About Rural Health Care
California’s nearly five dozen rural hospitals, including 37 critical access hospitals, provide care to more than 2 million people. They are lifelines and economic pillars for the communities they serve. Many of these hospitals are on the financial brink, reducing services just to stay open and facing the possibility of closure. These challenges place the most vulnerable populations at risk as Californians will have to travel great distances to get the care they need.
The California Critical Access Hospital Network (CCAHN) is a statewide organization that creates collaborative working relationships among California critical access hospitals to strengthen their ability to care for their communities through sharing resources, education, and innovation.
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.
Urge Congress to Support Patient Care in Year-End Legislation
What’s happening: CHA issued an alert asking members to urge their congressional representatives to support hospital priority issues in year-end legislation.
What else to know: Outreach is needed by Dec. 20 when Congress will wrap up the session.
CHA Outlines Year-End Federal Legislative Health Care Priorities
What’s happening: In a Nov. 18 letter to the California congressional delegation, CHA outlined legislative priorities for the remainder of the 118th Congress — which must act by Dec. 20 to fund the federal government.
What else to know: It is likely that some health care extensions and policies could be a part of Congress’ funding package.
2025 Rural Health Care Symposium
Join us in Sacramento at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel for a unique symposium dedicated to California’s rural hospital leaders. Together, we’ll explore the specific challenges rural hospitals face and uncover valuable insights on a range of critical health care topics.
CHA Urges Hospitals to Invite Members of Congress to Visit
What’s happening: CHA issued an alert encouraging members to meet with their representatives to discuss key issues like the 340B Drug Pricing Program, financial instability, prior authorization, rural health care, disproportionate share hospital payment cuts, and site-neutral payment policies.
What else to know: Members of Congress will be back in their districts for the entire month of October. These visits will not only strengthen relationships, but also help educate and inform your representative ahead of critical health care policy votes in December.
California Rural Hospitals Invited to AHA Town Hall
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) Region 9 will hold a virtual Rural Advocacy Town Hall on Oct. 9, 10-11 a.m. (PT) through Microsoft Teams. Region 9 includes California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific territories.
What else to know: The call will be led by AHA’s rural advocacy experts in Washington, D.C.: Travis Robey, vice president, political affairs, and Shannon Wu, PhD, director, payment policy. Susan Doherty, vice president for field engagement and rural health segment lead, will also join. All CHA member hospitals with membership in the AHA are welcome to register.
Legislature Delivers Strong Results for Hospital Patients, California Communities
Last week, California’s Legislature concluded its 2024 session, with hundreds of bills now headed to Gov. Newsom for his signature or veto.
Update: Key CHA Bills Move Forward as Legislative Session Nears End
What’s happening: Two CHA-sponsored bills are on the governor’s desk and others are working their way through the legislative process. The Legislature is set to adjourn Saturday night.
What else to know: Awaiting action from the governor: Assembly Bill (AB) 1423 would create a critical access hospital funding technical advisory group and AB 1316 would require Medi-Cal managed care plans to pay hospital emergency departments for serving Medi-Cal beneficiaries experiencing a mental health crisis.
CHA Member Alert: Action Needed on Rural, Seismic Legislation
What’s happening: As the Legislature heads into its last month of session, CHA has issued alerts on two priority issues: the 2030 seismic compliance deadline and access to care in rural areas, specifically related to critical access hospitals.
What else to know: More information about CHA’s work on these and other priority issues is available on the CHA website.
CHA to Host Webinar on Preparing for Extreme Heat and Smoke Impact in Clinical Settings
What’s happening: CHA will host the members-only Preparing for Extreme Heat and Smoke Impact in Clinical Settings webinar on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. (PT).
What else to know: The webinar addresses heat-related emergency response plans and protocols and leads into the 2024 Disaster Planning Conference on Sept. 10-11. Registration is open.