Newsroom

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.

CHA Analysis Reveals How Insurer Practices Impede Patient Care 

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

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:  

Honoring Black History Month and Advancing Health Equity for All    

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

February marks Black History Month, a timely recognition of the Black community’s invaluable contributions and enduring legacy. Although we should uplift voices from Black communities year-round, February reminds us to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of those who have fought for justice and equality.   

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

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who University of California, San Francisco Health (UCSF)  Dignity Health  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 […]

Hospital Council Engages on Jobs and EMS Access

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who Hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Sacramento and Placer counties  Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency (SCEMSA)  What At a public meeting on Feb. 8, the Sacramento County health officer committed the county to not pursuing financial penalties […]

APOT Time Discussions Continue in Sacramento Area

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who Hospitals and emergency medical services (EMS) providers in Sacramento and Placer counties  Sacramento County Emergency Medical Services Agency (SCEMSA)  What At a public meeting on Feb. 8, the Sacramento County health officer committed the county to not pursuing financial penalties […]

Contra Costa Fire Protection District to Implement New APOT Policy in March  

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who Contra Costa Fire Protection District   American Medical Response (AMR)  What The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District and its ambulance subcontractor, AMR, plan to implement a new ambulance patient offload time (APOT) policy in March. Under the new policy, ambulance […]

Orchestrating Health Care Accessibility in Rural California

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who Adventist Health, North State region  Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties  Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma County member hospitals  Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma County community organizations and federally qualified health centers  What As member hospitals and […]

San Mateo Health Department and Hospitals Collaborate to Better Understand the Opioid Crisis

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date. Who San Mateo County hospitals San Mateo County Health Department What San Mateo County Health Officer Kismet Baldwin-Santana, MD, is interested in more collaboration with hospitals on public health issues in emergency rooms. Dr. Baldwin-Santana has been with San Mateo County for […]

Working Together to Break the Cycle

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

In the 1993 film Groundhog Day, Bill Murray plays a man who repeats the same day over and over, hoping for a different outcome. As Groundhog Day approaches next week on Feb. 2, it may seem a little like the movie as many issues our hospitals previously faced are once again front and center this year. From seismic issues to ambulance patient offload times, regulatory oversight and overreach issues, to challenges with payers, many issues are repeating. The reality is they are resurfacing in a different environment, as hospitals confront escalating financial challenges, worsening workforce shortages, and an ever-increasing demand for health care services.

City of Berkeley Fair Workweek Ordinance Becomes Effective Jan. 12 

This post has been archived and contains information that may be out of date.

Who

Hospitals with health care facilities located in the city of Berkeley   

What

The city of Berkeley’s Fair Workweek Ordinance goes into effect on Jan. 12. Passed in 2022, the ordinance requires employers in Berkeley to adhere to certain scheduling and notification requirements for shifts, provide predictability pay to all employees, and offer work to existing employees first.  

CEO Message

Read up-to-date messages from Hospital Council's CEO