Medi-Cal

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.

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 […]

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.

CHA State-Federal Alert Seeks Attention on Emergency Funding and Medi-Cal Reimbursements, Upcoming DSH Cuts 

Last week, CHA issued a joint state-federal alert seeking members’ attention and action on two issues:  
Support for one-time state funding to stabilize hospitals and long-term increases in Medi-Cal reimbursements 
Support for a federal bill to delay Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) cuts 
For the state portion of the alert, CHA is asking hospital leaders to send a letter to the state senator and Assembly member who represent your hospital to voice your support for a one-time request for funds to stabilize distressed hospitals, as well as increases in Medi-Cal reimbursements. A letter framework with a high-level guide to the messages that should be included is available for members’ use. Letters should be sent by May 10; please send a copy to Mark Farouk at mfarouk@calhospital.org. 
 
For the federal bill, CHA is asking hospital leaders to call or email their U.S. representative by May 11 to ask them to: 
Co-sponsor the Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act (H.R. 2665), legislation to delay the Medicaid DSH cuts that are scheduled for Oct. 1. 
Sign a letter to the leadership of the House of Representatives calling for urgent action on the legislation.