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 July 15
CMS Proposes Reducing Medicare Payments to Physicians
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its calendar year (CY) 2025 physician fee schedule (PFS) proposed rule.
What else to know: The proposed CY 2025 PFS conversion factor is $32.36, a decrease of $0.93, or 2.8%, from CY 2024.
New OHCA Educational Resources Available
As the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) continues its efforts to curb growth in health care spending following its setting of a 3.5% growth target in April (ramping down to 3% in 2029), CHA has released a series of brief presentations to help hospital leaders understand both the process and potential implications of OHCA decisions.
CHA to Host Seismic Legislation Updates Webinar
What’s happening: CHA will host the members-only Seismic Legislation Updates webinar on July 25 at 9 a.m. (PT).
What else to know: The webinar will focus on updates about Senate Bill (SB) 1432, CHA’s sponsored seismic relief legislation, as it continues to move through the Legislature and was recently voted out of the Assembly Health Committee with a 14-0 vote.
CHA to Host Webinar on Preparing for Extreme Heat and Smoke Impact in Clinical Settings
What’s happening: CHA will host the members-only Preparing for Extreme Heat and Smoke Impact in Clinical Settings webinar on Aug. 19 at 1 p.m. (PT).
What else to know: The webinar addresses heat-related emergency response plans and protocols and leads into the 2024 Disaster Planning Conference on Sept. 10-11. Registration is open.
Hospitals Eligible to Receive Free Naloxone from DHCS
What’s happening: In 2018, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) established the Naloxone Distribution Project (NDP) to distribute naloxone — also referred to as “Narcan” — and fentanyl testing strips to key stakeholders free of charge.
What else to know: Hospital emergency departments are among those who can apply online to receive free naloxone and testing strips. Since the program’s inception, hospitals have received 332,000 naloxone testing kits and 188,000 fentanyl testing kits.
CHA Comments on DMHC Network Adequacy Standards
What’s happening: CHA has submitted a comment letter regarding draft changes to network review standards and methodology, as proposed by the Department of Managed Health Care. What else to know: In the letter, CHA supported the department’s efforts to update the network adequacy standards to reflect the current needs and range of services required by […]
HQI Quality Quarterly Highlights Data-Driven Patient Safety Strategies
What’s happening: The July edition of Quality Quarterly explores why effective patient safety strategies are grounded in the timely collection and analysis of data and examines the rise in sepsis mortality rates in hospitals.
What else to know: Quality Quarterly is intended to support the work of patient safety professionals by providing information on clinical developments, new technologies, and peer learning opportunities.
HRSA Announces Awards to Expand Medical Residencies in Rural Communities
What’s happening: The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded more than $11 million to 15 organizations to establish new residency programs in rural communities.
What else to know: Two California hospitals were recipients of the investment.
Summary: Finalized Provider Financial Penalties for Information Blocking
What’s happening: A members-only summary, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., of the finalized provider disincentives for information blocking is available.
What else to know: The rule is effective July 31.
