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
HQI to Host Patient Safety Evaluation System 2025 Virtual Summit
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is hosting the Patient Safety Evaluation System 2025 Virtual Summit on May 28-29 from 8 a.m. to noon (PT). Registration is open. What else to know: The summit will provide information to help health care professionals communicate better (internally and with patients) and improve patient care delivery. Presenters […]
Hospitals Must Report Community Benefit Activities to HCAI
What’s happening: On Jan. 31, the Office of Administrative Law approved the final adopted program regulations that standardize how hospitals must report their community benefit activities to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI). They went into effect immediately.
What else to know: The approved regulations specify the information hospitals are required to include in their community benefits plans and reports, the deadlines for submitting the required reports, and the method of submission. These regulations were also filed with the Secretary of State.
OHCA Board Considers Proposal to Adopt Reduced Spending Targets for ‘High-Cost’ Hospitals, CHA Voices Strong Opposition
What’s happening: On Feb. 25, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board indicated general support for a formal proposal to impose reduced sector spending targets of 1.6% to 1.8% on 11 hospitals. However, a formal decision is not expected until April or May, following the conclusion of a 45-day public comment period on April 11
What else to know: In written and verbal comments, CHA voiced strong opposition to these proposed targets, noting that they not only come three full years before statutorily required, but are also deeply flawed, as they ignore critical factors relevant to understanding California’s hospitals.
CHA Gathering Focuses on Financial Sustainability of Critical Access Hospitals
What’s happening: CHA convened leadership from California’s critical access hospitals (CAHs) for a strategic discussion on achieving financial sustainability. The meeting took place Feb. 20-21 in Sacramento.
What else to know: CEOs and chief financial officers from private, system, and district hospitals participated in small group discussions — led by Todd Linden of Linden Consulting, a retired CEO with 40 years of experience in CAH leadership — to identify the most pressing operational challenges and explore potential solutions. Key issues include aging infrastructure and persistent workforce shortages.
Registration Opens for DHCS Birthing Care Pathway Webinar
What’s happening: On March 4, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is hosting a webinar from 3-4:30 p.m. (PT) to discuss the Birthing Care Pathway, a comprehensive policy and care model roadmap to address racial and ethnic disparities throughout the journey of pregnant and postpartum Medi-Cal members — from conception through 12 months postpartum. Registration is open.
What else to know: The goals of the roadmap are to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality and address these significant disparities in maternal health outcomes among Medi-Cal members who are Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander.
HQI Webinar Shares Actionable Suicide Prevention Strategies
What’s happening: On March 13 from 10-11:30 a.m. (PT), the Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is hosting the What Leaders Should Know: Actionable Suicide Prevention Strategies webinar.
What else to know: Attendees will gain practical strategies for initiating supportive conversations with those who may be struggling and learn about vital resources available to help. Registration is open.
HCAI to Host Webinar on Seismic Grant Program
What’s happening: On March 4, the Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) Seismic Compliance Unit is hosting a webinar from 10 a.m. to noon (PT) on Assembly Bill (AB) 869 (2024). The webinar will cover seismic compliance, eligibility criteria for extensions beyond the 2030 deadline, and HCAI’s activities related to AB 869 implementation.
What else to know: AB 869 allows for the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, as well as small, rural, critical access, or health care district hospitals, to apply for a delay to the Jan. 1, 2030, seismic compliance deadline by up to three years. Webinar registration is open.
HCAI Releases Hospital Equity Toolkit to Support AB 1204 Compliance
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information’s (HCAI) new Hospital Equity Toolkit supports hospitals’ reporting of health equity-related data, as required under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021). What else to know: AB 1204 (2021) requires hospitals to submit annual reports for measures on patient access, quality, and outcomes by race, ethnicity, language, […]
Time to Speak Out Against Budget Proposals That Threaten Health Care
As a federal debate heats up over legislation that could bring historic cuts to Medicare and Medicaid (Medi-Cal), it’s essential that California’s federal representatives hear from hospital leaders about how these cuts would devastate both access to health care and hospitals struggling to deliver vital health services.
Medicare Patient Reclassification Notices Now in Effect
What’s happening: Effective Feb. 14, providers are required to issue a Medicare Change of Status Notice (MCSN) to eligible patients who were admitted as hospital inpatients, but the hospital subsequently reclassified them as outpatients who are receiving observation services.
What else to know: This requirement only applies to patients with traditional Medicare as the primary payer. The form and its instructions are available to download.
