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
As OBBBA Impacts Loom, Hospitals Work Together
Just over a year ago, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), ushering in monumental changes for California’s Medicaid program, known as Medi-Cal. Nearly 400 days since the legislation was signed into law, its impact on hospitals and the communities they serve is only beginning to take shape — and Hospital Council is mobilizing to meet the moment.
Section Updates for July 22, 2026
Central Valley: Hospital Council is working in partnership with public health and 16 local hospitals to update the mutual aid memorandum of understanding for Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties. This agreement facilitates disaster response, addressing the relationships and responsibilities of local stakeholders during emergencies. While traditionally a one-year agreement, the latest iteration will move...
July 29 Webinar Will Share Innovative Staffing Solutions
At an upcoming webinar, Hospital Council associate member ShiftMed will explore the possibility that the workforce problem is actually a preference mismatch (not a shortage), what the generational shift in nursing is doing to scheduling models, and why most health systems are structurally unable to capture savings without new operating infrastructure. Speakers will address case...
DHCS Releases Hospital Fee Program 9 Draft Fee & Payment Schedule
As reported in last week’s CHA News, federal approval of Hospital Fee Program 9 means that the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) can begin assessing the fee and implementing the managed care portion of the program.
Deadline Approaching for Key AI, OHCA Advocacy Asks
The California Hospital Association has issued two member alerts, both of which have a July 31 deadline: The first alert asks members to contact their senators and urge opposition to Assembly Bill 2575 (Ortega, D-Hayward), which would protect health care workers from corrective action or discipline when they override an artificial intelligence (AI) tool, even if the decision results in patient harm or...
Solving a Problem Without Creating a New One: The Placer County EMS Story
Earlier this year, a proposal began to take shape that would have created a brand-new local emergency medical services agency (LEMSA) dedicated solely to Placer County.
Section Updates for July 8, 2026
Central Valley: Hospital Council continues its work with members and nonprofits to combat food insecurity and hunger across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties. A consistent theme in the meetings is that infrastructure — food storage, coordinated purchasing power, data tracking, and more — is the greatest need.
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...
