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
In Latest Budget Proposal, Lawmakers Prioritize Californians
This week, the Legislature advanced its own version of the state budget in a suite of bills that take critical steps toward shoring up health care across California.
Summaries Detail Changes to Medicaid Payments, Work Requirements
What’s happening: CHA is sharing two analyses prepared by Health Policy Alternatives (HPA) that cover Medicaid rules on directed payments and targeted supplemental payments as well as the implementation of community engagement (work requirement) provisions.
Immediate Action Needed for Prescribers: Ensure Enrollment as Medi-Cal FFS Provider
What’s happening: Claims and prior authorizations will not be processed by Medi-Cal Rx if the prescribing health care provider is not enrolled in Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) with a Type 1 National Provider Identifier. Prescribers not yet enrolled should immediately submit their Medi-Cal provider enrollment application via the Provider Application and Validation for Enrollment page.
Reminder: Include ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes on Medi-Cal Rx Claims
What’s happening: As a reminder, ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes will be required for Medi-Cal Rx claims starting this fall.
HCAI Updates Advisory Guide on Functional Program
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information has released an updated version of the Advisory Guide on Functional Program.
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.
Hospitals Must Weigh in on Penalties, Updated Market Oversight Rules at June 24 OHCA Board Meeting
What's happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA) board meets next week to discuss the proposed spending target penalties, draft changes to the cost and market impact review (CMIR) regulations, and health care spending trends from 2023-2024. Hospitals’ help is needed to push back against the exorbitant penalties proposed by OHCA; see CHA’s alert for guidance...
Provider Enrollment Information Available on Vaccines for Children Program
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released provider enrollment information on the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program.
Psychiatric Hospital Staffing Ratios Closing Beds Across CA, CHA News Release Warns
What’s happening: On Tuesday, CHA issued a news release describing how new staffing ratios for acute care psychiatric hospitals are forcing bed closures and driving youth and adults in mental health crisis into overcrowded emergency departments.
CHA-Sponsored Ballot Initiative Advances to November
Late last week, the CHA-sponsored initiative to give health care workers a voice in how their hard-earned dues money is spent on political campaigns qualified for the November 2026 ballot.
