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
Urge Opposition to SB 632’s Workers’ Compensation Changes by April 2
What’s happening: Senate Bill (SB) 632 would create a private sector workers’ compensation presumption that a variety of illnesses and injuries, including COVID-19, arose in the course of providing direct patient care at hospitals. It is critical that hospitals urge opposition to this bill.
What else to know: Hospitals are encouraged to write a letter urging Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, chair of the state Senate Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement, to oppose this bill. The deadline to submit letters is noon (PT) on April 2, and the committee will hear the bill on April 9.
Hospitals: Let Congress Know How Medicaid Cuts Will Impact People, Communities
What’s happening: As Congress works on a federal budget for 2026 that could result in devastating cuts to Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California), it is imperative that all hospital leaders let members of Congress know directly the impact these cuts will have on the people and communities they represent. Representatives will be home in their districts from April 11-27, which is an excellent time to invite your representative to come visit their local hospital.
What else to know: Another effective method is to submit an op-ed or Letter to the Editor to your local newspaper or another relevant news outlet, as did Elaine Batchlor, MD, who serves as CEO of MLK Community Healthcare in Los Angeles and as a CHA board member. Dr. Batchlor’s op-ed, Medicaid cuts are a threat to health care for all, appeared in The Hill, a Washington, D.C., publication widely read by members of Congress — who, along with their staff, also regularly follow local media outlets to stay on top of key concerns for their constituents.
2025 Consent Law Seminar Covers Federal Health Care Guidelines, Recent State Statutes
What’s happening: On April 23 and May 19, CHA is hosting the 2025 Consent Law Seminar in Burbank and Sacramento, respectively; a livestream option is also available for the May 19 date.
What else to know: The seminar will cover new federal health care guidelines and recent state statutes, including how, together, Assembly Bill 2275 and Senate Bill 43 impact involuntary holds. Visit the event web page to register and view the full agenda.
OHCA Board Reviews Initial Feedback on Hospital Sector Target Proposal, But Persistent Hospital Engagement Is Needed
What’s happening: At the Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA’s) March 25 board meeting, the board discussed the hospital sector proposal and reviewed initial feedback from interviews with hospitals. While no final decisions or changes were made, the board signaled openness to reintroducing a limited exclusion for small hospitals.
What else to know: In written and verbal comments, CHA and hospital members pushed back against OHCA’s high-cost hospital proposal, finding it premature, based on anomalous data and biased methodologies — and certain to significantly harm access to high-quality hospital care in communities throughout California.
Upcoming Webinar Explains HQI Solution to Hospital Equity Reporting Challenges
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a service that provides 95% of the information hospitals are required to report by Sept. 30 under Assembly Bill 1204. HQI is hosting a webinar on April 10 addressing the challenges hospitals encounter in equity reporting and how its Hospital Quality Improvement Platform (HQIP) can simplify this process.
What else to know: The webinar will share practical strategies and tools to assist hospitals in meeting the mandatory health equity reporting requirements. This is the third in a four-part series; more information can be found on HQI’s website.
Summary on Affordable Care Act Marketplace Integrity Proposed Rule Now Available
What’s happening: A summary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Marketplace Integrity and Affordability proposed rule for health insurance marketplaces — including issuers, agents, and brokers who assist marketplace enrollees — is available for CHA members.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rule, which alters several policies, are due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by April 11.
Analysis Released on OPPS Observation and Emergency Department Utilization for CYs 2019-23
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis of the outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) observation and emergency department (ED) utilization.
What else to know: The analysis provides a comparative review of Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) outpatient observation and ED visits during calendar years (CYs) 2019-23.
Making the Case to Protect Medicaid in the Nation’s Capital
This week, California’s congressional representatives returned from their home districts to a gray and gloomy Washington, D.C.
Post-Acute Care Transfer Policy Analysis for FFYs 2020-25 Shows Estimated Impact on Medicare Inpatient FFS Payments and More
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis of the inpatient post-acute care transfer (PACT) adjustment policy that shows the estimated impact on Medicare inpatient fee-for-service (FFS) payments.
What else to know: The analysis also shows corresponding Medicare severity diagnosis-related group (MS-DRG) volumes from the inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) during federal fiscal years (FFYs) 2020-25.
AHA, Health-ISAC Warn of Potential Terror Threat Targeted at Hospitals
What’s happening: On March 18, the American Hospital Association (AHA) and Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC) saw a social media post indicating concern for a coordinated, multi-city terrorist attack on low-security hospitals in mid-tier cities in the coming weeks, and released a bulletin on March 19 to spread awareness.
What else to know: Although the threat’s credibility cannot be verified at this time, the AHA and Health-ISAC recommend that hospitals review and evaluate the coordination and capabilities of physical security, cybersecurity, and emergency management plans, and spread internal awareness of this potential threat.
