About Holding Insurers Accountable
Patients deserve access to health care without unnecessary barriers from their insurance companies. But with 94% of the commercial health insurance market controlled by just six companies, health insurance companies have enormous power in California — and they increasingly use that power to deny enrollees access to care or even refuse to pay for care that’s already been delivered, all while padding their bottom lines. CHA is advocating for increased oversight and accountability to ensure commercial insurers meet their basic responsibilities to patients.
In 2023, CHA filed a lawsuit against Anthem alleging that it failed to ensure timely care for its beneficiaries. Read the latest here.
CHA also participates in the American Hospital Association’s Vitality Index, a key advocacy tool that tracks claims data. Learn more.
State Taking Steps to Hold Commercial Insurers Accountable
There is positive movement on new state regulations and standards to strengthen oversight of commercial insurance companies and compel them to provide the health care services people need. This comes after years of continuous CHA advocacy with the Department of Managed Health Care, calling attention to the practices of many profit-minded insurance companies that were neglecting the needs of Californians.
CHA Urges Stronger Oversight of Health Plan Downcoding Practices
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on a draft All Plan Letter with proposed guidance aimed at increasing oversight and transparency of health plan downcoding practices.
CHA Submits Comments to DMHC on Proposed Network Adequacy Regulations
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on its proposed new regulations and standards to strengthen network adequacy requirements and oversight.
Looking Under the Hood on Why Health Care Spending Keeps Rising
In recent media coverage of insurance company premium hikes for plans sold through Covered California, national for-profit insurers are once again playing a tired and disingenuous blame game.
Commercial Insurers Double Down on Hospital Attacks
It’s been a little more than four months since commercial insurance company executives were summoned to Capitol Hill for a congressional hearing in which they were probed on care denials, profit-taking, consumer affordability, and more.
AI Isn’t the Boogeyman
Earlier this week, representatives from multiple hospitals and health systems had an important opportunity at the Capitol to speak directly with key lawmakers about the value of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and the dangers of severely curbing these tested and valuable supports for health care workers.
Healing Happens Here – at California Hospitals
This week, during the 73rd annual celebration of National Hospital Week, we are reminded to pause to consider the special role that hospitals play in our own lives and in the lives of our loved ones.
Battling Back Against Anthem’s Unlawful Hospital Penalties
CHA is taking the fight against Anthem’s new and harmful reimbursement penalty policy to the courts.
New Anthem Payment Policy Hurts Patients, Violates CA Law: CHA Lawsuit
SACRAMENTO (May 4, 2026) — The California Hospital Association (CHA) has filed a lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross to prevent the insurance giant from penalizing hospitals when Anthem enrollees choose a doctor that is out of network, a choice explicitly allowed by their health insurance plan.
New Anthem Policy Driven by Profits, Not Patients
Earlier this week, CHA sent a pointed letter to the president of Anthem Blue Cross of California, calling out the insurance behemoth’s new multistate payment policy — an unjust and harmful practice that will penalize California hospitals for providing care to patients involving non-participating physicians or providers.