The newsroom includes access to Council Connect, our twice-monthly newsletter on Hospital Council’s work. Key articles and issues of interest, along with the President’s Message, are included below.
Newsroom
Preparation Matters
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.
Section Updates for June 24, 2026
Central Valley: Hospital Council members across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties participated in a Food Insecurity Workshop, continuing their work toward addressing findings from this year’s community health needs assessment. The group will next convene with community organizations that work on food insecurity for a listening session to determine what is needed to make...
Three Weeks Remaining to Claim Opioid Settlement Funds
More than 5,000 hospitals nationally are expected to qualify for new settlement funds related to treatment for patients with opioid-related conditions, but time is running short. Hospitals should reach out to Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG), a Hospital Council endorsed business partner, by July 1 to ensure their data are collected before the July 15...
Registration Open for 2026 National Access and Functional Needs Symposium
Registration is now open for this year's Access and Functional Needs Virtual Symposium, to be held July 7-8 from 9 a.m. to noon (PT). Hosted in partnership by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, the International Association of Emergency Managers, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and New York University, this year’s symposium...
CHA Alert: Tell OHCA Board ‘No’ On Exorbitant Penalties That Endanger Health Care
Last week, CHA issued an alert asking members to press the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) to set a reasonable enforcement structure that gives hospitals a chance to improve before imposing penalties so severe that hospitals would have no choice but to cut services, reduce staff, or close outright.
All Eyes on November
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.
Section Updates for June 10, 2026
Central Valley: Local leaders — including representatives from Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria’s (D-Merced) and Sen. Anna Caballero’s (D-Fresno) offices — recently attended the opening of Madera County Public Heath’s new laboratory and clinic. The laboratory represents a significant advancement in the county’s ability to conduct population-level testing.
Keeping the Lights On
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.
June 10 Webinar Will Feature Health Care Workforce Solutions
On June 10 at 9 a.m. (PT), Medical Solutions — a Hospital Council corporate associate member — will host a members-only webinar to share how flexible staffing models, float pool strategies, and emerging technologies are helping hospitals improve agility, strengthen workforce stability, and support sustainable care delivery.
State Resubmits Hospital Fee Program 9, Draft Model Available for Members
On May 15, the state submitted the payment policies for the next iteration of the Hospital Fee Program (Program 9) to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This is the final piece needed for CMS to review the full application.
