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
CMS Issues Guidance for CAHs on Evaluating Rural/Distance Compliance
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued updated guidance — effective Sept. 20 — on its procedures for evaluating critical access hospital (CAH) compliance with rural and distance requirements.
CHA Urges Stronger Oversight of Health Plan Downcoding Practices
What’s happening: CHA has submitted comments to the Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) on a draft All Plan Letter with proposed guidance aimed at increasing oversight and transparency of health plan downcoding practices.
Aug. 26 Is Best Chance to Urge OHCA to Revise Penalty Structure
What’s happening: The Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board meets next week, with votes agendized on the scope, range, and justification factors for both spending target penalties and procedural penalties. Hospitals must push back on the unprecedented penalties OHCA has proposed; see CHA's alert for guidance and resources.
Tomorrow Marks Deadline to Apply for EHR Modernization Grant
What’s happening: Applications for the California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) Program’s Electronic Health Record (EHR) Modernization grant will close on Aug. 21 at 3 p.m. (PT).
Hospitals Should Review Preliminary FFY 2028 Wage Index and Occupational Mix Data by Sept. 1
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has issued a hospital-specific analysis of the Medicare hospital federal fiscal year (FFY) 2028 wage index and occupational mix data.
CHA Joins Coalition Commenting on Modifications to PAGA Regulations
What’s happening: CHA joined a CalChamber-led coalition in submitting comments on the California Labor Workforce Development Agency’s modifications to the proposed Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) regulations.
OPPS, Home Health Analyses Available
What’s happening: CHA DataSuite has released hospital-specific analyses of the calendar year (CY) 2027 CY outpatient prospective payment system (OPPS) proposed rule and the Medicare home health prospective payment system proposed rule.
AI Issue Marks Final Push of Legislative Session
Headed into the final couple of weeks of this year’s state legislative session, CHA is focused on a key piece of legislation related to artificial intelligence (AI).
At Aug. 19 Meeting, DHCS Provides Update on the 2 Million Californians Shifting to FFS Medi-Cal
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) held its quarterly Stakeholder Advisory Committee meeting on Aug. 19, providing updates on the state budget and other key developments from the state’s Medi-Cal agency.
CHA, DHCS Still Awaiting Approval of Hospital Fee Program 9
What’s happening: On Aug. 14, CHA met with the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) to discuss Hospital Fee Program 9 fee-for-service (FFS) approval, as well as an updated timeline for Program 10 resubmission.
