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
Setting the Record Straight on Hospital Pricing
In the perpetual game of whack-a-mole where the aim is to debunk nasty myths about hospitals that keep popping up just about everywhere you look, yet another mole poked out its head last week in CalMatters.
CalAIM Section 1115 Renewal Open for Public Comment Until March 12
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has opened a 30-day public comment period — ending on March 12 — to solicit feedback on a five-year renewal request of the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) Section 1115 demonstration.
DHCS Issuing DSH Payments Starting This Week
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will issue full disproportionate share hospital (DSH) payments beginning on Feb. 20.
Action Needed for Prescribers: Ensure Enrollment as Medi-Cal FFS Provider
What’s happening: Beginning on June 26, claims and prior authorizations will not be processed by Medi-Cal Rx if the prescribing health care provider is not enrolled in Medi-Cal fee-for-service (FFS) with a Type 1 National Provider Identifier (NPI).
CHA DataSuite Releases Analysis of FFY 2027 Wage Index and Occupational Mix Date
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific impact analysis of Medicare’s revised public use files (PUFs) data for the development of the federal fiscal year (FFY) 2027 hospital wage index and occupational mix data.
Court Releases Initial Ruling in OHCA Lawsuit
What’s happening: On Tuesday, a San Francisco County Superior Court judge ruled that CHA has not yet demonstrated that it has standing to pursue its claim that policies implemented by the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) are jeopardizing access to and the quality of lifesaving health care, in violation of state law.
OHCA Still Seeking Presentations from Hospitals on Cost-Reducing Strategies
What’s happening: Ahead of its next board meeting on March 25, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) continues to seek presentations from health care providers on strategies that have successfully reduced health care spending while promoting good health outcomes. To date, the board has heard from seven health care entities about their cost-reducing strategies.
CHA’s Coyle to Retire in Early 2027
What's happening: Last week, CHA issued a news release announcing that President & CEO Carmela Coyle would be retiring in early 2027, after a 44-year career in health care policy and advocacy — including nearly 10 years at CHA.
HHS Takes Initial Step Toward Restarting Review Process for 340B Rebate Model
What's happening: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has taken a step toward restarting the administrative process for establishing a 340B rebate model, filing a notice with the Office of Management and Budget that it will look to publish an advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The timing of a proposed rule is unclear at this time, but CHA will keep members apprised of any new administrative process that is put forward.
Insurance Companies Play Blame Game, But They Have Much to Answer For
Late last month, the chief executives of some of the nation’s largest insurance companies — UnitedHealth, CVS, Cigna, Elevance, and the California Blues — trekked to Capitol Hill for a day of hearings where federal lawmakers probed one of the most pressing issues of the day: health care affordability.
