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
JAMA Article Examines Behavioral Health Parity Efforts Nationwide
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
A recent article in JAMA — citing data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration — reported that less than two-thirds of patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other serious mental health conditions received care for their illness in 2018, while the same study showed only one in five people with an opioid use disorder obtained treatment.
CMS Delays Occupational Mix Survey Deadline to Sept. 3
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has further delayed the submission deadline for the 2019 Occupational Mix Survey to Sept. 3. CMS collects data every three years on the occupational mix of employees for each short-term, acute care hospital participating in the Medicare program.
Contact Federal Lawmakers to Urge More Financial and Other Support for Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Congressional delegation needs to hear from hospitals to fully understand the magnitude of our financial needs in addressing COVID-19. Today, CHA issued an alert that urges members to contact federal lawmakers to support hospitals with additional financial and other assistance that will aid their response to COVID-19 and help California safely reopen.
U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths Hit Record High of 71,000 in 2019
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Nearly 71,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in 2019, according to preliminary data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The record number of overdose deaths predates the COVID-19 pandemic.
California Hospitals to Receive $10.7 Million in Federal Grant Funds
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Later this week CHA member hospitals will receive a notice alerting them to their portion of the Hospital Association COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Activities Grant, which is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR). CHA distributed the state’s first allocation, $4.1 million, in May. The second allocation of $10.7 million will be distributed in mid-August.
Learn About Eligibility, Claims Process for Federal COVID-19 Uninsured Program
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA will hold a members-only webinar on Aug. 7, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. to explain the Health Resources and Service Administration COVID-19 Uninsured Program. The program, launched in early April, provides claims reimbursement for testing and treatment of individuals with COVID-19 who do not qualify for Medi-Cal, Medicare, or other health care insurers.
OCR Issues Guidance on Civil Rights Protections Prohibiting Discrimination During COVID-19
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Monday, the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued guidance for health care providers on complying with federal civil rights laws during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The guidance focuses on prohibitions against discrimination based on race, color, and national origin, and includes many practical considerations and actions hospitals can take to ensure equitable access to care.
Updates for the Week of July 20
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
HART (Hospice Abstraction Reporting Tool) v1.6.0 is now available Corrected IRF Provider Preview Reports Now Available Register for August 5 Hospice Quality Reporting Program (HQRP) Forum
DHCS Will Hold Hearings on Extending Medi-Cal 1115(a) Waiver
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
California’s Section 1115(a) Medicaid waiver, titled Medi-Cal 2020, was approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Dec. 30, 2015, and is effective through Dec. 31, 2020. The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) intended to implement the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative following the end of the waiver period. However, as shared previously in CHA News, the COVID-19 public health emergency has delayed the implementation of CalAIM to focus on addressing the pandemic.
Coalition Launches Ad Campaign to Urge Financial Relief for Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
As Congress reconvenes this week and the Senate works to finalize its COVID-19 relief package, the Coalition to Protect America’s Health Care — a grassroots digital community of more than 2 million hospital supporters — is executing a comprehensive multimedia strategy to advocate for America’s hospitals, health systems, and their patients and communities.
