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
CHA to Host Medicaid Managed Care Final Rule Webinar
What’s happening: CHA will host a members-only webinar on June 4 at 10 a.m. (PT) to discuss the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program Managed Care Access, Finance, and Quality rule, which was finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
What else to know: The rule finalizes significant changes and clarifications regarding managed care delivery and finance.
DHCS Announces Upcoming Supplemental Payment Dates for 2023-24
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will make April-May payments for state fiscal year (SFY) 2023–24 for the following programs on June 10: What else to know: The payments will have a warrant date of June 6.
Behavioral Health Infrastructure Grants Available in July
What’s happening: The Newsom administration will start taking applications for behavioral health infrastructure grants this summer; hospitals will be eligible to apply.
What else to know: When voters passed Proposition 1 on the March 2024 ballot, they approved a $6.4 billion bond to finance new investments in housing and treatment for Californians experiencing mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
Key Bills Advance; Some Left Behind as Legislature Rounds Major Turn
Last week, the California Senate and Assembly took action on several bills of importance to hospitals — moving or holding critical pieces of legislation. It is the midpoint of the 2024 legislative session when bills must move to the second house according to legislative deadlines.
OHCA Board Approves Advisory Committee Appointments and Deliberates Over Efforts to Expand Preventive Care
What’s happening: At its May 22 meeting, the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board discussed OHCA’s proposals to refocus the state’s health care system on prevention and encourage the use of payment arrangements aligned with that goal.
What else to know: CHA submitted a letter to the OHCA board responding to the finalized spending growth target and urging the board to reevaluate the target annually.
CHA-Sponsored Seismic Relief Legislation Passes in the Senate
What’s happening: Senate Bill (SB) 1432 would provide a time extension to hospitals from California’s 2030 seismic construction mandates. It passed the state Senate on Wednesday on a 37-0 vote.
What else to know: The bill now moves on to the Assembly Health Committee.
CMS Proposes New Payment Model to Expand Kidney Transplant Access
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed the new Increasing Organ Transplant Access (IOTA) Model to improve access to kidney transplants.
What else to know: The IOTA Model would be mandatory for six years beginning Jan. 1, 2025.
CHA Comments in Response to IRF, IPF Payment Proposed Rules
What’s happening: CHA submitted comments in response to the federal fiscal year 2025 inpatient rehabilitation facilities (IRF) and inpatient psychiatric facilities (IPF) prospective payment system proposed rules.
What else to know: Comments were due to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services by 2 p.m. (PT) on May 28.
Summary: Finalized Skilled-Nursing Facility Staffing Standards
What’s happening: A summary is available of finalized new staffing standards for long-term care facilities, including skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) and SNFs operated as distinct-part units of acute care hospitals.
What else to know: The regulations are effective June 21, with compliance with overall ratios required beginning May 2026.
Summary: Final Rule Expands Health Care Access to DACA Recipients
What’s happening: A summary is available of the final rule recently issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expand access to health care for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients.
What else to know: All provisions of the final rule are effective on Nov. 1.
