CEO Messages

This month, Californians caught a rare glimpse of the work hospitals do every day to stay ready for the unexpected. From the fire at a Medline warehouse in Tracy, to the security and surge planning taking place for the FIFA World Cup matches in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, the value of preparation and communication has been on full display. For hospital leaders, these moments are a reminder that readiness is never accidental — it is built, funded, and championed long before any crisis arrives. 

With last week’s primary election in the rearview mirror, focus now turns to Nov. 3. While the question remains as to who will be California’s next governor, perhaps just as significant for California hospitals will be the outcomes of two key ballot initiatives. With five months to go until Election Day, we are asking all member hospitals to join two campaign coalitions today to help ensure success in November.  

California’s wildfire season is once again underway, bringing renewed focus to hospital preparedness and operational continuity during public safety power shut-off (PSPS) events.  

The Hospital Council Board of Directors held its first in-person meeting of the year last week, setting the stage for the coming months of critically important advocacy efforts.  

From county to county and coast to coast, hospital leaders know one thing to be true: Hospitals are the backbone of their communities.

At its core, health care is about people.

Hidden potential is everywhere — but leaders must create the conditions for it to emerge. 

When rural and critical access hospital leaders gather at this year’s Rural Health Care Symposium, which will be hosted by the California Hospital Association (CHA) on March 23-24 in Sacramento, the question top of mind for many will be: How do we best serve our patients and communities while we’re in survival mode with all of the existential pressures facing our hospitals? 

Last week, the Hospital Council Board of Directors held its first meeting of the year, setting a strong tone around priorities, advocacy, and collaboration in what is shaping up to be a challenging environment for hospitals at all levels of government.