Welcome to the archive of Program & Policy, CAPH’s member newsletter. Here you can easily access past issues, organized for quick reference, to stay connected with key updates and advocacy priorities.

2025

Nov. 21, 2025: Discusses the historic shift in California Senate leadership, the launch of the Future of Medi-Cal Commission, development of county indigent care resources, and major federal updates including the end of the 43-day shutdown, the new public charge proposed rule, and CMS telehealth claims guidance.

Nov. 7, 2025: Highlights the impacts of the ongoing federal shutdown, California election outcomes (including Prop 50), state focus on the 2026 landscape, Medi-Cal notices for certain undoumented adults, ongoing DSH/telehealth advocacy, CMS telehealth claims processing updates, and California’s Rural Health Transformation Fund federal application.

Oct. 24, 2025: Covers fourth-week shutdown impacts on safety-net programs, upcoming state ballot measures (Prop 50, Santa Clara Measure A), Medicare open enrollment expansion, widening federal stalemate, and CMS telehealth billing guidance.

Oct. 10, 2025: Summarizes second-week shutdown dynamics, pending state bill actions (including SB 596), new SB 81 protections for patients’ immigration status, DHCS data-sharing APL, CalAIM Transitional Rent methodology, reinstatement of Medi-Cal asset limits, new doula directory, and CMS telehealth claims hold.

Sept. 26, 2025: Details the looming Oct. 1 DSH cuts and Medicare telehealth expirations, end-of-session legislative activity, new Medi-Cal consumer resources, Trump administration H-1B visa restrictions, and updates on federal immigrant-health litigation and HRSA’s 340B rebate model.

Sept. 12, 2025: Reflects on state-session outcomes including UIS premium changes and SB 596 advocacy, previews governor decision deadlines, outlines federal CR negotiations tied to DSH/telehealth extensions, and summarizes CMS guidance on HR 1–driven SDP changes and public-benefits litigation.

Aug. 29, 2025: Emphasizes the urgency of delaying the Oct. 1 DSH cuts, end-of-session legislative actions, OHCA enforcement discussions, upcoming equity report submissions, HCAI’s Rural Health Transformation kickoff, federal CR negotiations, new CMS immigration verification initiative, and ongoing immigrant-health litigation.

Aug. 15, 2025: Discusses the devastating impact of the enacted H.R. 1 federal budget reconciliation bill on Medicaid and outlines CAPH’s multi-front advocacy strategy to fight the cuts and protect access to care.

Aug. 1, 2025: Addresses immigration enforcement impacts on patients avoiding care due to fear, resulting in increased no-shows and operational challenges for health care systems during state legislative summer recess.

July 18, 2025: Focuses on CAPH’s analysis of H.R. 1 implications for public health care systems and warns of ongoing federal administrative threats to Medicaid financing, including potential DSH cuts.

July 3, 2025: Reports on the passage of California’s 2025-2026 state budget and Senate advancement of the federal budget reconciliation bill, with continued advocacy efforts to protect Medicaid.

June 20, 2025: Updates on federal budget reconciliation developments including Senate Finance Committee’s proposed Medicaid cuts and ongoing state budget negotiations between Governor Newsom and the Legislature.

June 6, 2025: Covers California’s $12 billion budget deficit and proposed cuts to Medi-Cal coverage for undocumented individuals, alongside federal budget reconciliation threats to Medicaid funding.

May 23, 2025: Covers House passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” with devastating Medicaid cuts and California’s May Revise addressing a $12 billion deficit. Includes legislative appropriations updates, federal budget reconciliation details, and new executive orders targeting drug costs.

May 2, 2025: Highlights innovation examples from public health systems while warning about $880 billion in federal spending cuts targeting Medicaid. Includes MCO tax stakeholder updates, OHCA high-cost hospital target decisions, and federal restrictions on gender-affirming care.

April 18, 2025: Focuses on continued Medicaid advocacy during congressional spring recess and messaging strategies for protecting Medicaid from federal cuts. Covers Proposition 35 advisory committee launch, new psychiatric emergency care requirements, and federal 340B drug pricing executive order.

April 4, 2025: Recaps successful State Lobby Day with 20 participants conducting 50+ legislative meetings on Medicaid protection and OHCA concerns. Includes updates on hospital regulatory guidance, emergency medical services regulations, and Proposition 35 implementation.

March 21, 2025: Covers advocacy efforts following continuing resolution passage and showcases Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s “I Matter” advocacy video. Provides updates on state lobby day, federal continuing resolution impacts, and court decisions on gender-affirming care.

March 7, 2025: Features a patient success story from Alameda Health System to highlight the importance of public health care systems. Includes state budget hearing updates, OHCA high-cost hospital proposals, and various new laws and regulatory guidance.

Feb. 7, 2025: Discusses strategies for managing constant policy changes and provides updates on state legislation and CalHHS Secretary confirmation. Covers OHCA developments, federal lobby planning, and Trump administration executive order on gender affirming care for minors.

Jan. 24, 2025: Focuses on continued wildfire response and federal administration proposals affecting public health care systems. Includes updates on Medi-Cal support for wildfire victims, immigration policy changes, and various state program developments.

Jan. 10, 2025: Addresses LA wildfire impacts on public health systems and announces new health committee chairs for the 2025-2026 legislative session. Features California’s approval of the BH-CONNECT behavioral health waiver and CMS approval of MCO tax waiver amendment securing $7.2 billion.

2024

Dec. 13, 2024: Covers CAPH Annual Conference recap and federal lobby day meetings with California senators and representatives about DSH payments, telehealth waivers, and Medicaid concerns. Also includes state updates on weapons detection requirements, CalAIM funding, and federal telehealth prescribing waiver extensions.