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
Duane Dauner Tribute Video
CHA Joins California Medical Association to Ask State to Promote Flu Vaccinations
CHA and the California Medical Association sent a joint letter on Thursday to Gov. Newsom, urging him to create an advisory committee to support a public campaign to increase influenza vaccination rates for the 2020-21 flu season.
FCC Designates 988 for National Suicide Prevention Hotline
Last week, the Federal Communications Commission adopted rules that established 988 as the nationwide three-digit phone number to connect Americans in crisis with suicide prevention and mental health crisis counselors at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
SAMHSA Revises Regulations on Substance Use Disorder Privacy Records
On July 15, the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration published revised regulations and FAQs governing the confidentiality of substance use disorder (SUD) patient records. The revised regulations take effect on Aug. 14.
CMS Issues CY 2021 End-Stage Renal Disease PPS Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its proposed rule updating the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year (CY) 2021. The proposed rule also includes updates to the acute kidney injury dialysis payment rate and changes to the ESRD Quality Incentive Program. Comments on the proposed rule are due Sept. 4.
Register Now for Wildfires During a Public Health Disaster: Incident Action Planning Webinar
The world has been so focused on COVID-19 that it seems summer — and wildfire season — have snuck up on us. An upcoming complimentary webinar only for CHA members, July 29 from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., will focus on Wildfires During a Public Health Disaster: Incident Action Planning.
Updates for the Week of July 13
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
Corrected IRF Provider Preview Reports Now Available
LTCH Provider Preview Reports Now Available
HQRP COVID-19 PHE Tip Sheet Available
Upcoming Public Hearing to Focus on Proposed Amendments to Sales Tax Regulations
The California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA) is holding a public hearing at 1 p.m. (PT) on July 22 about proposed amendments to Regulation 1503, Hospitals and Other Medical Facilities, Institutions and Homes for the Care of Persons, and Regulation 1591, Medicines and Medical Devices.
State Health Leaders Call for Suicide Screening
Citing concern about COVID-19’s immediate and long-term impact on individuals’ mental health, the directors of the Department of Health Care Services and California Department of Public Health, and the state Surgeon General, have called on all California medical and behavioral health providers to ask four suicide screening questions of the people they care for.
Hospital Licensing Fees Increase, but Less Than Expected
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has released its final fee schedule for the state fiscal year 2020-21. While licensing fees have increased, the increase is significantly less than CDPH proposed in February. Specifically, fees statewide were proposed to increase 28%, but instead have increased 15%. Fees in Los Angeles County were proposed to increase 35%, but instead have increased 20%.