The newsroom includes access to CHA News, which provides timely information to members every Thursday and is at the core of CHA benefits. In addition, it is also home to resources such as toolkits and talking points designed to help member hospitals and health systems communicate with internal and external audiences on a range of current health care-related issues. Links to CHA media statements and press releases can also be found here.
Newsroom
CHA Urges OHCA Board to Reject Draconian Penalties
What's happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA) board met on Wednesday and continued deliberations over the monetary penalties for violating the spending targets. The office also introduced draft regulations to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 1415 (Statutes of 2025), which expands OHCA’s authority to review certain types of health care market transactions.
Commercial Insurers Double Down on Hospital Attacks
It’s been a little more than four months since commercial insurance company executives were summoned to Capitol Hill for a congressional hearing in which they were probed on care denials, profit-taking, consumer affordability, and more.
DHCS Launches 30-Day Comment Period for Renewal of CalAIM Waiver
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has launched a 30-day public comment period — closing June 20 — on the planned submission of a five-year renewal application for the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1915(b) Waiver, which is scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2026.
CHA DataSuite Releases Analysis of FFY 2027 Long-Term Care Hospital Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite issued a hospital-specific analysis of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2027 Medicare long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule. The analysis is intended to show providers how Medicare fee-for-service payments may change from FFY 2026 to FFY 2027 based on the policies set forth in the proposed rule.
CHA DataSuite Releases Analysis of FFY 2027 Wage Index and Occupational Mix Final Data
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis of the final data for wage index and occupational mix. The analysis is intended to provide hospitals with a comparative review of the wage data that will be used to develop the upcoming federal fiscal year (FFY) 2027 Medicare hospital wage index.
State Resubmits Hospital Fee Program 9, Draft Model Available for Members
What’s happening: On May 15, the state submitted the payment policies for the next iteration of the Hospital Fee Program (Program 9) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This is the final piece needed for CMS to review the full application.
Comments Due in July for CMS’ Medicaid Supplemental Payments Proposal
What's happening: Yesterday, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule outlining changes to Medicaid supplemental payments, including managed care state-directed payments. This is some of the implementation rulemaking associated with the payment reductions Congress enacted in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
EDs Encouraged to Complete Pediatric Readiness Survey
What’s happening: All emergency departments (EDs) are encouraged to take part in the 2026 National Pediatric Readiness Program Assessment. This nationwide assessment, which is completed every five years, is open until May 30.
Reminder: Hospital APOT Reduction Protocols Due June 30
What’s happening: As a reminder, all hospitals must submit an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol — required under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) — to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) annually on or before June 30. CHA recommends hospitals submit their protocols as soon as possible.
CHA DataSuite Analysis Shows Impact of FFY 2027 IPPS Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has released a hospital-specific analysis of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2027 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) based on the proposed rule.
