The newsroom includes access to CHA News, which provides timely information to members every Monday and 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
Bill Clarifying Deadline for Anti-Harassment Training Passes Legislature
A bill that would extend the deadline for providing sexual harassment prevention training to Dec. 31, 2020 — Senate Bill (SB) 778 (Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement) — passed the Assembly Floor earlier this week on a unanimous vote and has been sent to the Governor for action. He has until Oct. 13 to either sign or veto it.
Updates for the Week of Aug. 12
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week released the following information:
Hospice Compare Quarterly Refresh Available; Measure Fact Sheet and Q&A Document
SNF Provider Preview Reports Now Available
CHA DataSuite Issues Summary Analysis of Calendar Year 2020 Outpatient PPS Proposed Rule
CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis detailing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) calendar year (CY) 2020 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule. The analysis is intended to show providers how Medicare outpatient fee-for-service payments may change from CY 2019 to CY 2020 based on the policies set forth in the CY 2020 OPPS proposed rule, using the FFY 2020 inpatient prospective payment system final rule wage index.
Provider Claims Must Include Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers by End of Year
In 2018 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) removed Social Security number-based Health Insurance Claim Numbers (HICNs) from Medicare cards and is now using Medicare Beneficiary Identifiers (MBIs) for certain Medicare transactions, such as billing, eligibility status, and claim status. CMS is currently in a transition period through Dec. 31, during which either HICNs and MBIs can be submitted with claims.
Poster Submission Deadline Is Friday for HQI Annual Conference
The deadline for submitting a poster for presentation at the 2019 Hospital Quality Institute Annual Conference is this Friday, Aug. 16. Selected posters will provide one presenter with a 20% discount on conference tuition.
Register by Aug. 19 for Best Rate at Disaster Planning Conference
The deadline to receive discount registration and hotel rates at this year’s Disaster Planning for California Hospitals Conference – to be held Sept. 10-11 in Pasadena – is Aug. 19. After that, registration will increase by $100, and the conference rate for hotel rooms expires.
Discount Deadline Approaches for Sept. 12 CHA Workforce and Human Resources Member Forum
Join colleagues Sept. 12 for CHA’s Human Resources & Workforce Development Member Forum in Sacramento. Register before Aug. 15 for the $30 registration discount; after that, registration will increase to $40. The event is open to all CHA member hospital employees who are interested in or responsible for human resources or workforce development.
Health Alert Issued on Severe Pulmonary Disease Associated With Cannabis Vaping
The California Health Alert Network (CAHAN) reports that, since June, seven cases of severe acute pulmonary disease requiring hospitalization and respiratory support among adults who have been vaping cannabis or cannabidiol oils have been reported to the Kings County Health Officer. Clinicians who encounter similar cases should report them to their local health department.
Final Rule Expands List of Programs to Be Considered Under ‘Public Charge’ Test
On Aug. 12, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized a rule to change the policy under which the federal government can deny immigrants U.S. entry or adjustment to their legal permanent resident status (e.g., green card) if they are determined likely to become public charges (see CHA’s response). The final rule expands the list of programs that may be considered for determining public charge status, to include not only cash assistance and long-term care but also certain health care, nutrition, and housing programs.
CHA to Hold Member Briefing on Finalized Area Wage Index Proposal, Next Steps
CHA will host a complimentary members-only briefing Aug. 16 from 10-11 a.m. (PT) to update members on the finalized changes to the area wage index in the federal fiscal year 2020 inpatient prospective payment system final rule, as well as CHA’s next steps.
Member Stories
Member Stories highlight the impact that CHA member hospitals make in patients' lives and in the communities they serve.
