About Laws & Regulations
Navigating the vast network of health care laws and regulations is difficult. To help hospitals, CHA produces manuals and guidebooks, including the Consent Manual, a one-stop resource for all legal requirements related to patient consent for medical treatment, release of medical information, reporting requirements and more; the Model Medical Staff Bylaws and Rules, which outline the framework for working relationships among medical staff, hospital administrators and governing bodies; and the California Hospital Compliance Manual, which covers high-risk compliance issues. CHA also represents California hospitals’ interests in court on issues, including reimbursement, labor and employment, and more.
Court Finds CDPH Incorrectly Interpreted Breach Penalty Law, Upholds Win for Hospitals
What’s happening: On Sept. 23, the Third District Court of Appeal upheld a trial court’s ruling that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) must prove a hospital’s or other health facility’s administrative, physical, or technological safeguards were inadequate before imposing a penalty — a decision with statewide implications for health privacy enforcement.
New Summary Shares Key Provisions of FFY 2026 IPPS Final Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued a summary detailing the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) final rule.
Hospitals Must Submit 2025 APOT Reduction Protocols to EMSA, Audit Tool Tutorial Now Available
What’s happening: Under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023), hospitals must submit an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) annually on or before June 30. CHA recommends that hospitals submit their protocols as soon as possible. EMSA’s APOT Audit Tool aims to reduce APOTs — as required under...
2025 CDPH Leadership Updates and District Sessions
CDPH and CHA will once again gather virtually to discuss all things licensing – including program flexes due to potential surges, the status of re-licensing and recertification surveys, and CDPH’s plans to modify Title 22.
Participants can speak with their district office representatives in separate breakout sessions. Now is the time to gain licensing clarification and a better understanding of CDPH policies and protocols.
Go ahead and register! It’s that easy.
CHA Urges CMS to Increase OPPS Payment Update, Rescind Harmful Proposals
What’s happening: On Sept. 15, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the calendar year 2026 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule.
New Memo Examines Impact of Federal Activity on Hospitals’ Equity Reporting and Supplier Diversity Requirements
What’s happening: CHA issued a memo that outlines federal executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and explains how they intersect with California laws on hospital equity and disparity reporting, as well as supplier diversity requirements.
Hospitals Should Increase Participation in APOT Audit Tool
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: To increase data confidence and reliability, more hospitals must register for the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA’s) “APOT Audit Tool” and begin conducting monthly audits. To be compliant with Assembly Bill (AB) 40 requirements, hospitals must also submit their APOT reduction protocols to EMSA.
HHS to Increase Enforcement of Info Blocking Violations
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it will increase enforcement efforts against providers and other entities that engage in information blocking, as authorized under the 21st Century Cures Act.
CHA Files Amicus Brief Opposing Drug Manufacturers’ Lawsuits Over 340B Rebate Models
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: CHA has filed an amicus (“friend of the court”) brief with 36 other state and regional hospital associations supporting the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) against pharmaceutical manufacturers’ appeal of rulings related to 340B Drug Pricing Program rebate models.
CHA Issues Draft Comments on Physician Fee Schedule Proposals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Editor's note: On Sept. 12, CHA submitted the letter referenced below - read the final comments.
What’s happening: Members are encouraged to use CHA’s new draft comments on the calendar year (CY) 2026 physician fee schedule proposed rule as a template for their own comments.