Looking Under the Hood on Why Health Care Spending Keeps Rising
In recent media coverage of insurance company premium hikes for plans sold through Covered California, national for-profit insurers are once again playing a tired and disingenuous blame game.
We’re excited to welcome you to Riverside and share an updated exhibit experience for the Disaster Planning Conference. While the exhibit format has evolved, our commitment to providing valuable networking opportunities, attendee engagement and exhibitor visibility remains the same.
Check out the display details and important deadlines below!
What’s new? This year, we’ve transitioned from traditional 10’×10′ booths to tabletop displays. Each exhibit space includes a draped 6′ or 8′ table (depending on your participation level), two chairs, and a power strip. You are still welcome to bring a pull-up banner, tabletop displays, or backdrops that fit within your assigned space. While the exhibit format has changed, the updated layout continues to provide an open, inviting environment that makes it easy for attendees to engage with exhibitors and sponsors throughout the conference.
Networking remains a priority. As in previous years, the exhibit schedule has been thoughtfully designed around the conference’s busiest networking times. General sessions open directly into the exhibit area, creating a natural flow of attendees throughout the day, while hosted meals, refreshment breaks and the evening reception all take place in the exhibit area. This creates multiple opportunities for exhibitors to connect with attendees, build relationships and showcase their products and services.
DUE BY:
TASK:
August 21
Room block discount cut-off (see Host Hotels section below)
August 28
A description of your tabletop, dimensions, and product(s) being displayed. View checklist
September 4
Email description of item contributing to raffle (Min value of $100, gift cards or smaller items recommended for easy transport)
Week of September 7
Tabletop number assigned and final floor plan sent
September 18 (arrive no sooner than)
Shipping information: Packages must arrive no sooner than Friday, September 18, 2026.
Ship to: ATTN: California Hospital Association Event Dates: September 22-23, 2026 Vendor Name & Table #: Riverside Convention Center 3637 Fifth Street Riverside, CA 92501
September 18
Attendee list available.
September 22
Setupfrom 9:00 – 11:30 a.m.
September22-23
See schedule below
September 23
Tear down from 1:30 p.m.
Conference Meeting Location
The conference and exhibit show will be held at the Riverside Convention Center.
Riverside Convention Center, 2nd Floor 3637 Fifth Street, Riverside CA, 92501 Phone: (951) 346-4700 www.Riv-CC.com
Wednesday, September 23 Continental Breakfast: 7:00 – 8:00 am AM Break: 10:00 – 10:30 am Lunch: 12:30 –1:30 pm Dismantling: 1:30 pm (early breakdown will not be allowed)
Note: Date/times are approximate and subject to change
Please review the Exhibit Rules as a refresher of the details regarding this event.
Packages must arrive no sooner than Friday, September 18, 2026.
Ship to: ATTN: California Hospital Association Event Dates: September 22-23, 2026 Vendor Name & Table #: Riverside Convention Center 3637 Fifth Street Riverside, CA 92501
Return Shipping
A scheduled pickup date and time must be arranged directly with FedEx or UPS. Please affix pre-printed return shipping labels to all items and leave them at your display table. The venue’s Safety Services Officers will collect the labeled items from each table and securely store them until the scheduled carrier pickup.
Table assignments are made by the California Hospital Association (CHA) based on the following criteria: sponsorship level, number of tables purchased, suitability and availability of locations.
CalRHT Grant Applications Open, Partnership Assessment Tool Now Available
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has released details on several new funding opportunities under the California Rural Health Transformation (CalRHT) Program.
CMS Proposes Changes to Medicaid Provider Tax Rules
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a proposed rule implementing the provider tax provisions included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), while also proposing additional policy changes that would strengthen federal oversight of Medicaid provider taxes.
CHA Signs on to Second Letter on Cal/OSHA’s Proposed Changes to Walkaround Rule
What’s happening: CHA has signed on to a second coalition letter on the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health’s (Cal/OSHA) proposed rulemaking for Employer Representative and Representative Authorized by Employees During Workplace Inspections (walkaround rule). It would govern when employer representatives and employee-authorized representatives may accompany Cal/OSHA personnel during workplace inspections.
EMSA Pausing Audit Tool Compliance Activities Through August
What’s happening: The Emergency Medical Services Agency (EMSA) is pausing some activities associated with Assembly Bill 40 compliance and the ambulance patient offload time (APOT) Audit Tool. All APOT audits, compliance evaluations, and ongoing biweekly calls with participating facilities exceeding their APOT standard will be paused through August 2026.
DHCS to Host July 30 Town Hall on Enrollment Requirements for Pharmacy and Medical Billing Claims
What’s happening: The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) will host a town hall on July 30 at 9:30 a.m. (PT) to explain Ordering, Referring, and Prescribing (ORP) enrollment requirements for claims across both pharmacy (Medi-Cal Rx) and medical (CA-MMIS) billing systems. While event registration is currently full, interested members should join the waitlist — CHA expects DHCS to increase the meeting capacity in the coming days.
A pair of recent articles by nationally renowned health care policy experts — one in Health Affairs and one in The New York Times — underscores points that CHA has been making for years around the unintended consequences of artificially capping spending on health care services without adequately considering the impact on access to care, jobs, and patients’ experience.
