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
Federal Public Health Emergency Extended Until Mid-October
On July 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) declaration for another 90 days, extending it until Oct. 13.
CMS IPPS Update Far Too Small Given Current Challenges
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
As hospitals throughout the nation struggle to find their financial footing through this latest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ proposed Medicare Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) update for the coming fiscal year falls woefully short of what is needed to preserve access to care and rebuild a tattered health care system.
Updates for the Week of July 11
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
Report Issued on Unified Post-Acute Care Reimbursement Model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) have issued their “Report to Congress: Unified Payment for Medicare-Covered Post-Acute Care.”
Updated FAQs on Staffing Shortages, COVID-19 Surges Now Available
To assist hospitals experiencing a shortage of health care workers or that are challenged in meeting the state’s nurse-to-patient staffing ratio requirements, CHA has updated its FAQs for Hospital Facing Critical Staffing Shortages to clarify certain issues and provide details on questions member hospitals have asked. Also updated are the COVID-19 Surges: Resources for California...
Order Waives Restrictions on Pharmacists Independently Initiating and Furnishing Paxlovid to Individual Patients
On July 6, the Food and Drug Administration amended the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Paxlovid, an orally administered COVID-19 therapeutic drug. The amended EUA expressly permits licensed pharmacists to independently order Paxlovid for individual patients under certain conditions.
AHA Calls for Examples of Hospitals’ Community Impact
As part of its “Seizing the Conversation” initiative to balance the public narrative through examples that illustrate the crucial role hospitals play in their communities, the American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking hospitals and health systems to share examples of the many ways they advance the health and well-being of their patients and communities, beyond...
DHCS Releases Provider Training Webinar Schedule for August
The Department of Health Care Services has announced its Medi-Cal provider training webinar schedule for August.
Medi-Cal Coverage of Community Health Worker Services Effective July 1
On June 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced that, effective July 1, Medi-Cal will cover community health worker (CHW) services, including violence prevention and asthma prevention.
Deadline for Providers to Return Electronic Claims Agreements for Medi-Cal Rx Is July 31
On June 30, the Department of Health Care Services announced an extension and reminder to all participating Medi-Cal Rx providers and billers to submit their completed Medi-Cal Rx Telecommunications Provider and Biller Application/Agreement Form by July 31. If a provider’s form is not received by July 31, they will NOT be able to continue to ...
