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
White House Considers Mandatory Rate Disclosure
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Trump administration is considering mandating insurers to disclose their negotiated rates for hospital services. This follows a proposal earlier this year that would require hospitals and physicians to inform patients of the full cost of care prior to care being administered.
Draft Federal Legislation Addresses Surprise Billing
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Chair and Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Reps. Pallone (D-NJ) and Walden (R-OR), released draft legislation to address the issue of surprise billing and asked stakeholders to submit comments by May 28. CHA sent a letter to the California congressional delegation outlining our priorities.
CDPH Changes Approval Process for Sterile Compounding Physical Plant Construction Projects
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) earlier this week released All Facilities Letter 19-19, which updates its application process for new or remodeled pharmacy clean rooms and mobile sterile compounding units (MSCUs). Notably, CDPH will no longer accept incomplete applications for pharmacy clean rooms or MSCUs. CDPH states the update is in response to Assembly Bill 2978 (Chapter 992, Statutes of 2018), which requires CDPH to review or deny applications within 100 days of receipt.
Counties Approved to Deliver Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System Services
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
As of April 1, 26 counties were approved to deliver Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) services, representing nearly 88 percent of the Medi-Cal population statewide. Fourteen additional counties are in various phases of implementation.
Federal Court Stops 340B Medicare Rate Cuts for Hospitals
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Last week, a federal district court ruled that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) exceeded its statutory authority when it implemented a 30% reduction to 2019 Medicare reimbursement rates — included in the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2019 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) final rule — for certain pharmaceutical drugs covered by the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
3.6M Californians Would Benefit from Coverage Expansion, Report Finds
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
A new report from the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research examines how current policy proposals to expand coverage would impact residents across the state, finding that as many as 3.6 million Californians would benefit.
CHA Issues Summary of FFY 2020 LTCH PPS Proposed Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has issued a summary — prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc. — of the federal fiscal year 2020 long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system proposed rule. The summary describes payment, policy and quality proposals under the LTCH Quality Reporting Program. Comments on the proposed rule are due June 24.
Improvements Announced for Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor Program
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) this week announced a number of improvements to the Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) Program, seeking to reduce providers’ burden by better targeting program integrity efforts.
Governor’s Revised Budget Makes Important Coverage Investments, Fails to Include Vital Medi-Cal Funding
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Yesterday, CHA issued a news release on Gov. Newsom’s revised 2019-20 state budget. CHA applauds the Governor for making investments that improve Californians’ health and well-being, including: ongoing support for expanding Medi-Cal coverage to young adults, regardless of immigration status; imposing a state-level individual coverage mandate; broader premium subsidies for low and middle-income families; and significant investments in behavioral health.
Assisted Living Waiver Renewal Approved
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Feb. 28, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the Home- and Community-Based Services Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) renewal, effective March 1, 2019, through Feb. 28, 2024. The renewal includes 2,000 slots added in the CMS-approved amendment from October 2018, for a total capacity of 5,744.
