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
Hospitals No Longer Required to Report COVID-19 Data to HHS
What’s happening: Hospitals are no longer required to report COVID-19 data mandated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the National Healthcare Safety Network, effective April 30.
What else to know: CMS is proposing a new standard — currently under public comment — requiring hospitals and critical access hospitals to electronically report information about COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and hospital bed capacity in a standardized format and frequency. CMS anticipates that this reporting will begin in October.
Media Coverage of CHA Lawsuit Runs Statewide
What’s happening: Statewide and national media coverage of the CHA lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross includes print articles, news videos, and mentions on local radio stations.
What else to know: CHA filed the lawsuit on April 23 against Anthem Blue Cross, one of California’s largest health insurance companies.
Hearing Set for CHA-Sponsored Seismic Relief Bill
What’s happening: CHA’s sponsored legislation that would provide relief from California’s 2030 seismic construction mandates passed the Senate Health Committee last week on an 11-0 vote. Senate Bill (SB) 1432 is now set for a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on May 6.
What else to know: The chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee is the primary author of the bill, Sen. Anna Caballero (D-Merced).
Updates for the Week of April 29
FDA Finalizes Rule on Laboratory-Developed Tests
What’s happening: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized a regulation of laboratory-developed tests (LDTs), effective July 5.
What else to know: The final rule amends FDA regulations to make explicit that in vitro diagnostic (IVD) products, which include LDTs, are devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
CMS Finalizes Rule on Access to Medicaid Services
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized a rule meant to improve access to care and services for the people enrolled in the Medicaid program.
What else to know: The rule is effective July 9.
CHA DataSuite Analyzes FFY 2025 Medicare Skilled-Nursing Facility Proposed Rule
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite issued a hospital-specific analysis of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025 Medicare skilled-nursing facility prospective payment system proposed rule analysis.
What else to know: The analysis is intended to show hospitals how Medicare fee-for-service payments would change from FFY 2024 to FFY 2025 based on the policies set forth in the proposed rule.
Major Milestone Reached to Improve Care for Medi-Cal Patients
Last week, the Coalition to Protect Access to Care — of which CHA is a founding member — announced that it has submitted enough signatures to qualify a key initiative for the November 2024 statewide ballot.
Digital Campaign Shines Light on Insurance Company Misconduct
What’s happening: This week, CHA launched a comprehensive digital and social media campaign drawing attention to insurance companies that prioritize profits over patient care.
What else to know: The campaign is targeted at Sacramento policymakers and complements CHA’s broader work to hold insurance companies accountable for their obligations to patients.
CHA Will Host Webinar on Mandatory Bundled Payment Model
What’s happening: CHA will host a complimentary, members-only webinar on May 1 at noon (PT) to discuss the mandatory bundled payment model proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Registration is open.
What else to know: CMS proposed the Transforming Episode Accountability Model (TEAM), which will hold selected hospitals accountable for the cost and quality of certain surgical procedures.
