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
CMS Issues CY 2020 OPPS Proposed Rule
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued its calendar year (CY) 2020 outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule, including significant proposals related to price transparency and changes to the hospital area wage index (AWI). Specifically, CMS would carry over hospital AWI policies proposed under the federal fiscal year 2020 inpatient PPS (IPPS) proposed rule, applying the finalized inpatient policies to outpatient payments.
Governor Appoints New Deputy Director of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Services
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Gov. Newsom has appointed Kelly Pfeifer, MD, as deputy director of mental health and substance use disorder services for the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Pfeifer has served as director of high-value care at the California Health Care Foundation since 2014, and was chief medical officer of San Francisco Health Plan from 2008 to 2014.
Covered California Report Examines Quality of Care, Delivery System Reform Ahead of QHP Contract Revisions
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
A new report from Covered California reflects its recent efforts to assess the performance of qualified health plans under current contract terms in preparation for updating standards and requirements in the fall.
DHCS Requests Feedback on Access Assessment Report
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
The Department of Health Care Services has issued a draft report on primary, core specialty, and facility access to care for managed care beneficiaries, and requests stakeholder feedback by Aug. 19.
CHA Issues Summary of Proposed Rule on Mandatory Specialty Care Payment Models
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has issued a summary — prepared by Health Policy Alternatives — of the proposed rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that would establish two new mandatory payment models: the Radiation Oncology Model (RO model) and the End-Stage Renal Disease Treatment Choices Model.
CHA Comments on DHCS Draft Proposal on Value-Based Payments for Behavioral Health Integration
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
CHA has submitted comments to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on its draft proposal for value-based payments for behavioral health integration. In the letter, CHA applauds DHCS for recognizing the need to integrate primary and behavioral health services, and for taking steps to improve the health and wellness of those living with behavioral health challenges.
Assembly to Vote on Bill Clarifying Deadline for Anti-Harassment Training
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Earlier this month, the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed Senate Bill (SB) 778 (Committee on Labor, Public Employment and Retirement), which would extend the deadline for providing sexual harassment prevention training to Dec. 31, 2020. The bill is now pending on the Assembly Floor and should be heard when the Legislature returns the week of Aug. 12.
Homeless Patients
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
California has an estimated 134,000 homeless individuals — more than any other state in the nation. Hospitals are on the front lines of this crisis, employing comprehensive strategies to address homeless patients’ complex needs and safely discharge them. CHA has created a number of videos to showcase hospitals engaged in this work.
Cal/OSHA Adopts Emergency Regulations on Wildfire Smoke Exposure
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
Last week, the Department of Industrial Relations’ (DIR) Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an emergency regulation aimed at protecting outdoor workers from the effects of wildfire smoke. The regulation is pending with the Office of Administrative Law and is expected to be approved and take effect in early August.
HQI to Host July 25 Webinar on Strategies for Hospital-Based Maternal Mental Health
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
On July 25 from 10-11 a.m. (PT), the Hospital Quality Institute will host a free webinar to address upcoming maternal mental health education requirements for hospitals. Under Assembly Bill 3032 (Chapter 773, Statutes of 2018) — the Maternal Mental Health Conditions Education, Early Diagnosis, and Treatment Act — hospitals must educate employees who are regularly assigned to perinatal units about maternal mental health conditions.
