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
CMS Proposes Inadequate IPPS Update for FFY 2026
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026 inpatient prospective payment system (IPPS) proposed rule — which falls short of what hospitals need to keep up with rising costs and health care needs.
Engage Now: OHCA Could Decide Hospital Sector Targets on April 22
What’s happening: At its April 22 board meeting, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board will review stakeholder feedback on staff’s recommended hospital sector spending targets and could adopt the proposal in its current, or a modified, form. CHA urges hospital representatives to submit letters in opposition by April 18 and attend the meeting, either in person or virtually, to provide public comment asking the board reject the proposed hospital sector target recommendations.
District Court Rejects Federal SNF Staffing Requirements
What’s happening: On April 7, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas vacated key portions of the minimum staffing requirements for skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Upcoming Webinar Shares Progress on HQI’s Health Equity Reporting Tool
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute’s (HQI’s) fourth and final webinar on reporting hospital equity measures to the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) under Assembly Bill 1204 (2021) will take place April 23 from 10-11 a.m. (PT).
CHA, Stakeholders Urge Quick Movement on Payment Methodology
What’s happening: At the inaugural Proposition (Prop) 35 “Protect Access to Health Care Act” Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting, held April 14, CHA and other stakeholders urged the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to move forward quickly with a payment methodology that meets two primary goals.
EMSA Withdraws AB 40 Emergency Regulations
What’s happening: On April 14, the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) released a withdrawal notice for its proposed Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) emergency regulations.
Rep. Matsui Raises Concerns About Tariffs’ Effects on Medical Supply Chains
What’s happening: Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA-7) lead a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on concerns about the effect tariffs would have on supply chains for medical supplies, generic drugs, and medical devices.
CMS Issues Post-Acute Care Payment Proposed Rules
What’s happening: On April 11, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its proposed payment policies for inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs), and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2026.
What else to know: Comments on the proposed rules are due to CMS by June 10.
Expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports Due July 1
What’s happening: The first round of expanded Hospital Supplier Diversity Reports required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 (2023) are due to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on July 1.
What else to know: In 2024, the Office of Administrative Law approved HCAI’s regulations to implement AB 1392. This year, the new reporting requirements are fully in effect — and HCAI has developed a new template to support and inform this updated reporting.
DHCS Community Support Updates Take Effect July 1
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has updated service definitions for four of the 14 community supports that Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) may offer as part of the state’s Medi-Cal reform effort, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM). The four updated service definitions go into effect July 1.
