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
Upcoming EMSA Commission Meeting to Discuss APOT Report
What’s happening: On Dec. 11, the Commission on Emergency Medical Services will convene in San Francisco, where it will discuss an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) report, among other topics.
What else to know: The report in the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Commission Meeting Packet includes APOT data by hospital. More details for the in-person meeting can be found on the EMSA web page. See CHA’s APOT issue web page for additional resources.
DMHC Fines Blue Cross of California for Failing Cancer Patient, Ignoring Complaints
What’s happening: The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has fined Blue Cross of California (Anthem Blue Cross) $500,000 after a health plan member was forced to file 17 grievances in order to obtain coverage for cancer care, including chemotherapy.
What else to know: Anthem Blue Cross has acknowledged its failure to respond to the member’s grievances and agreed to pay the fines, repay providers, and take corrective action involving the grievance process.
As 2024 Winds Down, Federal Advocacy Heats Up
As 2024 begins to come to a close, CHA’s advocacy attention will be focused on advancing priorities in Washington, D.C. We’ll be pushing to ensure federal approval for two critical state issues while also focusing on some key federal issues likely in play in the lame duck session.
Proposed Rule Would Increase Medicare Advantage Plan Oversight
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule for contract year 2026 that would increase oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
What else to know: The rule includes additional proposed changes to the prior authorization process and guardrails for artificial intelligence use.
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.
AHA Survey on 340B Closes Dec. 16
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking 340B Drug Pricing Program members to complete a brief survey by Dec. 16 to help it understand how alternative 340B rebate models would impact 340B member hospitals.
What else to know: Completing this 10-question survey will help AHA understand the financial, operational, and patient impacts that a rebate model — such as the one Johnson & Johnson sought to implement this year — would have on your hospital or health system.
CHA FAQs Detail AB 2975 Hospital Weapon Detection Requirements
What’s happening: Following numerous questions about Assembly Bill (AB) 2975’s requirements, CHA has developed a frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) fact sheet to assist hospitals with planning for implementation.
What else to know: AB 2975 will require all hospitals to adopt and implement a weapon detection policy — and screen at certain entrances for instruments capable of causing death or serious bodily injury — by sometime around March 2027.
CHA Supports Eliminating Low Wage Index Hospital Policy for FFY 2025
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in support of an interim final rule that eliminates the low wage index policy and associated budget neutrality adjustment for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025.
What else to know: The rule was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit) decision in Bridgeport Hospital, et al., v. Becerra.
DEA, HHS Extend Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities
What’s happening: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended existing waiver flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2025.
What else to know: This is the third extension.
HQI Virtual Forum to Discuss Workplace Violence in Rural, Critical Access Hospitals
What’s happening: Individuals leading and supporting hospital efforts to eliminate workplace violence are invited to the next Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) virtual forum on Dec. 12 at noon (PT).
What else to know: The forum will discuss workplace violence concerns and interventions specific to critical access and rural hospitals. Registration is open, and participation is free for all CHA and HQI member hospitals.
