About Medi-Cal
Every year, California’s hospitals treat millions of patients, many of them covered by Medi-Cal, the state’s health care safety net. This includes numerous essential health care services, including care for more than 50% of all births, 51% of behavioral health-related emergency department visits, and 49% of rural hospital patient care But for low-income Californians who rely on Medi-Cal for coverage — two-thirds of whom are people of color — their care is at serious risk. Communities with high Medi-Cal enrollment already suffer from a severe lack of health care providers and with hospital services at risk of being reduced and outright closures looming, California’s most vulnerable, including people living in rural and underserved areas, are in jeopardy.
CMS Removes COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Health Care Workers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule withdrawing the COVID-19 vaccination requirements for workers in most health care settings that receive Medicare or Medicaid reimbursement. They include but are not limited to hospitals, dialysis facilities, ambulatory surgical settings, home health agencies, and long-term care facilities.
AHA Issues Member Advisory as Debt Ceiling Negotiations Continue
As noted in CHA News last week, hospitals’ Medicare and Medicaid payments are at risk if an agreement to raise the nation’s borrowing limit, known as the debt ceiling, isn’t reached. As negotiations continue between President Biden and Speaker McCarthy, our national partners at the American Hospital Association have put together this Member Advisory to […]
CHA Webinar Will Provide FEMA Region 9, Cal/OES Reimbursement Update
In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 9 and the California Office of Emergency Services, CHA is hosting a May 22 webinar to provide an update on FEMA’s public assistance program application process.
CHA Issues Summaries of Medicaid Access and Payment Proposed Rules
CHA has issued members-only summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of two proposed rules related to Medicaid programs.
Breaching the Debt Ceiling Will Likely Impact Medicare and Medicaid Payments
Congressional leaders and President Biden continue to try to find agreement on a plan to raise the federal debt limit. The borrowing limit for the federal government is set in statute and once it’s reached (known as the X date) the federal government can no longer meet its financial obligations. Once the limit is reached, […]
Governor Releases Revised 2023-24 State Budget Proposal
On May 12, the governor released the May Revision, an update to his January budget proposal for the fiscal year (FY) extending from July 2023 through June 2024. The Legislature has until June 15 to pass the budget.
California Congressional Delegation Urges Action on Medicaid DSH Cuts
In the U.S. House, 41 members of the California congressional delegation — more than three-quarters of California representatives — signed a bipartisan letter urging House leadership to take action on the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665), legislation to delay the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts that are scheduled for Oct. 1. In total, 231 members of […]
More Hospital Closures, Reduced Services Coming Without Additional, Immediate Financial Relief in State Budget
“California hospitals are deeply concerned the proposed May revision to the state budget includes no additional, immediate emergency relief funding for California’s hospitals,” said Carmela Coyle, President & CEO of the California Hospital Association. “California is teetering on the edge of an unprecedented crisis in access to vital hospital services. One in five hospitals is […]
FEMA Region 9/CalOES Reimbursement Update
Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by June 9. Join CHA’s Megan Howard and Chad Mulvany as they provide a summary of the proposed rule implications on your organization and how you can share your concerns on the impending changes.
AHA to Host Advocacy Day on June 6 in Washington, D.C.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) will host an in-person Advocacy Day event in Washington, D.C. on June 6 as Congress considers legislation on a number of issues affecting hospitals.