The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has announced an initiative to invest $2.25 billion over two years to address COVID-19-related health disparities and advance health equity among populations that are high risk and underserved, including racial and ethnic minority groups and people living in rural areas.
An analysis of insurance claims from the same periods in 2019 and 2020 found that mental health and substance use disorder inpatient admissions dropped through April 2020 — similar to decreases seen in physical health care services. However, subsequent behavioral health inpatient admissions increased through August 2020 at a much higher rate than medical services, with admission rates exceeding 2019 levels in...
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently updated its guidance to hospitals on the reporting of COVID-19-related data. It includes the addition of new COVID-19 therapeutic fields and updates to the vaccination fields. Additionally, fields related to personnel protective equipment re-use and extended use are now optional.
Updates to data reporting include:
CHA has submitted comments to the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and Treasury related to the implementation of the No Surprises Act.
The legislation limits patient out-of-pocket costs to the in-network amount for emergency medical care provided by out-of-network facilities and providers and in certain situations where care is delivered at an in-network facility by an out-of-network provider.
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.
This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.In a year like no other, it’s safe to say the victories have been few and far between. But today, California’s hospitals got two big wins in Congress. First, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 1868 as amended, which will continue to delay […]
Action needed:
WRITE to the Assembly Health Committee, asking members of the committee to oppose, unless amended, Assembly Bill (AB) 1130, related to the Office of Health Care Affordability; and oppose AB 1132, related to health care integration. CHA has developed template letters about both bills for your use (see below). Please send copies of your letters to Dawn Vicari at dvicari@calhospital.org.
Timing:
Send your letters by March 29.
Background:
AB 1130 – Oppose Unless Amended: Template Letter
AB 1130 (Wood, D-Santa Rosa) proposes an Office of Health Care Affordability with potentially devastating access and quality consequences. While hospitals support the goal of improving health care affordability and reducing the rate of growth in health care costs, CHA is concerned hospitals could be forced to make predetermined policy decisions with potentially devastating access and quality consequences. CHA is working with the administration and Dr. Wood to secure amendments that address the proposed unrealistic timeline, an overly detailed and unworkable framework, and the potential for unintended consequences that would threaten expanding access to care.
AB 1132 – Oppose: Template Letter
AB 1132 (Wood, D-Santa Rosa) would create an environment that will restrict Californians’ access to care, reduce the quality of care they receive, and, as underscored by the COVID-19 pandemic, remove the unique, life-saving support hospital integration can bring to communities during a crisis. The bill would upend the relationships between hospitals, physicians, and other affiliates and permanently alter these long-standing arrangements that are fundamental to organizing coordinated care. It would also give unprecedented decision-making authority to the Attorney General to be the sole arbiter of accessibility and availability of health care in California. Ultimately, over the long term, AB 1132 would virtually end the ability for any hospital to participate in managed care arrangements or to affiliate with another health care organization.
The California Hospital Association, representing more than 400 hospitals throughout California, advocates for better, more accessible health care for all Californians. CHA ensures that hospitals will continue to be able to provide exceptional care to patients and comprehensive health services to communities. Established in 1935, CHA provides information, resources, and perspective to state and federal policy […]
On April 1 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. (PT), CHA is joining with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) team on a webinar to help hospitals apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance grants. During this complimentary, members-only webinar, experts will cover general information regarding FEMA’s HMA grant program, including the...
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Implementation of CalAIM is a multiyear process and will influence how patient care is provided in numerous areas. Review this education brief to learn more about Medi-Cal Specialty Mental Health Services, what may be defined as ‘medical necessity,’ the CalAIM proposal and anticipated changes, and answers to the most common questions about the CalAIM reforms...
