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
AB 1204 Equity Reporting Portal Opens — Still Time to Register for HQI Support
As the deadline for inaugural Hospital Equity Measures Report submissions under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021) approaches, the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has officially opened its online reporting portal.
HQI and Hospital Council to Host 2025 Annual Conference
The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) and Hospital Council will host a joint 2025 Annual Conference on Sept. 28-29 in Lake Tahoe, where the focus will be on advancing patient safety in health care’s new era.
Health Care Providers Brace for Impact, Knowing Relationships Matter Most
As the dust settles on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law earlier this month by President Donald Trump, the work facing hospitals now begins in earnest.
Section Updates for July 23, 2025
CENTRAL VALLEY: River Vista Behavioral Health Hospital is now designated as a crisis stabilization unit, which means emergency medical services providers can transport patients directly to River Vista instead of an emergency department — great news for a region that averages 500 transports to alternate destinations each month.
OHCA Should Account for Federal Cuts via Blanket Waivers and Scrutinize Insurer Profits, CHA Argues
Last week, the California Hospital Association (CHA) wrote to the Office of Health Care Affordability (OHCA) board, asking that it proactively account for the largest health care cuts in the history of the Medicaid program, passed earlier this month under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
From Local Initiatives to Federal Fallout, Hospitals Stand Strong
With federal activity top of mind, the Hospital Council Board of Directors met this week to discuss priority issues for hospitals across Northern California.
Lebra’s AI Tools Help Hospitals Improve Workforce, Drive Results
Lebra, Hospital Council’s newest corporate associate member, has built an artificial intelligence-powered platform that aims to help hospitals build personal connections with staff, board members, and community members, all in service of improving their culture of caring.
As AB 1204 Deadline Nears, HQI Offers Equity Reporting Assistance to Hospitals
By Sept. 30, California hospitals are required to submit detailed health equity reports under Assembly Bill (AB) 1204 (2021) to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) — and the Hospital Quality Institute’s (HQI’s) automated reporting program can help.
Section Updates for July 9, 2025
CENTRAL VALLEY: Fresno EMS Corps is accepting applications for a five-month training program that prepares students for careers in emergency medical services (EMS). Hospital Council supported grant funding for the program, which aims to address the area’s emergency medical technician shortage by making it easier to pursue these careers. Supports include assistance finding jobs, life coaching, and a stipend for those enrolled in the program.
Finding Inspiration in the Stars
“With all due respect, sir, I believe this is going to be our finest hour.”
Gene Kranz, Chief Flight Director, Apollo 13
