What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-27, providing information on regulations related to a patient’s right to be free from psychotherapeutic drugs and ensuring informed consent before treatment with such drugs.
(more…)CDPH Issues Updated Informed Consent for Psychotherapeutics in SNFs
CDPH Updates SNF Guidance on Preventing COVID-19, Influenza, and Other Respiratory Viral Infections
What’s happening: On Oct. 7, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) issued All Facilities Letter (AFL) 25-28, which shares an updated guidance document with recommendations and strategies skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) should use to prevent and control COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viral infections.
(more…)Giving Workers a Voice, a Vote, and a View
Efforts to give California’s health care workers a greater say in how their hard-earned dues dollars are spent are fully underway, with the filing last month of a statewide ballot initiative for the November 2026 election.
(more…)CDPH Updates ‘Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting’ with Expanded Multiple Sclerosis Codes
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH’s) Neurodegenerative Disease Registry (CNDR) updated its Neurodegenerative Disease Guide to Reporting.
(more…)DHCS Releases Private Hospital-Directed Payment Encounter Files
What’s happening: On Sept. 26, the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) uploaded three new hospital data sets that hospitals must download before the files are deleted on Nov. 10.
(more…)New Dashboard Allows Hospitals to Show the Local Harms of OHCA Spending Limits
What’s happening: CHA has created an interactive dashboard tool to help members see the local impact of the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) hospital spending caps. The tool allows members to filter by California Assembly, Senate, or congressional district to visualize the potential losses in hospital revenue, jobs, and local economic activity by 2029 (the end of the first enforcement period).
(more…)2025 Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference Agenda Now Finalized
What’s happening: On Nov. 3-4, California hospital finance experts will gather at CHA’s members-only Hospital Finance & Reimbursement Conference to examine the fiscal impact of state and federal regulations and policies on hospitals.
(more…)Public Comments Due Oct. 17 for DHCS’ 2026 Distinct Part Nursing Facility, Subacute Draft Rates
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) recently posted the calendar year (CY) 2026 draft rates for Distinct Part Nursing Facilities, Level B and Distinct Part Subacute on its website.
(more…)2030 Seismic Compliance: Requirements & Strategies for Hospitals Webinar – Participant Information
The deadlines for submitting various seismic-related reports and plans are fast approaching. This webinar will provide an overview of the requirements and outline effective strategies for developing a Seismic Compliance Plan for California hospital facilities.
Topics to be covered include:
- A discussion of frequently asked questions to address common concerns and clarify requirements
- An introduction to the new automated Seismic Compliance Plan online reporting system
- A presentation of several sample compliance plans to demonstrate how facilities might develop their own plan
Gary Dunger
Executive Director, Design & Construction
Cedars Sinai Health System
Trina Gonzalez
Vice President, Policy
California Hospital Association
Trina Gonzalez serves as vice president, policy at the California Hospital Association (CHA), where she is responsible for developing CHA’s policy positions on a wide range of legislative and regulatory issues that affect California hospitals and health systems, including public health, quality, health care facilities, seismic compliance, health information exchange, and community benefits.
Ali Sumer
Supervisor – Seismic Compliance Unit
HCAI
As a structural engineer, Mr. Sumer has nine years of experience in the private sector and twelve years in government. Currently, he manages the hospital seismic retrofit program at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), where he also contributes to the HCAI Emergency Operations Center during disasters. He serves on several code committees and previously served as president of SEAOC Central.
For additional assistance and other inquiries, email CHA’s Education Department at education@calhospital.org.