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
VA and TriWest Move Forward on Veterans Community Care Network for California
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced resolution of the protest to the contract awarded to TriWest Healthcare Alliance Corp. for Region 4 — including California — of VA’s Community Care Network (CCN). As a result, VA will move forward with implementing CCN Region 4 in partnership with TriWest and will provide an update on the timing in mid-2020.
Board of Pharmacy Updates Guidance for Compounding Drug Preparations
The California Board of Pharmacy released an informational statement this week intended to give compounding pharmacies some direction in light of the United States Pharmacopeia’s (USP) revised and new chapters, which have been delayed.
CMS Issues CY 2020 End-Stage Renal Disease PPS and DMEPOS Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule updating the end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system (PPS) and policies related to durable medical equipment, prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS) for calendar year (CY) 2020. The provisions of the final rule are effective on Jan. 1.
District Court Blocks ‘Conscience Rule,’ Deeming it Unconstitutional
A U.S. District Court judge has voided the Trump administration’s controversial “conscience rule” regulation, which would have protected health care workers who refused to take part in certain health care services — such as abortion, sterilization, and assisted suicide — on religious or moral grounds.
Our Health California Mobilizes Support for Legislation to Address Food Insecurity
Last month, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law Senate Bill (SB) 265, a measure intended to prevent situations where school meal programs pressure students who have fallen behind in paying for their meals — a practice often referred to as “lunch shaming.” Our Health California (OHC), CHA’s online community of Californians with an interest in public health, showed strong support for the law, sending nearly 3,500 emails and more than 480 tweets urging the governor to sign the bill.
Updates for the Week of Nov. 4
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released the following information:
CAHs: Hardship Exception Application Deadline December 2 IRF/LTCH/SNF Quality Reporting Program: Submission Deadline Extended to November 18 Home Health Agency: Final OASIS D-1 Data Submission Specifications Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory Test Payment System: Data Reporting Call — November 14 New Medicare Card: HICN Claims Reject January 1, 2020 Webinar: Submitting CY 2019 Data Using the Next Generation of Hospital Quality Reporting, November 20
CHA’s Coyle Discusses Behavioral Health With Governor’s Mental Health Czar
Tom Insel, MD, behavioral health advisor to Gov. Gavin Newsom, recently sat down for a one-on-one conversation with CHA’s President & CEO Carmela Coyle to discuss behavioral health care challenges across California’s 58 counties. The two discussed fundamental impediments to access to care, including lack of capacity, behavioral health care workforce shortages, getting patients the right care in the right setting, and hospitals’ role in caring for patients’ physical and behavioral health care needs.
Hospitals, Health Facilities Must Report Public Safety Power Shutoffs to CDPH
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 19-30.1 — rescinding AFL 19-30 — explaining requirements and processes for health care facilities to report public safety power shutoff (PSPS) events to CDPH as “unusual occurrences.”
Riverside’s Mayor to Open CHA Summit on Homelessness
Riverside Mayor Rusty Bailey will open CHA’s day-long conference, Caring for Our Patients Who Are Homeless Summit, Dec. 11 at the Riverside Convention Center.
CMS Issues CY 2020 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its final rule updating the Medicare physician fee schedule (PFS), quality payment program, and other Medicare Part B payment policies for calendar year (CY) 2020. The final rule is effective Jan. 1.

