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
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.
CHA Board Member Testifies Before Assembly Health Committee
What’s happening: Earlier this week, Lori Morgan, MD, MBA, President & CEO of Huntington Health in Pasadena — who is also a member of the boards of both CHA and the American Hospital Association — shared an important perspective before the state Assembly Health Committee on how the Los Angeles fires impacted surrounding communities and the role of hospitals in California’s response to this and other disasters.
What else to know: Dr. Morgan’s testimony was an important opportunity to share perspective on hospitals’ unique role in disaster response and the ways that state government can be helpful before, during, and after crises to ensure an efficient, rapid response that delivers care for Californians.
OHCA Poised to Set Troubling Precedent, Throttle Health Care Access
Time is running short.
HCAI Seeks Feedback on AB 1204 Technical Assistance by March 31
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) recently released a survey to the hospital field to ascertain hospitals’ needs in complying with Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021), which requires that they submit annual health equity data reports. The first report is due Sept. 30.
What else to know: The survey will help HCAI identify areas where additional technical assistance will be needed. Responses to the survey are due by March 31.
DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files
What’s happening: On March 14, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital-directed payment encounter files, available via the Secure File Transfer Protocol site, that hospitals must download as soon as possible — they will be deleted within 45 days of the upload date.
What else to know: DHCS has also published new calendar year 2023 encounter detail file toolkits for each Directed Payments program.
In-Person LEAD Academy in Sonoma Begins April 8
What’s happening: The Hospital Association of Southern California’s (HASC’s) In-Person LEAD Academy — geared toward health care managers who are either new to their position or looking to enhance their skills — is being held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) on six Tuesdays from April 8 to June 24. Registration is open.
What else to know: During this year’s academy at Sonoma Valley Hospital, attendees will gain concrete skills in understanding themselves and others, navigating staff dynamics, and driving performance. They will also learn strategies for communicating clearly, resolving conflict, coaching staff, and building a strong team in a high-pressure hospital setting.
New CHCF Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Medi-Cal Across All Parties
What’s happening: On March 3, the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) released a statewide poll that assesses attitudes about Medi-Cal and Covered California, and possible reductions to federal funding for both programs.
What else to know: The poll’s executive summary is available on the CHCF website, as is information on the poll questions and methodology. CHCF also has a Defending Medi-Cal 2025 web page that is updated regularly with new data and fact sheets.
Upcoming HCAI Webinar Covers Nonstructural Performance Category 5 Water Rationing Plan
What’s happening: On March 27, the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI’s) Seismic Compliance Unit is holding a webinar from 9-10 a.m. (PT) on the requirement for the nonstructural performance category (NPC) 5 water rationing plan, which would support 72 hours of emergency operations.
What else to know: Registration is open.
Upcoming Webinar Discusses New CDPH Hospital Bed Tracking System
What’s happening: Using the system developed by the Hospital Association of Oregon, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has launched implementation of a statewide, real-time bed tracking system: the Hospital Bed and Emergency Medical Services System (HBEDS).
What else to know: On April 3, CHA is hosting a members-only webinar to share CDPH’s goals for HBEDS and how it works. Registration is open for CHA members.
MedPAC Issues Report to Congress with Payment Recommendations
What’s happening: On March 13, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) released its report to Congress that includes fiscal year 2026 payment recommendations for hospitals and other Medicare fee-for-service payment systems.
What else to know: In the report, MedPAC urges Congress to update the base payment rate for hospitals by current law plus 1%.
