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
HRSA Releases Updated FAQs on Provider Relief Fund
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has released five new frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF). Four of the new FAQs address:
DHCS Updates 2021-22 DRG Pricing Calculators
The Department of Health Care Services has updated the state fiscal year (SFY) 2021-22 Diagnosis Related Group (DRG) pricing calculators to correct an error on reference tab “5-Policy Adjustors.”
Hospitals Experiencing COVID-19 Surges Can Notify CDPH to Request CMS Survey Suspension
Medical Certification Needed for Medical Baseline Programs
In 2020, the major power utilities in California waived the requirement for medical practitioners to certify a patient’s request to enroll in their medical baseline programs. However, this temporary waiver allowing customers to self-certify their eligibility to enroll ended on June 30, and a signature from a qualified medical practitioner is now required.
HRSA Provides Funding to Small Rural Hospitals for COVID-19 Testing, Mitigation
The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) has provided $398 million in funding from the American Rescue Plan to 1,540 small rural hospitals for COVID-19 testing and mitigation, including $11,885,296 to 46 small rural hospitals in California.
HHS Provides Decision Support Tool for Monoclonal Antibody Treatment
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response has developed an online decision support tool to assist hospitals and health care facilities with efficient distribution of their monoclonal antibody therapeutic supplies.
BRN’s Nurse Practitioner Full Practice Authority Regulations Begin
Assembly Bill (AB) 890 (Wood, D-Santa Rosa), which was signed into law on Sept. 29, will authorize a nurse practitioner who meets certain requirements to practice without physician supervision. The new law will improve access to health care by allowing nurse practitioners greater freedom and flexibility to practice in communities with insufficient primary care services. Details about the changes that will be implemented with AB 890 are available here.
CMS Issues CY 2022 Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its calendar year (CY) 2022 physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule on July 13. Comments on the rule are due by 2 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 13.
CHA Issues Summary of Surprise Billing Regulation
CHA has issued a members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the interim final rule with comment period implementing the No Surprises Act. Comments are due to the Departments of Health & Human Services, Labor, and Treasury by 2 p.m. (PT) on Sept. 7.
Executive Order on Antitrust Doesn’t Recognize Importance of Systems
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Last week, President Biden signed an executive order aimed at driving enhanced antitrust enforcement across multiple sectors of the U.S. economy, including several areas of focus within health care. Specifically, according to the fact sheet, the order encourages the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to enforce antitrust laws vigorously and “recognizes that the law allows them to challenge prior bad mergers that past administrations did not previously challenge.”
