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
New Anthem Policy Driven by Profits, Not Patients
Earlier this week, CHA sent a pointed letter to the president of Anthem Blue Cross of California, calling out the insurance behemoth’s new multistate payment policy — an unjust and harmful practice that will penalize California hospitals for providing care to patients involving non-participating physicians or providers.
State Submits Hospital Fee Program 10 to CMS
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted its Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2026 (Program 10) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
State to Issue DSH April Payments Starting Next Week
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will issue disproportionate share hospital (DSH) April payments for the period of February-March 2026.
DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files
What’s happening: On March 27, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital data sets that hospitals must download before the files are deleted on May 11.
House Letter Urges Appropriators to Block Funding for 340B Rebate Model
What’s happening: U.S. Rep. Doris Matsui led a bipartisan letter requesting that the fiscal year 2027 appropriation bill include language barring the use of funds for implementation of any 340B Rebate Model, including the previously proposed Pilot Program.
Updated HPSA Designation List Available from HCAI
What’s happening: Due to federal policy shifts, many of California’s Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations are currently “Proposed for Withdrawal” on July 1. An updated and more comprehensive list from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is available to help hospitals located in a HPSA assess their status.
Hospital APOT Reduction Protocols Due June 30
What’s happening: As a reminder, all hospitals must submit an ambulance patient offload time (APOT) reduction protocol — required under Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) — to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) annually on or before June 30. CHA recommends hospitals submit their protocols as soon as possible.
Rural Health Care Matters
I had the privilege earlier this week to welcome and join one of the most important gatherings of rural health care leaders in California: CHA’s annual Rural Health Care Symposium.
Recording of Hospital Fee Program Executive Briefing Now Available
What’s happening: A recording of CHA’s March 18 executive briefing on the Hospital Fee Program is now available for members who may have missed it.
New Documents Available on Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI) has released two documents — FAQs and briefing slides — on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
