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
California Health Care-Associated Infection Report for 2016 Released
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released the 2016 health care-associated infection (HAI) report this week. Overall, California hospitals perform better than the national baseline on three types of infections — surgical site infections (SSI), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections (MRSA BSI). California hospitals perform worse on Clostridium difficile diarrheal infections(CDI). Data are reported using a standardized infection ratio (SIR), with the national average of 1. The CDPH Licensing and Certification Program considers high HAI rates when prioritizing hospitals for surveys.
CDPH is publishing reports in a more streamlined format and has updated its website to include a web page for HAIs in each hospital that allows users to compare results for two or more hospitals side-by-side. Detailed infection-specific data tables, as published in prior years, are available only via the California Health and Human Services Open Data Portal. CDPH has also provided an interactive map. To assist hospitals in responding to inquiries about the data, CHA has developed the attached talking points.
Next Covered California Board Meeting Scheduled for Jan. 18
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Covered California will hold its next board meeting in Sacramento on Jan. 18 from 10:30 a.m.– 3 p.m., with an open session estimated to begin at noon.
The agenda includes a report from Executive Director Peter Lee and Covered California staff on the status of policies and programs. The board will discuss 2019 qualified health plan issues, including proposed standard benefit design and the qualified health plan certification policy. The board is scheduled to take action on readoption and permanent rulemaking authorization of the Covered California for Small Business eligibility and enrollment emergency regulations.
Information on participating by webcast or telephone is available in the attached agenda. Meeting materials will be posted in advance of the meeting on the Covered California website.
Agenda Announced for Rural Health Care Symposium
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The full agenda for CHA’s Rural Health Care Symposium is now available. The two-day event, scheduled for March 22 and 23, offers an excellent opportunity for attendees to learn from field experts how to stay ahead of and address health care changes specific to rural hospitals. In addition to the annual CEO roundtable discussion, topics for this year’s symposium include:
Leadership’s responsibilities in establishing organizational culture Establishing profitable and meaningful health plan contracting relationships Utilizing a CEO dashboard to improve operational efficiencies and patient care Measuring patient satisfaction and implementing change using data Partnering with the community to treat patients with behavioral health issues How changing community needs affect hospitals’ delivery of patient care
Rural hospital executives also have a unique opportunity before the symposium to participate in CHA’s 2018 Health Policy Legislative Day on March 20-21. Separate registration is required to attend this event.
For more details about the symposium and to register, visit www.calhospital.org/rural-symposium.
Covered California to Host Small Business Health Options Program Advisory Group Webinar
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Covered California will host the third Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Advisory Group webinar of the year on Aug. 14 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (PT). The SHOP Advisory Group provides advice and recommendations to Covered California staff to help refine policies that ensure Covered California offers value to small businesses that purchase coverage through SHOP. Stakeholders may attend in person or via webinar. To attend in person:The meeting will be held at Covered California, 560 J Street, Suite 290 in the Yosemite and Lassen conference rooms. To register for the webinar, visithttps://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/77977716695614720
Health System CEO Brings First-Hand Experience to CHA’s Disaster Planning Conference
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA is pleased to announce that Leslie D. Hirsch, president and chief executive officer of Saint Clare’s Health System and former president/CEO of Touro Infirmary in New Orleans, will discuss the role of leadership in disaster situations at the upcoming Disaster Planning for California Hospitals Conference in Sacramento. Hirsch will tell the story of how he experienced firsthand Hurricanes Katrina, Irene and Sandy and how he led his hospitals and health system through all phases of response and recovery. Participants will hear about the decisions that led to a full hospital evacuation and gain an understanding of the complexity of business issues during the recovery period.
DOL Updates FMLA Fact Sheet in Light of DOMA Decision
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a revised fact sheet providing guidance to employers on the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). The updated fact sheet modifies the definition of “spouse” in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision, United States v. Windsor. In Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman. The court found that defining marriage to exclude same-sex unions is unconstitutional and violated the equal protections afforded by the Fifth Amendment of the Constitution.
Join Leaders Advocating for Hospitals When Congress Returns from Recess
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
When Congress returns on Sept. 9 from its summer recess, it will confront a number of looming fiscal deadlines, including a continuing resolution (CR) that expires Sept. 30. House Republicans are likely to demand deep cuts in spending in order to avoid a government shutdown on Oct. 1, and the subsequent negotiations will make hospitals vulnerable to unsustainable cuts. It is essential that congressional representatives hear directly from hospital leaders about the impact additional cuts would have on health care delivery and access to care for their constituents. Please join CHA in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 17 to meet face-to-face with legislators as they enter the last days of negotiations before the CR expires. To allow adequate time for scheduling meetings with representatives, CHA asks that members register by Sept. 3 at www.surveymonkey.com/s/chafall2013advocacy.
Covered California Prepares to Roll Out Statewide Marketing Campaign Next Week
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Covered California today released a preview of the first phase of its advertising and marketing campaign to inform Californians about the state’s health benefit exchange, or “marketplace.” The campaign will promote Covered California through television and radio ads, digital and social media, and an updated website showcasing a shop-and-compare tool and a suite of video resources. Beginning Labor Day, Covered California will roll out television ads in three test markets: San Diego, Sacramento and Chico/Redding. By October, other television markets will be added.
CHA Shares Updates on Change Healthcare Cyberattack
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: Hospitals and health systems operations continue to be impacted by the cyberattack on Change Healthcare.
What else to know: CHA supports AHA’s recommendations urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take steps to mitigate the impact on providers experiencing issues with claims processing and pharmacy operations.
CHA’s Advocacy Continues as OHCA Moves Toward Final Growth Target
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: As the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) inches closer to finalizing its first health care spending growth target, CHA and members continue to raise alarm bells on the proposal’s devastating impact, including testifying at this week’s OHCA board meeting. What else to know: This month, CHA commented on the OHCA board’s January...
