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
Department of Homeland Security Rescinds Public Charge Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Department of Homeland Security has formally rescinded the public charge rule issued by the Trump administration. The rule had allowed immigration officials to consider legal immigrants’ use of federal nutrition, housing, and health programs — including Medicaid — in their applications for residency.
States, Territories to Get Nearly $2.5 Billion from Biden Administration to Address Mental Illness and Addiction Crisis
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Last week, the Biden administration announced it will provide nearly $2.5 billion in funding to states and territories to address the nation’s mental illness and addiction crisis, which has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirm a rise in fatal overdoses during the pandemic, and this year’s increases in calls to helplines across the country are indicative of growing anxiety, depression, and trauma in Americans.
CDPH Updates COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Guidelines
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On March 11, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued three documents updating its guidance on prioritizing individuals for the COVID-19 vaccine. In addition to providing important clarifications on the implementation of vaccines for people with high-risk medical conditions or disabilities, the guidance adds categories of individuals in specified settings who are eligible to be vaccinated due to their increased risk.
First, CDPH updated its Provider Bulletin to add the following individuals to those eligible to be vaccinated beginning March 15:
Health Systems, Vital to COVID-19 Fight, Help CA in Many Other Ways
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CHA Issues Alert Reminder: Urge Senators to Oppose Bill That Would Create a Workers’ Comp Presumption
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On March 10, CHA issued a reminder for an Alert urging hospitals to write to state Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose), chair of the Senate Labor, Public Employment and Retirement Committee, and call their senator to voice opposition to Senate Bill (SB) 213. The bill would create a rebuttable presumption in the workers’ compensation system that an infectious disease, musculoskeletal injury, or respiratory disease arose out of work for any hospital direct patient care worker.
AHA to Host All-Member Advocacy Event on March 16
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New legislation to help hospitals is starting to move through Congress and it may move quickly. Please join the American Hospital Association (AHA) for a special virtual advocacy event on March 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. (PT) to hear the latest on the health care legislative package under consideration and priority issues. CHA will be issuing an Alert with additional details about the legislation and talking points before the AHA event.
CHA Raises Concerns, Asks for Clarifications on Provider Relief Fund Reporting Instructions
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CHA submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking it to provide additional and necessary clarifications related to the Provider Relief Fund (PRF) reporting instructions. In the letter, CHA details specific concerns and recommendations to HHS, including:
CEO Message: Relief for California Hospitals Can Come in Many Ways — But it Must Come
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Today, President Biden signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package that will bring much-needed relief to a wide swath of the country including: an extension of jobless supplement programs, direct $1,400 payments to most Americans, an expansion of the child tax credit, support for restaurants, rental assistance, support for schools, and billions of dollars to state and local governments.
Updates for the Week of March 8
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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
Medicare Part A Cost Report Appeals Listening Session — March 16 April 2021 Update of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) CHART Model Community Transformation Track Letters of Interest Accepted Due April 13, Application Deadline Extended to May 11 CMS Revises Timelines, Application for Medicare Shared Savings Program Cycle for January 1, 2022 Start Kidney Care Choices Model’s First Performance Year Start Date Now January 1, 2022 Save the Date: March 30 CMS Quality Programs Bi-Monthly Forum
HHS Extends Comment Period for Proposed Changes to HIPAA Privacy Rule
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has extended the comment period for the proposed rule that makes changes to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule. Comments are now due to HHS by 2 p.m. (PT) on May 6.
