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
CDPH Extends Statewide Space Waiver, OSHPD Issues Updated Notice
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
In case you missed it, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced on July 16 in All-Facilities Letter 20-26.9 that the statewide space waiver for hospitals, which was set to expire July 17, has been extended until Sept. 30.
California Supreme Court Issues Ruling on Missed Meal, Rest, and Recovery Period Compensation
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
A recent California Supreme Court decision on meal, rest, and recovery period violations could have major implications for many of the state’s employers — including hospitals.
Under current law, an employee who does not receive a meal, rest, or recovery period is owed “one additional hour of pay at the employee’s regular rate of compensation.” For many labor attorneys, this was interpreted to mean an additional hour of pay at the employee’s base pay rate — that is, the employee’s hourly pay rate, not including overtime compensation or bonuses. However, under a recent California Supreme Court decision, this is no longer permissible.
On July 15, the court ruled unanimously in Ferra v. Loews that the requirement of an additional hour of compensation at the employee’s “regular rate of compensation” has the same meaning as “regular rate of pay,” requiring the inclusion of overtime and bonuses with the employee’s base pay rate. As this ruling is retroactive, hospitals that compensate missed meal, rest, and recovery periods solely based on the employee’s base pay rate are out of compliance with the law and may face significant legal liability.
CHA encourages all hospitals to review their pay practices to ensure they are in full compliance with the law and to reach out to their California labor law counsel with any questions.
Blue Shield Transitions from Third-Party Administrator to Advisory Role for State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Program
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On July 21, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that it will transition Blue Shield of California from its role as third-party administrator to an advisory role as needed.
Quality and Safety Through Transparency and Compassion
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
As the quality and safety arm for CHA and the Regional Associations, the Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is always working to find new ways to help hospitals not only improve the lives of the patients they touch, but also create a culture of patient safety within their organizations.
CMS Issues CY 2022 Outpatient Prospective Payment System Proposed Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued its calendar year 2022 outpatient prospective payment system proposed rule. CHA is analyzing the regulation and will provide additional details in Thursday’s CHA News.
New HQI Program Inspires Culture Change, Drives Patient Safety
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) and CHA’s three regional associations — Hospital Council – Northern & Central California, the Hospital Association of Southern California, and the Hospital Association of San Diego & Imperial Counties — have launched a new program called HQI Cares: Implementing BETA HEART® to Build a Culture of Safety.
CHA Webinar on No Surprises Act Will Detail Implementation for California Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA will host a complimentary, members-only webinar on Aug. 6 from 9 to 10 a.m. (PT) to discuss implementation of the No Surprises Act and to help members understand the notice and consent process, along with qualifying payment calculation.
CHA Submits Concerns About White Bagging to Department of Consumer Affairs
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has submitted a letter of concern to the Department of Consumer Affairs about quality-of-care issues inherent in the payer practice known as white bagging.
CMS To Host National Stakeholder Call on No Surprises Act Interim Final Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national stakeholder call at 12:30 p.m. (PT) on July 22 to discuss the interim final rule with comment period implementing the No Surprises Act, which addresses surprise medical billing at the federal level.
CHA Issues Summary of CY 2022 End Stage Renal Disease PPS Proposed Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has issued a members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the proposed rule released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updating the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) for calendar year 2022.
