What’s happening: Yesterday, CHA issued an alert asking members to write to the Senate and Assembly budget committee chairs and support the request for a one-time appropriation of $300 million for the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, as well as statutory changes to advance the program.
What’s happening: Today, CHA submitted a letter to the Office of Health Care Affordability board urging it to account for all health care workers — not just those covered by collective bargaining agreements — in setting and adjusting the spending targets, or risk undermining broader workforce stability.
AB 1970 would prohibit health plans and insurers from requiring step therapy protocols for medications used to treat a serious mental illness or substance use disorder.
Senate Health Committee Support Letter
SB 995 would create a new regulatory framework for involuntary residential facilities with 50 or more beds in California, including immigration detention facilities. As requested by CHA, the bill includes a provision that would prevent the California Department of Public Health from unnecessarily duplicating its existing health and safety inspections and oversight of health and psychiatric facilities.
SB 942, the Civil Detainees’ Bill of Rights Act of 2026, would establish rights for individuals held in public and private locked detention facilities for civil immigration proceedings, including the right to dignity, privacy, and prompt mental health, medical, and dental care.
AB 1811 would preserve Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) designations that were in place as of Jan. 1, 2025, until Jan. 1, 2035. This would ensure that the current HPSAs, and the 285 that are proposed for withdrawal, continue to qualify for state prioritization and benefits in California.
AB 1582 would establish a new unfair practice charge under the Higher Education Employer Employee Relations Act and limit the ability of University of California hospitals to rely on contract staffing.
Senate Labor Committee Oppose Letter
AB 2538 would codify current regulations that require hospice providers to submit an online form to the state within five days of a Medi-Cal fee-for-service patient deciding to enter hospice care, making submission a condition of reimbursement.
What’s happening: Last week, the Emergency Medical Services Authority re-released two regulatory packages: Chapter 6 Specialty Designation Regulations (trauma, STEMI/stroke, emergency medical services care for children) and Assembly Bill (AB) AB 40 Regulations (ambulance patient offload times).
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has issued a request for information that seeks to collect input from stakeholders and shape DHCS’ comprehensive “Hospital Value Strategy.” The RFI deadline is April 17.