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
Lawsuit Against Anthem Enters Appeal Process
Earlier this week, CHA took the next step in an important lawsuit against Anthem Blue Cross. The good news: A Los Angeles Superior Court previously sided with CHA on the merits of the case and recently denied Anthem’s efforts to close off appeal. The bad news: The court previously decided it would “abstain” from further involvement — that is, from providing a remedy. CHA has now filed paperwork to appeal that abstention and seek remedy.
Regulations for Automated Decision-Making Systems Take Effect Oct. 1
What’s happening: The California Civil Rights Department’s regulations governing the use of artificial intelligence and automated decision systems in employment were approved by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) on June 27. They will take effect on Oct. 1.
Sample Violence Victims’ Leave Notice Now Available for Hospitals
What’s happening: On July 1, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) published the Survivors of Violence and Family Members of Victims Right to Leave and Accommodations notice that hospitals may use to comply with notice requirements under Assembly Bill (AB) 2499 (2024).
Health Care Minimum Wage Increases Took Effect July 1
What’s happening: On July 1, the minimum wage for employees of certain hospitals increased per Senate Bill (SB) 525 (2023) and SB 159 (2024).
CMS’ Home Health PPS Proposed Rule for CY 2026 Would Cut Payments by 6.4%; Rule Summary Released
What’s happening: The estimated 6.4% payment reduction in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS’) calendar year (CY) 2026 home health prospective payment system (PPS) proposed rule equates to roughly $1.13 billion less than CY 2025 payments. Comments are due to CMS by Aug. 29.
CDPH Now Requires Fee for Licensing Applications, Written Notifications
What’s happening: All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-19 changes the application review process for all applications submitted to the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Centralized Applications Branch.
CHA Supports Legislation Improving Rural Access to Care
What’s happening: In a June 30 letter to the California congressional delegation, CHA urges members to cosponsor and support the Preserving Emergency Access in Key Sites (PEAKS) Act (S. 1960/H.R. 3778).
CHA Asks CMS to Revise LTCH Outlier Threshold
What’s happening: In recently submitted comments, CHA requested that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revise the fixed-loss outlier threshold in the long-term care hospital (LTCH) prospective payment system.
CDPH Expands Neurodegenerative Disease Reporting to Include ALS
What’s happening: After launching mandatory reporting of certain diseases through the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry on July 1, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has now expanded the list of reportable diseases to include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
CHPSO 2024 Annual Report Underscores Pathways to Prevention
What’s happening: On July 1, the Collaborative Healthcare Patient Safety Organization (CHPSO) — a division of the Hospital Quality Institute — released its 2024 Annual Report, which shares analyses of patterns in diagnostic errors, recaps the year’s signal detection data, summarizes advancements in data quality among CHPSO’s growing membership, and more.
