CEO Messages

Vigilance and Resilience for Hospitals

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After more than two-and-a-half years, I know we are all tired, exhausted, frustrated, and ready to put COVID-19 behind us. But although much of the public and many of our elected officials have moved on from the pandemic, choosing to get back to regularly scheduled activities and no longer considering this a health emergency, COVID-19 remains an issue that deeply impacts Californians and our hospitals. Nationwide, COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising over the past several weeks, and closer to home in the Bay Area is where you’ll find California’s worst case rate. 

Legislative Event an Important Opportunity for Crucial Conversations

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Earlier this week, the Hospital Council and CHA teams had the opportunity to connect with a number of members during a legislative event on the state Capitol grounds. Thank you to everyone who was able to attend — it was a rare opportunity to get members and legislators under one roof (in this case a tent) for a chance to discuss the challenges facing hospitals and hear from California’s senators and Assembly members. It’s been a long time since many of us have gathered together for an in-person event, and it couldn’t come at a more important time. 

In California and Across the Country, Workforce Remains a Top Concern

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Earlier this week, members from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Annual Meeting. It was a chance to hear from top policymakers and elected officials, catch up with colleagues from across the country, and discuss key issues impacting the field. No surprise, but workforce was one of the leading concerns of attendees and is at the top of AHA’s advocacy efforts.

March Madness is EVERYWHERE!

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For any college basketball fan, there’s no time like late March. The NCAA Tournament is in full swing, and with any luck your team is still in the hunt — and at the very least your bracket is still relatively intact.

In Wake of COVID-19, Rebuilding Workforce Remains a Top Priority

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Last week, we met with leaders from across the western states to discuss the impacts of the pandemic and where we go from here. While the issues California hospitals are facing are certainly not unique to our state, we are looked to as a model for the coordinated communication, advocacy, and strategies utilized during the pandemic — and as we navigate the post-pandemic waters. 

SMARTER Plan Shows Path Forward, But COVID-19 Challenges Remain

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The governor’s announcement last week of his SMARTER plan marks yet another turning point in the fight against COVID-19, as we transition from a pandemic to an endemic. The SMARTER plan uses the lessons of the past two years to prepare for future COVID-19 surges or variants.

As COVID-19 Numbers Decline, Many Critical Areas of Focus Remain

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Nearly two years into the pandemic, and on the heels of a fourth COVID-19 wave that rivaled the past three, it appears that there may be some good news on the horizon. COVID-19 positivity rates are dropping, and hospitalizations seem to have levelled off or are slightly decreasing, an early sign that perhaps the unprecedented surge brought on by the omicron variant is slowing.

No Quick or Easy Solution for Offload Delays

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It’s a years-long problem with a long name: ambulance patient offload delays (APOD). This long-standing issue is wreaking havoc on the health care system, not just in our region but throughout the state and the country. And while there may not be a quick and easy solution, CHA and Hospital Council are actively engaging on this important issue with the state’s Emergency Medical Services Agency as well as local officials.

‘It’s Like Déjà Vu All Over Again’ – Yogi Berra

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The calendar may say 2022, but if you’re feeling a bit of déjà vu, you’re probably not alone. While it’s a new year, many of the same issues and challenges of the past two years — weather events, power outages, and the rapid escalation of COVID-19 cases — are still with us. 

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