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
Medicare Reduces Coinsurance Amount for 41 Different Part B Drugs
What’s happening: Medicare temporarily reduced the coinsurance amount for 41 different Part B prescription drugs under the Inflation Reduction Act.
What else to know: Through June 30, the coinsurance amount is decreased from 20% to between 3.8% and 19.9%, depending on the drug.
CY 2025 Medicare Advantage, Part D Payment Changes Finalized
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized changes to Medicare Advantage (MA) Part C and Part D payments for calendar year (CY) 2025.
What else to know: Comments on the MA data request for information are due by May 29. The policies are effective Jan. 1, 2025.
CMS Revises Informed Consent Guidance for Hospitals
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Hospital Interpretive Guidelines for Informed Consent.
What else to know: The guidance clarifies the need to obtain informed consent from patients to perform important surgical tasks, and sensitive or invasive procedures, as well as examinations outside of the medically necessary procedure.
CHA Comments on Draft 340B Legislation
What’s happening: CHA submitted feedback on draft legislation related to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which allows rural and safety-net hospitals to buy outpatient drugs at discounted prices.
What else to know: The bipartisan SUSTAIN 340B Act considers significant changes to the 340B program.
BRN Seeks Input on Areas for Improvement
What’s happening: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) invites registered nurses and community stakeholders to complete its consumer satisfaction survey.
What else to know: Anyone who has interacted with or been contacted by the BRN is encouraged to complete the survey by May 27.
Passage of Proposition 1 Will Change California’s Behavioral Health Spending Priorities
What’s happening: The passage of Proposition 1 in March renamed a major part of California’s mental health laws and changed state and county spending priorities that have been in place for 20 years. What used to be the “Mental Health Services Act” is now renamed the “Behavioral Health Services Act.”
What else to know: CHA will provide members with additional details over the coming months, including advice on ensuring hospitals’ voices are heard in county-level decisions about funding.
Seismic Relief Bill in Print, Headed to Committees
Last week, the language for a legislative proposal — Senate Bill (SB) 1432 — that would bring much-needed relief to hospitals from current seismic building standards went into print. This was the next step toward ensuring that communities throughout California don’t lose access to care.
MedPAC to Develop Rural Hospital and Clinician Payment Workplan
What’s happening: The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) is developing a rural hospital and clinician payment policy workplan for 2024–25.
What else to know: The March MedPAC meeting included discussion to inform a future recommendation to Congress related to rural hospitals.
HCAI, OSHPD Release Design Guide for Planning and Preparing for Disasters
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) have released a new Design Guide for Planning and Preparing for Disasters to assist hospitals in planning, preparing, and responding to disasters.
What else to know: The 102-page document includes coordinating references and illustrations supporting hospitals’ obligation to save lives and prevent injury or property damage in their emergency response.
State Regulators, Hospital Leaders to Share Best Practices for Program Flex Requests
What’s happening: On April 24 from 9-10:30 a.m. (PT), CHA will host a members-only webinar to discuss trends and lessons learned related to program flex requests.
What else to know: Presenters include leadership from the California Department of Public Health and hospital leaders.
