About Medi-Cal
More than 15 million Californians rely on Medi-Cal, the state’s health care coverage safety net, for health insurance. Two-thirds of those on Medi-Cal are people of color and often live in communities with a lack of adequate health care providers. Without significant investments to support providers that deliver health care to California’s most vulnerable, millions living in rural and underserved areas are in jeopardy.
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.
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:
CHA Issues Summary of Proposed Rule to Expand Health Care Access to DACA Recipients
CHA has issued a members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the proposed rule released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to amend regulatory definitions of “lawfully present” in specific health programs. These proposed changes would allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to enroll in the programs. Comments are due to CMS by 2 p.m. (PT) on June 23.
CMS Issues New Guidance on End of COVID-19 PHE & Related Waivers
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued new guidance on the May 11 end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and related regulatory waivers.
CMS Issues Proposed Rules on Medicaid Access and Payment Rates
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued two proposed rules related to Medicaid programs. The proposed rules are designed to improve access to care, quality, and health outcomes, and better promote health equity for Medicaid beneficiaries across fee-for-service and managed care delivery systems. Comments on both proposed rules are due to CMS by 2 p.m. (PT) on July 3.
U.S House Holds Multiple Hearings on Hospital Issues
CHA thanks members for responding to the targeted alert calling for hospitals to contact their congressional representatives ahead of the four House subcommittee hearings on transparency, disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments, outpatient payments, 340B, physician-owned hospitals, tax-exempt status, and many other hospital issues.
CMS to Host May 9 Focus Group on Post-Public Health Emergency Compliance Issues
On May 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a virtual provider compliance focus group to address medical review and claims issues and concerns post-COVID-19 public health emergency. CMS will solicit feedback during a question-and-answer session.
CHA Issues Advocacy Alert Ahead of Hospital-Focused Congressional Committee Hearings
Last week, CHA issued an advocacy alert targeted to hospital members with representatives on the following committees, which have scheduled hospital-specific hearings later this week:
CHA Comments on Two Medicaid DSH Proposed Rules
CHA has submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on two proposed rules on the Medicaid disproportionate share hospital (DSH) program.
New Report Shows Patients Served by One in Five California Hospitals Are at Risk of Losing Their Hospital Due to Closure
SACRAMENTO (April 12, 2023) — The latest report from national health care management consulting firm Kaufman Hall shows that one in five California hospitals — dozens throughout the state — is at risk of closure. Hospitals have faced a perfect storm of COVID-related losses, crippling inflation, and systemic underfunding by government payers — Medi-Cal and […]