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
DHCS to Convene Prop 35 Advisory Committee on April 14
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) is holding the first meeting of the Proposition (Prop) 35 “Protect Access to Health Care Act” Stakeholder Advisory Committee on April 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (PT). This meeting is open to the public, and registration for virtual attendance is open. What else to […]
CHA Develops State and National Partnerships to Advance Pharmacy Practice
What’s happening: CHA and the California Society of Health-System Pharmacists (CSHP) are calling on pharmacy professionals to join the movement for substantive change in pharmacy practice through their partnership with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists’ (ASHP) Practice Advancement Initiative (PAI) — and joining the movement begins with taking the California Hospital Survey.
What else to know: Originally launched in 2010, PAI has helped pharmacists across diverse practice settings implement local changes to improve patient care — and ASHP is bolstering these efforts by launching PAI 2030. In PAI 2030, ASHP has introduced 59 updated recommendations aimed at enhancing medication use, expanding the roles of pharmacists and technicians, and embracing emerging technologies.
DHCS Submits Hospital Fee Program 9 Fee and Payment Model, Draft Available for Members
What’s happening: On March 28, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) submitted a final draft of the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee (HQAF) program 9 fee and payment model to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). An internal, members-only version is available for members to review.
What else to know: The model should be considered a draft until the state receives official CMS approval, which is expected to take six to nine months. Learn more about the 2025 HQAF program 9 — including a brief history, a summary of changes, and the future landscape of the program — in our members-only webinar on April 7 at 9 a.m. (PT).
Hospital Fee Program 8 Invoices Due April 8
What’s happening: Payments for the Hospital Quality Assurance Fee program 8 directed payment are due to the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) by April 8.
What else to know: Invoices were mailed to hospitals from DHCS on March 24. It is critical that all hospitals pay their invoices in full and on time. CHA encourages those at risk of not paying their invoices in full by April 8 to notify DHCS in advance of the due date about any financial hardship.
In-Person LEAD Academy: Start Date Shifts to May 6
What’s happening: The Hospital Association of Southern California’s (HASC’s) In-Person LEAD Academy — geared toward health care managers who are either new to their position or looking to enhance their skills — was previously slated for six Tuesdays from April 8 to June 24, but its new dates are six Tuesdays from May 6 to July 29.
What else to know: During this year’s academy — at Sonoma Valley Hospital from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (PT) — attendees will gain skills in understanding themselves and others, navigating staff dynamics, and driving performance. Registration is open, and attendees can sign up for individual modules or the full academy of six sessions and 12 modules.
CDPH Issues New Guidance to Support Doula Access in Hospitals
What’s happening: The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-13 on March 24 that offers guidance to hospitals on supporting the Medi-Cal doula benefit — available since January 1, 2023 — and outlines recommendations for patient visitation policies and procedures.
What else to know: As noted in the AFL, called Benefits of Doula Support and Recommendations to Accommodate Doula Services and Foster a Doula-Friendly Environment, doulas offer emotional, physical, and informational support during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and up to one year postpartum. Hospital policies play a key role in creating a welcoming environment for doulas and the families they serve.
EMSA Releases AB 40 Emergency Regulations
What’s happening: On April 1, the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) released emergency regulations to implement Assembly Bill (AB) 40 (2023).
What else to know: Because these are emergency regulations, there will only be a five-day comment period. Comments are due to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) by Saturday, April 5.
Key Deadline Approaching for OHCA’s ‘High Cost’ Hospital Proposal
What’s happening: Hospitals’ deadline for commenting on the Office of Health Care Affordability’s (OHCA’s) proposed methodology to identify “high-cost” hospitals is rapidly approaching; letters are due April 11. What else to know: On April 2, CHA issued an Alert with resources to assist in hospitals’ outreach, including template letters, a data worksheet, and template for […]
DMHC Issues Updated Guidance on Claims Payment Requirements
What’s happening: The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) has issued All Plan Letter (APL) 25-007, which provides guidance to health care service plans on requirements for reimbursing claims for health care services with a date of receipt on or after Jan. 1, 2026. What else to know: The updated guidance reflects the provisions […]
Court Rules FDA Cannot Regulate Laboratory-Developed Tests
What’s happening: In a final judgment filed March 31, the U.S. District Court for Eastern Texas ruled that the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) does not have the authority to regulate laboratory-developed tests, rendering a final rule issued May 6, 2024, null and void.
What else to know: This final rule phased out the FDA’s general enforcement discretion approach for most laboratory-developed tests to instead provide greater oversight.
