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 Presses Quality, Access, Equity Perspective During Capitol Weekly Panel on OHCA
What’s happening: During a panel discussion last week, CHA shared hospital perspectives on how the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) can make care more affordable while protecting access to high-quality, equitable care.
What else to know: CHA participated in a four-person panel on OHCA hosted by Capitol Weekly during the publication’s annual conference focused on health care.
CMS Issues Annual Data Submission Requirements for MA Plans
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued detailed information about data collection and audit procedures for Medicare Advantage (MA) (Part C) plans.
What else to know: The information will allow CMS to conduct a comprehensive review of plan compliance with utilization management requirements, including new requirements on development, appropriateness, and public accessibility of internal coverage criteria.
CHA Responds to Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage
What’s happening: On Oct. 3, CHA informed members of an IV fluid shortage due to the temporary closure of Baxter International’s North Carolina plant, which supplies 60% of the country’s IV solutions. The facility was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Helene.
What else to know: The update from CHA includes guidance for hospitals to mitigate the impact of the IV shortage.
Johnson & Johnson Halts Proposed 340B Rebate Model
What’s happening: Johnson & Johnson will stop its plan that would have required hospitals participating in the 340B drug discount program to purchase Stelara and Xarelto at full price and apply for a rebate instead of receiving full discounts upfront.
What else to know: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) notified J&J it would be kicked out of the 340B Drug Pricing Program if it did not halt implementation.
CMS Discontinues Low-Wage Index Policy for FFY 2025
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has eliminated its low-wage index hospital policy for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2025.
What else to know: CHA has supported a legal challenge to this policy on behalf of member hospitals since FFY 2020.
CHPSO’s October Webinars Address Three Critical Issues in Health Care
What’s happening: This month, the Collaborative Healthcare Patient Safety Organization (CHPSO) is hosting three separate webinars that address patient safety, health care professional suicide, and maternal sepsis.
What else to know: Each webinar is designed to equip health care professionals with the latest research, practical solutions, and tools for improving patient outcomes and supporting clinician well-being — and CHA/CHPSO members who attend may earn continuing education credits with the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Hospitals’ Commitment to Communities Stronger than Ever
In communities throughout our state, Californians instinctively know one thing: Their local hospital is part of the fabric of their lives. The daily miracles that hospitals perform — lifesaving emergency surgeries, cancer care, premature baby deliveries, and more — are what many are reminded of when they think of their local hospital. But there’s so […]
Summary: Finalized Mental Health Parity Regulations
What’s happening: CHA has issued a members-only summary of the Mental Health Parity Final Rule that aims to improve access to mental health services by requiring health plans to make changes when inadequate access is provided.
What else to know: The regulations are effective Nov. 22.
DMHC Penalizes Blue Cross for Delayed Payments
What’s happening: The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has taken enforcement actions, including a total of $8.5 million in fines, against Blue Cross of California Partnership Plan and Anthem Blue Cross for their failure to address payment disputes with health care providers in a timely manner.
What else to know: In addition to paying the fines, the plans must improve response times by removing barriers that create delays, monitoring provider disputes more regularly, and adding staff to handle provider disputes. Per two letters of agreement, Blue Cross is expected to complete the corrective actions before Dec. 31.
CMS Webinar Covers Requirements for Hospital Price Transparency Machine-Readable File
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a webinar to bring hospitals up to speed on the price transparency machine-readable file (MRF) requirements.
What else to know: The webinar takes place on Oct. 21 from 10-11:30 a.m. (PT).
