CHA News

Hospital Leaders Meet With California Congressional Delegation on Surprise Billing and Other Crucial Issues

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Hospital leaders from around the country — including more than two dozen from California — convened in Washington, DC, this week for the American Hospital Association’s national meeting of its regional policy boards.

The biannual gathering brings together hospital CEOs to discuss public policy issues and improving access to care.  

California participants also had the opportunity to celebrate the appointment of Ron Werft, CEO of Cottage Health System, as the incoming chair of RPB IX (Western states). As chair, Werft will also serve on the AHA Board of Trustees, giving California hospitals an important voice on the national health care policy making stage.

Current and former AHA board members Delvecchio Finley, CEO of Alameda Health System, Dan Gross, executive vice president of hospital operations for Sharp HealthCare, and Tom Priselac, president and CEO of Cedars-Sinai Health System, were part of the California group.

After the AHA meeting, California CEOs met with members of the California congressional delegation to advance CHA’s position on surprise medical bills – that CHA supports protecting patients, but opposes rate setting. In addition, they advocated for a delay in the pending Medicaid disproportionate share hospital cuts and opposition to any further cuts to hospital payments based on site of service.