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
CMS Launches New Model to Improve Maternal Health
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a new model aimed at improving maternal health.
What else to know: State Medicaid agencies can apply in spring 2024 for funding and technical assistance to participate in the model.
Federal Independent Dispute Resolution Fees Finalized
What’s happening: The departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury issued a final rule setting the No Surprises Act independent dispute resolution (IDR) fees.
What else to know: This was in response to an earlier court ruling that found the departments’ approach to setting the administrative fee was impermissible.
Requirements Expanded for Hospital Supplier Diversity Program
What’s happening: Assembly Bill (AB) 1392 expands the existing requirements for the Hospital Supplier Diversity Program for 2025.
What else to know: Beginning with the July 2025 report, hospitals must include their plans for increasing procurement from diverse suppliers, contact information for interested businesses, and descriptions of the procurement processes.
Independent Dispute Resolution Portal Reopened for All Disputes
What’s happening: On Dec. 15, the departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury reopened the federal independent dispute resolution (IDR) portal for all dispute types.
What else to know: Dispute types include previously initiated batched disputes, new batched disputes, and new single disputes involving air ambulance services.
DHCS Receives Federal Approval of the Managed Care Organization Tax
What’s happening: On Dec. 15, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) received federal approval of the managed care organization tax reauthorized in the 2023-24 budget.
What else to know: The MCO tax is expected to generate nearly $5 billion annually in net revenue to the state.
Deadline Approaching to Submit Medicare Physician Attestation Statements
What’s happening: As a condition of participation, Medicare-certified hospitals must complete attestation and acknowledgment of physicians with newly granted admitting privileges in the previous calendar year.
What else to know: Attestation statements for 2022 should be submitted by Dec. 29.
Hospitals Lead on Behavioral Health Care
Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to speak at CHA’s Annual Behavioral Health Care Symposium, joined by hundreds of clinical professionals, representatives from government organizations, and hospital leaders.
Updates for the Week of Dec. 11
National Framework for Health Data Exchange Now Operational
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has announced that a framework to support nationwide health data exchange is now operational.
What else to know: Five organizations are named as qualified health information networks (QHIN) under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA).
HHS Final Rule Aims to Advance Health Information Technology Interoperability
What’s happening: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule on health data, patient access, interoperability, artificial intelligence (AI), and standards to implement provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act.
What else to know: The final rule is effective Feb. 8.
