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
Medi-Cal Rx Claims to Require ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Codes Beginning This Fall
What’s happening: Starting this fall, ICD-10-CM diagnosis code(s) will be required for Medi-Cal Rx claims. This change is being made to better implement appropriate utilization management controls, including prior authorization.
DIR Releases Updated Draft Plume Rules; Comments Due June 1
What’s happening: On April 24, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) posted the latest draft regulations for occupational exposure to surgical smoke (plume) in health care. The comment period ends on June 1.
Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health Gets Update on DHLP, Rural Health Transformation Program
What’s happening: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health met this week to receive an update from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) on the Distressed Hospital Loan Program (DHLP), as well as implementation of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).
CHA Pushes Back Against OHCA Board’s Desire to Fine Its Way to Affordability
What’s happening: Yesterday, the Office of Health Care Affordability board convened to discuss financial penalties for exceeding the spending targets, a baseline analysis of hospital spending growth between 2022 and 2023, and updates for the cost and market impact review program.
Ahead of June 1 Deadline for Psych Staffing Ratios, CDPH Accepting Program Flex Requests
What’s happening: As the June 1 deadline for free-standing acute psychiatric hospitals staffing ratios approaches, CHA is continuing conversations and advocacy with the California Health and Human Services Agency and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to urge adjustments to the department’s draft regulations.
CHA’s Coyle Receives 2026 AHA Board of Trustees Award
What’s happening: CHA President & CEO Carmela Coyle was one of four retiring state hospital association executives to receive the 2026 Board of Trustees Award at the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting earlier this week.
Final Week to Register for Cal HQ Quality Event-Now with Livestream Option
What’s happening: Hospital quality leaders are encouraged to register for Cal HQ’s in-person kickoff meeting on April 30 in Sacramento; a livestream option is also available.
Hospital Fee Program 9 Payment Policies Likely to Be Finalized in Early May
What’s happening: The California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has indicated that payment policies are likely to be finalized in early May for the revised Hospital Fee Program tax model for calendar year 2025 (Program 9), which was submitted to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) last month. Soon after finalization, a model will be...
In Comments on Proposed APOT Regulations, CHA Urges Stronger Collaboration and Accurate Data Publication
What’s happening: Last week, CHA submitted comments to the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) on the proposed Chapter 1.2 Ambulance Patient Offload Time (APOT) regulations, which implement provisions of Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023).
CHA-Sponsored Ballot Initiative Crosses Major Milestone
Earlier this week, the Californians for Health Care Workers’ Right to Vote campaign submitted nearly 1 million signatures to county elections offices to qualify the Health Care Union Transparency, Accountability & Union Member Right to Vote Act for California’s November ballot.
