The newsroom includes access to Council Connect, our twice-monthly newsletter on Hospital Council’s work. Media statements and press releases can also be found here.
Newsroom
Medical Service Line Changes in Santa Clara
Who What The Regional Medical Center of San Jose has notified the Santa Clara County EMSA it plans to close and modify certain service lines: Takeaway/Next Steps Following the news, the Santa Clara County EMSA began conducting an impact study that will be disseminated to the hospitals and other stakeholders in mid-March. The Board of Supervisors […]
Sonoma County Focuses on Behavioral Health Needs
Who What Sonoma County is progressing toward better serving the behavioral health needs of its community. Continuing a multi-year process of collaboration with hospitals and other health care organizations, the county gathered leaders in February to share updates and note significant progress. Within the next two years, the county will: The expansion of behavioral health […]
National Conference Shines Light on Financial Struggle of Rural Hospitals
California’s nearly five dozen rural hospitals provide care to more than 2 million people and are both lifelines and economic pillars for the communities they serve. However, many of these hospitals are on the financial brink, reducing services just to stay open or facing the possibility of closure.
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:
Honoring Black History Month and Advancing Health Equity for All
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
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 […]
Contra Costa Fire Protection District to Implement New APOT Policy in March
Who 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 personnel who have been waiting for 60 minutes to transfer patients in need of hospital emergency department (ED) services may “immediately mov[e] the […]