About Health Equity
Disparate health outcomes for Californians are often the result of historic and systemic inequalities that persist today. Unequal access to health care and health resources, as well as unequal and damaging environmental conditions due to race, socioeconomic status, and other factors is untenable in a just and healthy society. That’s why California’s hospitals are committed to ensuring every Californian receives equitable, high-quality care through programs that address the social determinants of health — things like housing instability, access to healthy foods, and community violence. But hospitals alone cannot eliminate health disparities. It will take systemic reform, paired with broad partnerships across all segments of California’s communities, to improve the status quo.
CHA Issues Summaries of FFY 2023 IPPS and LTCH PPS Final Rule
CHA has issued comprehensive summaries of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2023 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital (LTCH) PPS final rules. The policy and payment provisions in the final rules are effective for FFY 2023 discharges, beginning Oct. 1.
CMS Seeks Feedback on Healthcare Access, Provider Experience, Health Equity, and PHE Flexibilities
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a request for information seeking input on accessing health care and related challenges and the impact of CMS’ policies and requirements on provider well-being and retention. It also seeks input on advancing health equity, and recommendations to improve or make permanent the waivers and flexibilities […]
Attorney General Bonta Launches Inquiry into Racial and Ethnic Bias in Health Care Algorithms
On Aug. 31, California Attorney General Rob Bonta sent letters to 30 hospital CEOs across the state requesting information about how health care facilities and other providers are identifying and addressing racial and ethnic disparities in health care algorithms.
CHA Provides Feedback to CMS on Medicare Advantage Program
CHA has submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) request for information about various aspects of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program. The agency sought public feedback on ways to improve MA and to inform potential future rulemaking on the program.
HQI to Host Webinar Series on Health Equity Basics
The Hospital Quality Institute is offering a two-part webinar series on Health Equity Basics for Hospitals. The aim is to provide hospitals with the latest information on how to operationalize and execute actionable strategies to identify and address racial and ethnic disparities.
Bringing Care to One Rural Community
Madera Community Hospital stepped in to build a medical clinic in the Central Valley town of Mendota, bringing health care to a small rural community that previously had none.
Helping All Californians Reach the Highest Standards of Health
A comprehensive, multi-level strategy is needed to eliminate (health) disparities. Broad sectors – including healthcare providers, their patients, payors, health plan purchasers, and society at large – should be made aware of the healthcare gap between racial and ethnic groups in the United States. — Unequal Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic disparities in Health Care.
CMS IPPS Update Far Too Small Given Current Challenges
As hospitals throughout the nation struggle to find their financial footing through this latest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) update for the coming fiscal year falls woefully short of what is needed to preserve access to care and rebuild a tattered […]
Thrive Local Focuses on Societal Factors to Help Improve Lives
Members are invited to a webinar on July 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. (PT) to learn about Kaiser Permanente’s Thrive Local program, which focuses on societal factors to improve lives by connecting patients to much-needed resources after they leave the hospital.
CHA Issues Summary of Calendar Year 2023 Home Health PPS Proposed Rule
CHA has issued a members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the calendar year 2023 home health (HH) prospective payment system proposed rule recently released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS on Aug. 16 by 2 p.m. (PT).