CHA Issues Draft Comments on IPPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA has issued its draft comments in response to the federal fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule, highlighting the inadequate proposed net payment update.
CHA Submits Recommended Staff Ratios for Psychiatric Hospitals
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted recommended staff ratios for acute psychiatric hospitals (PDF) to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), urging the state to require a multi-disciplinary care team approach including registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, psychiatric technicians, and mental health workers.
Federal Agencies Will Not Enforce Mental Health Parity Final Rule
What’s happening: On May 15, the U.S. departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and the Treasury announced that they will not enforce the 2024 mental health parity final rule that aimed to improve access to mental health services by requiring health plans to make changes when inadequate access is provided.
Summary Details CMS Proposal to Modify Health Care-Related Taxes
What’s happening: Earlier this month, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed changes to Medicaid health care-related tax rules that pose significant risks to California’s managed care organization (MCO) tax and Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program.
CHA Issues Summaries of IPPS, LTCH PPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: Summaries of the federal fiscal year 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) and long-term care hospital (LTCH) PPS proposed rule are now available, and on May 21, CHA will host a complimentary, members-only webinar on the IPPS provisions.
Proposed Changes to Medicaid Health Care-Related Tax Rules Threaten MCO Tax, Hospital Fee Program
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued proposed changes to the Medicaid health care-related tax rules that present significant risks for California’s managed care organization (MCO) tax and Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program — both of which hospitals rely on to deliver patient care. Comments on the proposed rule are due to CMS by July 14.
Mandatory Neurodegenerative Disease Reporting Begins July 1
What’s happening: Starting July 1, providers diagnosing or treating patients with neurodegenerative diseases — such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s — are required to report each case to the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry, run by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
HCAI Webinar to Offer Effective HVAC Alarm Management Strategies
What’s happening: On May 13, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will host a webinar on effective alarm management for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
HCAI’s Advisory Guide Explains Health Care Microgrid Requirements and More
What’s happening: Due to the continuity of electrical power required to support patient care, requirements for health care microgrids are above and beyond those of traditional microgrids — and health care facilities with microgrid projects under the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI’s) jurisdiction can turn to a new microgrid advisory guide for assistance understanding the process.
Learn About California’s Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program at Upcoming Virtual Workshop
What’s happening: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will hold a virtual public workshop on May 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (PT) to share developments on California’s Corporate Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which will require certain entities doing business in California to annually report specific emission data.