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
New Features Coming to CalHEART Reporting System
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health Center for Health Care Quality announced that a new version of the online California Healthcare Event and Reporting Tool (CalHEART) will be released Oct. 27.
CDPH Issues Updated Informed Consent for Psychotherapeutics in SNFs
What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-27, providing information on regulations related to a patient's right to be free from psychotherapeutic drugs and ensuring informed consent before treatment with such drugs.
CDPH Updates SNF Guidance on Preventing COVID-19, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viral Infections
What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-28, which shares an updated guidance document with recommendations and strategies skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) should use to prevent and control COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viral infections.
Giving Workers a Voice, a Vote, and a View
Efforts to give California’s health care workers a greater say in how their hard-earned dues dollars are spent are fully underway, with the filing last month of a statewide ballot initiative for the November 2026 election.
CDPH Updates ‘Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting’ with Expanded Multiple Sclerosis Codes
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Neurodegenerative Disease Registry (CNDR) updated its Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting.
DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files
What’s happening: On Sept. 26, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital data sets that hospitals must download before the files are deleted on Nov. 10.
New Dashboard Allows Hospitals to Show the Local Harms of OHCA Spending Limits
What’s happening: CHA has created an interactive dashboard tool to help members see the local impact of the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) hospital spending caps. The tool allows members to filter by California Assembly, Senate, or congressional district to visualize the potential losses in hospital revenue, jobs, and local economic activity by 2029...
2025 Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference Agenda Now Finalized
What’s happening: On Nov. 3-4, California hospital finance experts will gather at CHA’s members-only Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference to examine the fiscal impact of state and federal regulations and policies on hospitals.
Public Comments Due Oct. 17 for DHCS’ 2026 Distinct Part Nursing Facility, Subacute Draft Rates
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently posted the calendar year (CY) 2026 draft rates for Distinct Part Nursing Facilities, Level B and Distinct Part Subacute on its website.
Texas Secures Major Legal Victory in Provider Tax Dispute, Implications for California Not Yet Known
What’s happening: In a favorable ruling last week, a Texas district court vacated a set of policies from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that bar private provider arrangements from redistributing Medicaid funding in connection with provider tax programs.
