JoAnne Obata

Surgeon Provides Alternative

A new minimally invasive procedure called transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) might just make valve replacement, open-heart surgery, and the use of a heart-lung machine a thing of the past.

Vitality Payer Scorecard: Holding Insurers Accountable 

CHA is hosting a complimentary, members-only webinar on Feb. 27 at 10 a.m. (PT) to highlight the American Hospital Association Vitality Payer Scorecard, which was recently endorsed by the CHA board. It captures necessary and normalized data points without sharing protected health information. The automated process is based on de-identified claims and remittance files and eliminates the need for CHA surveys on this issue.  

CHA Analysis Reveals How Insurer Practices Impede Patient Care 

The California Hospital Association (CHA) has developed a detailed analysis of how insurance company practices negatively affect patients. It’s a key proof point supporting a comprehensive strategy to hold insurers accountable for patient care in California. One of CHA’s priorities this year is to create greater accountability (network adequacy, prior authorization, medical necessity, payment practices, parity) for insurers operating in California. The survey, conducted by CHA in 2023, saw significant response from California hospitals (many thanks to all who contributed). Broadly, the analysis reveals:  

UCSF Health Reaches Agreement with Dignity Health to Acquire Two San Francisco Hospitals

Who What UCSF Health has signed a definitive agreement with Dignity Health to acquire Saint Francis Memorial Hospital and St. Mary’s Medical Center, along with associated outpatient clinics in San Francisco. UCSF Health hopes to close the transaction this spring.   UCSF Health has committed to maintaining Saint Francis and St. Mary’s existing services, ensuring patients have […]

Hospital Council Engages on Jobs and EMS Access

Who What At a public meeting on Feb. 8, the Sacramento County health officer committed the county to not pursuing financial penalties on hospitals for missing ambulance patient offload time (APOT) targets. This is to ensure a collaborative approach to APOT improvement.   The county hosted an APOT summit on Feb. 13 designed to unite hospital […]

APOT Time Discussions Continue in Sacramento Area

Who What At a public meeting on Feb. 8, the Sacramento County health officer committed the county to not pursuing financial penalties on hospitals for missing ambulance patient offload time (APOT) targets. This is to ensure a collaborative approach to APOT improvement.   The county hosted an APOT summit on Feb. 13 designed to unite hospital […]