail New HQI Program to Support Mandatory Health Equity Reporting
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) has released a new reporting service, as part of its Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP), that includes 95% of the information hospitals are required to report by Sept. 30.
What else to know: More information about the requirements — created under Assembly Bill 1204 (Statutes of 2021) — and HQI’s solution will be shared at a webinar on March 12. This webinar is the first of a four-part series; more information can be found on HQI’s website.
CDPH Issues Guidance on Skilled-Nursing Facility Reporting for Resident Payer Source
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-10, which implements new requirements for skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) and strengthens the prohibition against facility discrimination based on a resident’s payment source, as enacted in Senate Bill 1354. What else to know: Effective Jan. 1, Medi-Cal participating SNFs must make publicly […]
HCAI Releases Hospital Equity Toolkit to Support AB 1204 Compliance
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) new Hospital Equity Toolkit supports hospitals’ reporting of health equity-related data, as required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021). What else to know: AB 1204 (2021) requires hospitals to submit annual reports for measures on patient access, quality, and outcomes by race, ethnicity, language, […]
CHA Issues Summary of New Payment Model on Kidney Transplant Access
What’s happening: A summary of the finalized Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model is available for CHA members.
What else to know: The model will test whether performance-based incentive payments paid to or owed by participating kidney transplant hospitals increase access to kidney transplants for patients with end-stage renal disease.
CMS Finalizes Inadequate Outpatient Payment Update, Establishes New Conditions of Participation
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its calendar year (CY) 2025 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule, including a net market basket update of 2.9%.
What else to know: CMS also establishes new health and safety standards for obstetrical services to be phased in over two years.