About Rural Health Care
California’s rural hospitals are essential lifelines for over 2 million residents, providing critical health care services and acting as economic anchors in their communities. However, these hospitals face severe financial challenges, with more than half operating at a loss. This financial strain has led to the reduction or elimination of vital services, such as obstetrics and cancer treatments. The California Hospital Association is actively advocating for immediate financial support for the development of sustainable funding models to ensure that all Californians, regardless of location, have access to the health care they need and deserve.
The California Critical Access Hospital Network (CCAHN) creates collaborative working relationships among California’s critical access hospitals to strengthen their ability to care for their communities through sharing resources, education, and innovation.
CHA Symposium Convenes Hospital CEOs Amid Uncertainty
What’s happening: Leaders from California’s rural and critical access hospitals gathered on March 10-11 for the 40th CHA Rural Health Care Symposium.
What else to know: This year’s symposium in Sacramento saw a record attendance of about 80 CEOs and other rural hospital leaders. With major challenges looming at both the state and national levels, the event provided a forum for the CEOs to discuss essential issues and strategies for the future.
Key Messages: Health Care at Risk for Millions
Rural hospitals in California face severe financial strain, endangering access to essential health care services for more than 2 million people.
CHA Gathering Focuses on Financial Sustainability of Critical Access Hospitals
What’s happening: CHA convened leadership from California’s critical access hospitals (CAHs) for a strategic discussion on achieving financial sustainability. The meeting took place Feb. 20-21 in Sacramento.
What else to know: CEOs and chief financial officers from private, system, and district hospitals participated in small group discussions — led by Todd Linden of Linden Consulting, a retired CEO with 40 years of experience in CAH leadership — to identify the most pressing operational challenges and explore potential solutions. Key issues include aging infrastructure and persistent workforce shortages.
HCAI to Host Webinar on Seismic Grant Program
What’s happening: On March 4, the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Seismic Compliance Unit is hosting a webinar from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) on Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (2024). The webinar will cover seismic compliance, eligibility criteria for extensions beyond the 2030 deadline, and HCAI’s activities related to AB 869 implementation.
What else to know: AB 869 allows for the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, as well as small, rural, critical access, or health care district hospitals, to apply for a delay to the Jan. 1, 2030, seismic compliance deadline by up to three years. Webinar registration is open.
Explore Critical Issues Shaping Rural Health Care at 2025 Symposium
What’s happening: On March 10-11 — in less than three weeks — California’s rural hospital industry partners, policymakers, and C-suite health care professionals will gather in Sacramento for CHA’s Rural Health Care Symposium, where they’ll connect on critical issues shaping rural health care.
What else to know: Registration for this two-day event is open to CHA member hospitals.
HCAI Webinar to Cover Seismic Grant Program for Small and Rural Hospitals
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Office of Facility Loan Insurance is conducting a webinar on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) to discuss a seismic grant program for small, rural, and critical access hospitals.
What else to know: The webinar will cover eligibility criteria, additions to the program due to Assembly Bill 869 (2024), and the application process. Registration is open.
CHA Publishes Resources to Support Hospitals’ Congressional Advocacy Efforts
What’s happening: CHA’s new federal resources can assist hospitals in their messaging to lawmakers on health policy options circulating in Washington, D.C. What else to know: The resources cover financial instability, rural hospital care, site-neutral policies, disproportionate share hospital payment cuts, and the 340B drug pricing program.
2025 Symposium to Tackle Critical Challenges Facing Rural Health Care
What’s happening: CHA’s 40th Rural Health Care Symposium, taking place March 10-11 in Sacramento, will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and tackle the critical challenges facing rural health care.
What else to know: Registration is open to CHA member hospitals.
2025 Rural Health Care Symposium Is Fast Approaching
What’s happening: In just two months, on March 10-11, the 40th Rural Health Care Symposium will take place in Sacramento and will address the most pressing issues facing rural hospitals today.
What else to know: The symposium will cover emerging trends and legislative challenges, updates on the Office of Health Care Affordability and the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee Program, and leveraging data to streamline operations and boost efficiencies, among many other topics.
CMS Memos Clarify Policies for Providers, State Survey Agencies
What’s happening: In four new memos, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) clarifies survey policies for critical access hospitals (CAHs), long-term care facilities (LTC), and laboratories.
What else you need to know: New and revised guidance addresses time-share and leased space arrangements in CAHs, immediate jeopardy in laboratories, and LTC policies.