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
Hospital Fee Program Invoices Due Feb. 25
What’s happening: Payments for the Hospital Fee Program 8 directed payment for cycle MC2 DPa are due to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) on Feb. 25. It is critical that all hospitals pay their invoices in full and on time.
CMS Issues Updated Guidance on Medicaid State-Directed Payments
What’s happening: On Feb. 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a letter providing guidance on Section 71116 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which eventually limits the total managed care payment rate received by hospitals to Medicare levels after a temporary grandfathering period. This letter supersedes the guidance CMS released on Sept. 9, 2025.
Federal Spending Deal Includes Key Wins for Hospital Care
Hospitals and health systems are getting some financial relief and operational predictability, thanks to a bipartisan health care spending bill signed by President Trump earlier this week.
Rural Health Symposium to Explore Workforce, Care Coordination, and More
What’s happening: The agenda is set for CHA’s Rural Health Care Symposium, which will be held March 23-24 in Sacramento. This unique symposium, which is dedicated to California’s rural hospital leaders, will explore the specific challenges rural hospitals face and offer valuable insights into a range of critical health care topics.
As CHA Continues Push for Collaboration, OHCA Indicates Openness to Corrected Hospital Financial Data
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA) board met on Jan. 28 to discuss several issues, including enforcement of the spending targets and whether to consider resubmissions of hospital data for the purposes of defining “high-cost” hospitals and assessing compliance with the spending targets.
CHA Urges State to Leverage MCO Funds to Support Directed Payments, Ensure Compliance with Prop. 35 Provisions
What’s happening: Following this month’s release of the 2025-26 spending plan for managed care organization (MCO) tax proceeds generated under Proposition 35 (2024), CHA has submitted recommendations to Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) Director Michelle Baass.
DHCS to Host Webinar on Implementation of One Big Beautiful Bill Act
What’s happening: On Feb. 5 at 11 a.m. (PT), the Department of Health Care Services will host an “all-comer” webinar to walk through its implementation plan for House Resolution (H.R.) 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which will make sweeping changes to Medicaid.
CHA Urges Two Key Changes in CY 2027 MA Proposed Rule
What’s happening: On Jan. 26, CHA submitted comments to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on the calendar year (CY) 2027 Medicare Advantage (MA) proposed rule.
Update on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: Following last year’s announcement of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), CHA has been in close communication with the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), which is responsible for determining how the funds are spent and implementing proposals the federal government approves.
Delay in Staffing Policy Prevents Psychiatric Care Crisis
Earlier this week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced it would delay adopting emergency regulations for acute psychiatric hospital staffing until June 1, rather than its original deadline of Jan. 31.
