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
Updates for the Week of Jan. 4
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
Instructions to Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) on COVID-19 Emergency Declaration Blanket Waivers for Medicare-Dependent, Small Rural Hospitals and Sole Community Hospitals COVID-19 Vaccines: CDC Long-Term Care Facility Toolkit CMS Provides Extension for Certain Medicare Cost Reports
Friday Webinar Will Detail State Health Order on Hospital Surge
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
To help hospitals and health systems understand the State Health Order on Hospital Surge that was issued by the California Department of Public Health on Jan. 5 and amended on Jan. 6., CHA will host a webinar Jan. 8 from 8 to 9 a.m. (PT).
HHS Issues Guidance Requiring Manufacturers to Provide 340B Discount at Contract Pharmacies
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Dec. 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services general counsel issued an advisory opinion requiring pharmaceutical manufacturers to sell covered entities 340B drugs at or below the ceiling price when those drugs are distributed through a contract pharmacy.
Medicare Sequester Suspension Extended Through March
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, signed into law on Dec. 27, extends the suspension of the 2% Medicare sequester until March 31. The suspension, which was included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, took effect on May 1, 2020, and was scheduled to expire on Dec. 31, 2020.
Federal Court Blocks Implementation of Medicare Part B Drug Pricing Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Dec. 28, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction preventing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from implementing the Most Favored Nation (MFN) interim final rule.
Statewide COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Expired Dec. 31; Many Local Ordinances Continue
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
California’s COVID-19 supplemental paid sick leave (SPSL) officially expired on Dec. 31. The labor commissioner’s website notes “that workers taking SPSL as of December 31, 2020, may continue to take the leave they are currently on even if the entitlement extends past December 31, 2020. For example, an employee who exhibited symptoms and was recommended to isolate on December 28, 2020, may continue to utilize the SPSL they would be entitled to even if that isolation is required to extend into 2021, and be paid for the time according to the requirements of the SPSL law.”
CMS Approves One-Year Extension of Medi-Cal 2020 Waiver
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Dec. 29, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for a one-year extension of the Medi-Cal 2020 Section 1115 demonstration, through Dec. 31, 2021.
OMB Releases Audit Compliance Supplement for COVID-19 Funding
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The federal Office of Management and Budget has released an anticipated compliance supplement related to COVID-19 funding for providers subject to single audit requirements.
Application Deadline for Mental Health Wellness Grant Program Is Jan. 29
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) reminds potential applicants that the deadline to apply for the Investment in Mental Health Wellness Grant Program for Children and Youth (Children and Youth Program) second funding round is 5 p.m. (PT) on Jan. 29.
Federal Appeals Court Upholds Price Transparency Requirements
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On Dec. 29, a three-judge panel of the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against a challenge brought by the American Hospital Association (AHA) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) hospital price transparency final rule. As a result, the requirements became effective on Jan. 1.
