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
CHA Symposium Focuses on New Approaches to Behavioral Health Care
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: More than 250 health care professionals and hospital leaders from across California gathered in Long Beach on Dec. 4-5 for CHA’s annual Behavioral Health Symposium.
What else to know: Attendees discussed innovative ways to connect patients to community-based care and tackle stigma, updates to California’s involuntary treatment and emergency services laws, and more.
Upcoming EMSA Commission Meeting to Discuss APOT Report
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: On Dec. 11, the Commission on Emergency Medical Services will convene in San Francisco, where it will discuss an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) report, among other topics. What else to know: The report in the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) Commission Meeting Packet includes APOT data by hospital. More details for the...
DMHC Fines Blue Cross of California for Failing Cancer Patient, Ignoring Complaints
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has fined Blue Cross of California (Anthem Blue Cross) $500,000 after a health plan member was forced to file 17 grievances in order to obtain coverage for cancer care, including chemotherapy. What else to know: Anthem Blue Cross has acknowledged its failure to respond to...
As 2024 Winds Down, Federal Advocacy Heats Up
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
As 2024 begins to come to a close, CHA’s advocacy attention will be focused on advancing priorities in Washington, D.C. We’ll be pushing to ensure federal approval for two critical state issues while also focusing on some key federal issues likely in play in the lame duck session.
Proposed Rule Would Increase Medicare Advantage Plan Oversight
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule for contract year 2026 that would increase oversight of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.
What else to know: The rule includes additional proposed changes to the prior authorization process and guardrails for artificial intelligence use.
Urge Congress to Support Patient Care in Year-End Legislation
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: CHA issued an alert asking members to urge their congressional representatives to support hospital priority issues in year-end legislation.
What else to know: Outreach is needed by Dec. 20 when Congress will wrap up the session.
CHA FAQs Detail AB 2975 Hospital Weapon Detection Requirements
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: Following numerous questions about Assembly Bill (AB) 2975’s requirements, CHA has developed a frequently-asked-questions (FAQs) fact sheet to assist hospitals with planning for implementation. What else to know: AB 2975 will require all hospitals to adopt and implement a weapon detection policy — and screen at certain entrances for instruments capable of causing...
CHA Supports Eliminating Low Wage Index Hospital Policy for FFY 2025
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in support of an interim final rule that eliminates the low wage index policy and associated budget neutrality adjustment for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025. What else to know: The rule was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in response to the U.S. Court of Appeals...
DEA, HHS Extend Telehealth Prescribing Flexibilities
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) extended existing waiver flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telemedicine through Dec. 31, 2025.
What else to know: This is the third extension.
HQI Virtual Forum to Discuss Workplace Violence in Rural, Critical Access Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
What’s happening: Individuals leading and supporting hospital efforts to eliminate workplace violence are invited to the next Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) virtual forum on Dec. 12 at noon (PT). What else to know: The forum will discuss workplace violence concerns and interventions specific to critical access and rural hospitals. Registration is open, and participation is...
