The Hospital Council of Northern and Central California is the unified voice of our members, acting as a catalyst to empower hospitals to act together on issues affecting patient care and the health status of communities.
We are dedicated to advocating for our member hospitals at the local and regional level and in support of California Hospital Association (CHA) at the State and Federal level. Together, we are far more powerful nationally, statewide and locally than any single hospital or system can be on its own.
Hospital Council will support CHA on government regulations and financial challenges and will utilize local advocacy relationships, our unifying voice and convening expertise to address emergency medical services, behavioral health, local Medi-Cal managed care, and workforce policy issues as well as any proposed local government regulations that may emerge during the year.
Behavioral health is a public policy priority with a significant impact on other policy priorities: access, financial challenges, emergency services, governmental mandates, and workforce. Barriers to timely access and coordinated services include:
Many of the barriers to effective emergency care systems are also barriers to effective population health management and the Associations’ vision of an optimally healthy society. Prehospital care and services, emergency department crowding, alternate destinations and treatment sites as well as post-acute transfer options impact the effectiveness of emergency departments and the ability of residents to receive the right care at the right time in the right place.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:
The number of Californians enrolled in the Medi-Cal program and most beneficiaries enrolled in a managed care plan and historically low reimbursement rates makes Medi-Cal Managed Care a critical financial priority. Issues to address include access, care coordination, provider network sufficiency, claims processing and timely reimbursement.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:
Every public policy priority has the potential to impact hospital financial viability. Great patient care and positive economic impact on communities is only possible with financially healthy hospitals.
The regulatory environment for hospitals is a serious challenge. Regulatory mandates come from all levels of government. We work at the local level directly with cities and counties and we support CHA as they work at the State and Federal level.
Without sufficient, well-trained health care professionals at all levels of the care continuum, access, quality, timeliness and safety for patients and staff is compromised. Shortages include specialty nurses, clinical lab scientists, respiratory and physical therapists, radiology technologists and more.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:
Behavioral Health
Behavioral Health
Behavioral health is a public policy priority with a significant impact on other policy priorities: access, financial challenges, emergency services, governmental mandates, and workforce. Barriers to timely access and coordinated services include:
Emergency Services
Emergency Services
Many of the barriers to effective emergency care systems are also barriers to effective population health management and the Associations’ vision of an optimally healthy society. Prehospital care and services, emergency department crowding, alternate destinations and treatment sites as well as post-acute transfer options impact the effectiveness of emergency departments and the ability of residents to receive the right care at the right time in the right place.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:
Medi-Cal Managed Care
Medi-Cal Managed Care
The number of Californians enrolled in the Medi-Cal program and most beneficiaries enrolled in a managed care plan and historically low reimbursement rates makes Medi-Cal Managed Care a critical financial priority. Issues to address include access, care coordination, provider network sufficiency, claims processing and timely reimbursement.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will:
Financial Viability
Financial Viability
Every public policy priority has the potential to impact hospital financial viability. Great patient care and positive economic impact on communities is only possible with financially healthy hospitals.
Regulatory Mandates
Regulatory Mandates
The regulatory environment for hospitals is a serious challenge. Regulatory mandates come from all levels of government. We work at the local level directly with cities and counties and we support CHA as they work at the State and Federal level.
Workforce
Workforce
Without sufficient, well-trained health care professionals at all levels of the care continuum, access, quality, timeliness and safety for patients and staff is compromised. Shortages include specialty nurses, clinical lab scientists, respiratory and physical therapists, radiology technologists and more.
To support member concerns the Hospital Council will: