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 Issues Alert as Key Seismic Legislation Moves Forward
What’s happening: Earlier this week, CHA issued an alert encouraging members to contact their state senators to support Senate Bill (SB) 1432, which would extend the 2030 seismic compliance deadline.
What else to know: SB 1432 passed the Senate Health Committee 11-0 last month. It will next be considered in the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 16; the committee chair is the bill’s lead author. The amended bill includes the following:
CHA to Host Webinar on Doula Access in Hospitals
CHA to Host Seismic Legislation Webinar
HHS Finalizes Privacy Rule to Protect Reproductive Health Information
What’s happening: The Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a final rule prohibiting entities regulated by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act Privacy Rule from using or disclosing protected health information (PHI) to investigate or prosecute patients, providers, or others involved in providing legal reproductive health services.
What else to know: The final rule is effective June 25, and covered entities are required to comply within 240 days. Hospitals will need to update their policies and procedures to comply with these new rules.
HHS Issues Rules on Nondiscrimination in Health Care
What’s happening: The Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) issued two final rules to strengthen nondiscrimination protections in health care.
What else to know: These rules also aim to ensure equitable access to health care. Hospitals will need to update their policies and procedures to comply with the new rules.
CHA Emergency Services Forum Discussed Patient Volume, Regulations, and Innovation
What’s happening: CHA hosted the 2024 Emergency Services Forum on May 6 in Newport Beach, California. The forum covered an array of topics, including compliance with legislation, regulating ambulance patient offload time, the impact of recent changes in the behavioral health system on emergency departments (EDs), and a keynote address by RaDonda Vaught, a nurse who was convicted of negligent homicide after accidentally giving a patient the wrong medication.
What else to know: The forum saw a record attendance of 156 attendees this year, a capacity crowd of professionals and providers from around the state. The gathering provided clarity on laws that affect EDs, previewed upcoming regulations, and provided ED personnel the opportunity to discuss prehospital challenges. Those in attendance said it was a reminder there is a resilient community to lean on.
Summary: Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule
What’s happening: A summary of the finalized changes and clarifications regarding Medicaid managed care delivery and finance is available.
What else to know: The regulation is effective July 9.
Federal Agencies Issue Alert on Black Basta Ransomware Group
What’s happening: Several federal agencies issued a joint cybersecurity advisory on the Black Basta ransomware group accelerating attacks targeting the health care industry.
What else to know: Black Basta has attacked at least 500 organizations globally between April 2022 and May 2024.
Survey Spotlights Care Access Challenges Facing Central Valley Residents
What’s happening: The California Health Care Foundation (CHCF) convened health care leaders and community organizations in Fresno on May 15 to discuss the results from the 2024 Central Valley Health Policy Survey.
What else to know: The survey gathered responses from more than 1,500 residents in five Central Valley counties on the challenges they face accessing health care in their communities.
House Approves Bills Focused on Rural Health Care
What’s happening: The House Ways and Means Committee approved six bills that address a wide range of pressing health care issues facing rural communities.
What else to know: CHA will continue to work with members of the California delegation to support these measures and urge their passage into law.
