The newsroom includes access to CHA News, which provides timely information to members every Monday and 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
April 1 PPE Stockpile Deadline Is Here
Today marks the day that hospitals are required to have a personal protective equipment (PPE) stockpile per Labor Code 6403.3. The law is clear that the stockpile must consist of seven identified items of PPE in amounts equal to three months of normal consumption. Among other questions, the definition of normal consumption remains unresolved. While CHA continues to advocate that “normal consumption” is defined in reference to 2019 data, Cal/OSHA has not committed to that approach.
Read moreAHA Poster Series Designed to Combat Behavioral Health Stigma
The American Hospital Association (AHA) has launched a People Matter, Words Matter downloadable poster series to help combat behavioral health stigma in health care settings. The poster series is designed to encourage providers to adopt respectful, patient-centered language.
The first poster encourages the use of people-first language, which primarily acknowledges the person rather than the illness or disability. The AHA, along with behavioral health and language experts from member hospitals and partner organizations, will continue this poster series in the coming months.
CHFFA Issues Survey for Eligible Hospitals
The California Health Facilities Financing Authority (CHFFA) has convened a COVID-19 Task Force comprised of health facility association representatives as well as financing team members (including bond counsels, underwriters, and financial advisors) who have worked on previous CHFFA debt financings.
Read moreSubmit 2020 Data for Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program by April 1
CHA reminds members that 2020 data for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program must be submitted by Thursday, April 1 at 8:59 a.m. (PT). Program participants are required to register and attest through the QualityNet Secure Portal.
Read moreCDPH Team Monitoring Vaccine Misinformation
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established a trust and safety team to help ensure the public has accurate and timely information about COVID-19 vaccination.
The department asks that anyone who sees or hears of any vaccine-related rumors across social media or in their communities share them with the trust and safety team at [email protected] for awareness and possible action.
Medicare Sequester Relief Passes
Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1868 as amended, which will continue to delay the implementation of the 2% Medicare sequester until the end of the 2021 calendar year. The House passed the bill last week.
Without action by the House and Senate, the Medicare sequester was set to resume on April 1. The House version included additional protections from cuts to Medicare beginning in 2022; the Senate version did not so the House will have to take up the Senate version. It’s expected to pass, and the President is expected to sign the measure. CHA supported H.R. 1868 and thanks all member hospitals that advocated on behalf of the bill.
Read moreUpdates for the Week of March 22
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued the following updates this week:
CHA Issues Alert: Urge Assemblymembers to Oppose Two Bills That Would Threaten Access to Care for Millions
On Wednesday, CHA issued an Alert, asking hospitals to write to the chair of the Assembly Health Committee and urge members to oppose, unless amended, Assembly Bill (AB) 1130, related to the Office of Health Care Affordability; and oppose AB 1132, related to health care integration.
CHA has developed template letters about AB 1130 and AB 1132 for members’ use. Hospitals are asked to send their letters to the committee by March 29, and send copies to Dawn Vicari at [email protected].
FEMA Releases Updated Policy for Public Assistance Related to COVID-19
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released an updated version of its “Coronavirus Pandemic Medical Care Eligible for Public Assistance” policy.
The updated version includes a new section on allowable costs associated with COVID-19 vaccine distribution and administration. It also updates the conditions of receiving funding to ensure that recipients focus the use of FEMA funding on underserved populations and high-risk communities. Finally, the policy provides details on changes to the federal cost share percentage.
Read moreCDC Grants to Public Health Departments Will Address COVID-19 Disparities; Informational Calls March 30
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an initiative to invest $2.25 billion over two years to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity among populations that are high risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural areas.
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Member Stories
Member Stories highlight the impact that CHA member hospitals make in patients' lives and in the communities they serve.
