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
CHA Urges Continued Collaboration, Improvements to Audit Tool in Comments on AB 40 Regulations
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Emergency Medical Services Authority on the proposed Chapter 1.2 Ambulance Patient Offload Time Emergency Medical Services Authority regulations, which implement provisions of Assembly Bill 40 (2023).
CHA Alert: Action Needed on Distressed Hospital Loan Program, Hospital Mandates Bills
What’s happening: Earlier this week, CHA issued a dual alert asking members to sign on to coalition letters for its two sponsor bills: Assembly Bill (AB) 2353 (Pacheco, D-Downey), which would require an independent cost evaluation of mandates on hospitals, and AB 1923 (Soria, D-Merced), which would revive the Distressed Hospital Loan Program. For AB 2353, members should also submit a support letter highlighting previously imposed mandates that have caused the hospital to...
Future of Medi-Cal Commission Advisory Group Discusses Draft Priorities
What’s happening: The Advisory Group for the Future of Medi-Cal Commission held its second meeting on March 3. The group met to review and provide feedback on draft priorities that will help shape the commission’s recommendations for the long-term direction of California’s Medicaid program.
Hospital Action Required to Retain HPSA Designation
What’s happening: Approximately 100 of California’s roughly 374 Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations are currently "Proposed for Withdrawal" on July 1. This is largely due to a federal policy shift that requires all recertifications to be conducted simultaneously, as well as resource shortages within the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).
CHA Sounds Alarm on Psych Hospital Staffing Regulations
What’s happening: In recent comments to California’s Health and Human Services Agency, CHA urges the state to mitigate the incredible impact of the impending staff ratio regulations for California’s psychiatric hospitals, the patients they serve, and already overcrowded emergency departments.
Affordability, Drug Pricing in Focus at Key AHA Meeting
Discussions at this week’s American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board 9 meeting will delve into several timely and weighty issues for hospitals in California and nationwide.
State Consulting Contract Targets Medi-Cal Oversight, Program Integrity, and Hospital Payment Reform
What’s happening: The California Department of Finance has hired Boston Consulting Group — under a contract worth up to $20 million — to identify cost savings and operational improvements across several state programs, including oversight of Medi-Cal managed care plans, Medi-Cal fraud detection, and hospital payment policies.
CHA Sets Record Straight at Joint Legislative Hearing on Affordability
What’s happening: On Wednesday, the Assembly and Senate Health Committees convened a joint hearing intended to focus on the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on California’s health care system, rising costs, coverage losses, and potential state-level responses.
At Inaugural Patient and Consumer Forum, Attendees Urge OHCA to Protect Access
What’s happening: This week, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) held its inaugural patient and consumer forum, providing an opportunity for staff to directly engage with patients, consumers, and advocates.
Anthem to Impose 10% Penalty on Hospital Claims Involving Non-Participating Providers
What’s happening: Anthem Blue Cross of California announced in a provider bulletin that, on June 1, it will implement a controversial policy that applies a 10% payment penalty on facility claims when hospitals provide care to patients involving non-participating physicians or providers.
