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
OHCA Board Approves Creation of Hospital Sector, Paves Way for Lower Spending Targets in 2026
What’s happening: At the Jan. 28 Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board meeting, the board voted 6-0 to create a statewide hospital sector and focused on options for imposing stricter spending targets on a limited set of “high-cost” hospitals.
What else to know: In February, OHCA staff will propose methodologies for determining which hospitals are high cost and what the spending target values will be. To set a lower sector spending target for at least some hospitals in 2026, OHCA’s board must take formal action by June 1, 2025.
Health Facilities Must Work With College Nursing Programs on Clinical Placements
What’s happening: Effective Jan. 1, Assembly Bill (AB) 1577 (2024) added Section 12775 to the Health and Safety Code, requiring health facilities and clinics to meet with a community college or California State University that has an approved school of nursing upon the college’s request and work in good faith to meet the nursing program’s clinical placement needs.
What else to know: Beginning in 2026, if a health facility or clinic lacks the capability or capacity to meet the college’s needs, the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) will require written justification within 30 days of the meeting, subject to a $1,000 fine for failure to provide the justification.
2025 Symposium to Tackle Critical Challenges Facing Rural Health Care
What’s happening: CHA’s 40th Rural Health Care Symposium, taking place March 10-11 in Sacramento, will provide opportunities to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, and tackle the critical challenges facing rural health care.
What else to know: Registration is open to CHA member hospitals.
Immigration, Citizenship Orders Do Not Alter Patient Privacy Protections
A recent presidential executive order related to birthright citizenship (which has been temporarily blocked by a federal court) and a directive to remove a layer of protection for certain locations (including schools, churches, and hospitals) from immigration enforcement have raised many questions about the appropriate response and requirements for hospitals.
CHA Comments on Medicare Advantage Proposals for 2026
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) proposed policy and technical changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D programs for contract year 2026.
What else to know: Finalization of the proposed rule is expected in April — in time for MA plans to bid to CMS and offer MA products for plan year 2026. The rule, once finalized, will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
CHA Publishes Resources to Support Hospitals’ Congressional Advocacy Efforts
What’s happening: CHA’s new federal resources can assist hospitals in their messaging to lawmakers on health policy options circulating in Washington, D.C. What else to know: The resources cover financial instability, rural hospital care, site-neutral policies, disproportionate share hospital payment cuts, and the 340B drug pricing program.
New Resource Available on Assisted Living Waiver, CalAIM Community Supports
What’s happening: The California Health Care Foundation has issued an Explainer document that describes and compares two key Medi-Cal programs: the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) and Community Supports (a component of California’s Medi-Cal reform initiative, California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM)). What else to know: The document provides an overview of the ALW and the […]
Judge Delays Jan. 27 Hearing on Anthem’s Motions in CHA Lawsuit
What’s happening: A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has delayed the Jan. 27 court hearing on two motions by Anthem Blue Cross — to dismiss CHA’s lawsuit and strike requested remedies — to Feb. 14. In the lawsuit, CHA claims Anthem failed to provide timely post-hospital care for its members.
What else to know: CHA has filed opposition to each of the motions, disputing both Anthem’s legal arguments and its characterization of the facts. The judge’s decision could come as soon as the hearing, but no later than May 14. The judge gave no reason for delaying the hearing.
On the Horizon: A Look Ahead at Health Care Policy Under President Trump
Earlier this week, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States. In his inauguration speech, Trump touched only lightly on health care, noting chronic disease prevention and treatment as priorities.
Judge to Hear Anthem’s Motions in CHA Lawsuit on Jan. 27
What’s happening: A Los Angeles Superior Court judge will hear two motions by Anthem Blue Cross on Jan. 27 to dismiss CHA’s lawsuit and strike requested remedies. In the lawsuit, CHA claims Anthem failed to provide timely post-hospital care for its members. What else to know: CHA has filed opposition to each of the motions, […]
