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
DHCS Shares Flexibilities for Hospitals in Light of Los Angeles Fires
What’s happening: On Feb. 4, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order that removed certain barriers to expedite relief for survivors of the Los Angeles fires. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has also extended audit-related administrative flexibilities due to the fire and has shared with CHA highlights of these flexibilities that may affect hospitals.
What else to know: The executive order extends deadlines for health care providers to submit requests to DHCS for scope of service changes. Additional details about these and the DHCS audit-related administrative flexibilities are outlined in this document.
OHCA Faces Tough Questions from Lawmakers, Hospitals
What’s happening: In a March 3 hearing, members of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health pressed Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) leadership to answer questions on the impact its statewide and hospital-sector targets will have on patient care.
What else to know: During the hearing’s public comment portion, nearly 20 hospitals and health care organizations voiced their concerns with OHCA’s failure to account for the cost drivers and expenses that hospitals face and shared how these targets will negatively affect patient care.
Court Agrees with Key CHA Arguments in Anthem Lawsuit But Will Not Hear Rest of Case
What’s happening: A Los Angeles Superior Court Judge has ruled on CHA’s lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross, finding that it is the responsibility of health plans to arrange for and transition to post-acute care services for their members.
State Legislative Landscape Starts to Come Into Focus
A little more than two weeks ago, the deadline passed for California lawmakers to introduce bills for this year’s legislative session. In all, some 2,350 bills are in play this year — a number in line with historical trends.
Comments on Proposed EMSA Critical, Specialty Care Program Regulations Due April 3
What’s happening: The Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) is proposing to update a chapter of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) that covers critical and specialty care programs, including as trauma, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), stroke, and emergency medical services for children (EMSC) systems. Written comments on the proposed regulations are due April 3.
What else to know: The proposed revisions — to CCR Title 22, Division 9, Chapter 6 on Specialty Programs — were developed in collaboration with the California state technical advisory committees for trauma, STEMI, stroke, and EMSC. Each committee included CHA representatives.
OHCA’s Rush Will Be Detrimental to Patient Care
The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) is racing toward imposing even tighter spending growth caps well below the rate of inflation on a handful of California hospitals, which will irreparably harm patient care.
HQI to Host Patient Safety Evaluation System 2025 Virtual Summit
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is hosting the Patient Safety Evaluation System 2025 Virtual Summit on May 28-29 from 8 a.m. to noon (PT). Registration is open. What else to know: The summit will provide information to help health care professionals communicate better (internally and with patients) and improve patient care delivery. Presenters […]
Hospitals Must Report Community Benefit Activities to HCAI
What’s happening: On Jan. 31, the Office of Administrative Law approved the final adopted program regulations that standardize how hospitals must report their community benefit activities to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). They went into effect immediately.
What else to know: The approved regulations specify the information hospitals are required to include in their community benefits plans and reports, the deadlines for submitting the required reports, and the method of submission. These regulations were also filed with the Secretary of State.
OHCA Board Considers Proposal to Adopt Reduced Spending Targets for ‘High-Cost’ Hospitals, CHA Voices Strong Opposition
What’s happening: On Feb. 25, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board indicated general support for a formal proposal to impose reduced sector spending targets of 1.6% to 1.8% on 11 hospitals. However, a formal decision is not expected until April or May, following the conclusion of a 45-day public comment period on April 11
What else to know: In written and verbal comments, CHA voiced strong opposition to these proposed targets, noting that they not only come three full years before statutorily required, but are also deeply flawed, as they ignore critical factors relevant to understanding California’s hospitals.
CHA Gathering Focuses on Financial Sustainability of Critical Access Hospitals
What’s happening: CHA convened leadership from California’s critical access hospitals (CAHs) for a strategic discussion on achieving financial sustainability. The meeting took place Feb. 20-21 in Sacramento.
What else to know: CEOs and chief financial officers from private, system, and district hospitals participated in small group discussions — led by Todd Linden of Linden Consulting, a retired CEO with 40 years of experience in CAH leadership — to identify the most pressing operational challenges and explore potential solutions. Key issues include aging infrastructure and persistent workforce shortages.
