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
Federal Funding Will Bolster Medi-Cal Reimbursement for Inpatient Psychiatric Care
What’s happening: On Dec. 16, California was approved for the large BH-CONNECT behavioral health demonstration project, which is estimated to bring $5 billion of new federal Medicaid dollars for California over the next five years.
2025 Rural Health Care Symposium Is Fast Approaching
What’s happening: In just two months, on March 10-11, the 40th Rural Health Care Symposium will take place in Sacramento and will address the most pressing issues facing rural hospitals today. What else to know: The symposium will cover emerging trends and legislative challenges, updates on the Office of Health Care Affordability and the Hospital...
Timeline Undetermined for Implementation of AB 40 Regulations
What’s happening: Due to state budget constraints, the state Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has not yet approved the Emergency Medical Services Authority’s (EMSA) Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023) regulations for public comment. What else to know: AB 40 passed in 2023 with the intent of improving long ambulance patient offload times (APOTs). Despite the...
HQI to Host Five-Part Webinar Series on Building a Hospital Safety Culture
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a five-part webinar series to address strategies for increasing patient safety and improving response to patient harm. What else to know: The series will provide a deep dive into the five domains of HQI’s flagship program, HQI Cares: BETA HEART®, and explore their alignment with the...
CMS Responds to Congressional Letter Urging Adequate IRF Access
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure has responded to a congressional letter, signed by several members of the California delegation, that urged CMS to take steps that will ensure Medicare Advantage (MA) plan beneficiaries have access to medically necessary inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF) care. What else to know:...
AHA Survey on 340B Rebate Model Closes Jan. 10
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) is asking hospitals to complete a survey by Jan. 10 to help it understand how a 340B rebate model would impact 340B member hospitals. What else to know: Completing this 10-question survey will help AHA understand the financial, operational, and patient impacts that a rebate model — such...
CHA Releases Summary of New Hospital Bed Tracking System
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) received the authority and funding to implement a real-time hospital bed capacity system through Assembly Bill 177. CDPH plans to work with the Hospital Association of Oregon to implement the Healthcare Capacity System (HCS), developed by its affiliate, Apprise What else to know: CDPH selected HCS...
New Interoperability Final Rule Focuses on Information Sharing
What’s happening: The Assistant Secretary for Technology Policy (ASTP) and Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued the second part of a final rule to advance interoperability and improve information sharing among patients, providers, payers, and public health authorities. What else to know: This final rule focuses on information blocking exceptions, including...
HCAI Updates Policy on Alternate Power Requirements for Skilled-Nursing Facilities
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has issued updated information on requirements for alternate sources of power in skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs). What else to know: The revised Policy Intent Notice provides guidance for the implementation of alternate sources of power to maintain safe temperatures, availability of lifesaving equipment, and oxygen-generating devices...

