About Hospital Operations

Hospitals are grappling with staffing shortages, financial shortfalls, and extensive oversight and regulation. One in five hospitals is at risk of closure, yet hospitals remain committed to maintaining the care communities rely on and supporting the state’s health care workforce. To do this, hospitals are actively working with legislators and policymakers to find innovative and efficient ways to deliver care to all Californians.
Regulations for Automated Decision-Making Systems Take Effect Oct. 1
What’s happening: The California Civil Rights Department’s regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision systems in employment were approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on June 27. They will take effect on Oct. 1.
Sample Violence Victims’ Leave Notice Now Available for Hospitals
What’s happening: On July 1, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published the Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations notice that hospitals may use to comply with notice requirements under Assembly Bill (AB) 2499 (2024).
Health Care Minimum Wage Increases Took Effect July 1
What’s happening: On July 1, the minimum wage for employees of certain hospitals increased per Senate Bill (SB) 525 (2023) and SB 159 (2024).
CDPH Now Requires Fee for Licensing Applications, Written Notifications
What’s happening: All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-19 changes the application review process for all applications submitted to the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Centralized Applications Branch.
CDPH Expands Neurodegenerative Disease Reporting to Include ALS
What’s happening: After launching mandatory reporting of certain diseases through the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry on July 1, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has now expanded the list of reportable diseases to include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
HCAI Publishes List of Hospitals That Must Submit Report by Sept. 30 or Face $5,000 Penalty
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) recently published a list of hospitals that are required to submit a health equity report to the department by Sept. 30, as mandated by Assembly Bill 1204 (2021).
Reminder: Submit SB 632 Opposition Letters by July 2
What’s happening: CHA issued an alert last week asking hospitals to write to the Assembly Committee on Insurance opposing Senate Bill (SB) 632 (Arreguín, D-Oakland), which would expand workers’ compensation presumptive eligibility.
CDPH Health Advisory Urges Summertime Testing for Influenza A
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released a Health Advisory on June 11 recommending that, as the 2024-25 flu season ends, health care providers continue testing for influenza throughout the summer — particularly in patients with respiratory illness, conjunctivitis, or avian influenza A (H5N1) exposure risk factors.
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.
FDA Inaction Effectively Eliminates Final Rule to Regulate Laboratory-Developed Tests
What’s happening: The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) did not appeal the March 31 final judgment in which a U.S. district court ruled that it lacks the authority to regulate laboratory-developed tests as medical devices, effectively eliminating the May 6, 2024, final rule.