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
Covered California to Host Small Business Health Options Program Advisory Group Webinar
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
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
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
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
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
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
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...
CHA Sponsors Legislation to Address the 2030 Seismic Standards
What’s happening: CHA is sponsoring legislation to address the 2030 seismic standards and supports Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (Wood, D-Healdsburg), which provides seismic relief for rural and district hospitals.
What else to know: A bipartisan group of Senators is jointly authoring CHA’s sponsored legislation.
HQI Report Identifies COVID’s Continued Impact on Patient Safety
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) has released a new analysis identifying five patient safety areas that continue to recover after being derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. What else to know: HQI’s analysis found that workforce challenges like turnover and burnout contributed greatly to a rise in these incidents. Prior to the pandemic, there...
House Leaders Form Bipartisan Task Force on Artificial Intelligence
What’s happening: House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) have formed a new bipartisan task force focused on artificial intelligence.
What else to know: Several of the task force members are actively involved in health care policy.
