We represent nearly 400 hospitals and health systems advancing access to quality health care for all Californians.
Sacramento, CA
Joined July 2013
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Almost half of hospitals across the U.S. are losing money – and according to a new report from Kaufman Hall, rising pharmaceutical costs and declining coverage are to blame, @BeckersHR reports.
In CA, the picture is even more dire. In addition to nationwide struggles with high inflation, CA faces strict staffing ratio requirements and the highest nurse salaries in the nation (even after adjusting for cost of living). With requirements to hire more staff, and pay them more than any other state, it’s no wonder that hospitals trying to make ends meet have nowhere to turn.
Why 43% of hospitals are losing money
Roughly 43% of U.S. hospitals are operating at a loss, up from about 33% before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Kaufman Hall’s August 2026 “National Hospital Flash Report published Oct. 13.
hubs.ly/Q04C6MLB0
Californians in crisis need acute psychiatric services — that’s why dozens of hospitals are urging Gov. Newsom to continue his longstanding support of behavioral health care by funding services to address a critical shortage of treatment capacity. Read our release: bit.ly/487TgIL
ALT The image is a news release from the California Hospital Association. It features a headline urging the Newsom Administration to invest in critical behavioral health services. A quote highlights Gov. Newsom's efforts to improve access to mental health care in California, emphasizing the need for state support. Kirsten Barlow, Vice President of Policy at the California Hospital Association, is acknowledged at the bottom.
New research from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health tells a bleak story — widespread hospital closures are impacting patients in rural and urban areas alike, and the problem is only getting worse. Read more: hsph.harvard.edu/news/hospit…
When a hospital closes, the entire community feels the ripple effect in lost health care resources — no ER, labor and delivery unit, cardiology support, or specialized care when it matters most. Worse, hospitals are closing faster than they can be reopened, @washingtonpost reports.
The United States is losing hospitals faster than it can open new ones, a worsening trend in both rural and urban areas, according to a new study.
More than 400 hospitals closed across the country from 2010 to 2025, the study says. wapo.st/4y9DyYk
Financial challenges in CA's health care system could well lead to hospital closures and reduced health care services for millions of patients who need them. Today, Californians need real solutions to protect the health care services they rely on before it's too late.
Read more from @Capitol_Weekly: bit.ly/4doJu8m
ALT In the news: Quote from Carmela Coyle, CHA President & CEO, about 44% of California's hospitals operating in the red, highlighting statewide and national significance. Capitol Weekly title and logo at the bottom.
“Sometimes the emergency department is the front door of care … but there’s a whole landscape of health and social needs outside the hospital that are really critical," said CHA’s behavioral health expert Kirsten Barlow at @Capitol_Weekly's CA Health Care event.
Californians’ behavioral health outcomes are determined by more than hospital visits — that’s where health care community partners and state leaders come in, because patients need community support, behavioral health resources, and a true health care safety net that prioritizes their care before they’re in crisis.
California Health Care, Panel 3: Behavioral Health. Speakers: Kirsten Barlow, @CalHospitals; Michelle Doty Cabrera, CBHDA of California; Lois Cross, @NorthBayHealth; Katherine Warburton, Katherine Warburton, @ca_dsh. Moderated by author and journalist @DanielMorain
“Preventative things cost a lot less,” said Sen. Akilah Weber-Pierson at @Capitol_Weekly's CA Health Care event on the entire health care system’s role in supporting patients’ well-being before symptoms spiral out of control. From primary care to insurance, everyone involved in health care is responsible for Californians’ health.
ALT A sandwich board sign on a sidewalk reads: "University of California Student and Policy Center. California Health Care in Partnership with Capitol Weekly, September 23, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Learn more + register," with a QR code below.
“By 2040, 9M Californians will be 65+ … that’s a quarter of CA’s population,” said Dr. Mohanty of @TheSCANFndtn at @Capitol_Weekly CA Health Care event. As aging Californians require more acute and more expensive care, hospitals and health care will have to prepare to meet their growing needs.
That means federal, state, and local policymakers partnering with the health care system to support services that aging patients rely on, while minimizing red tape that impedes access to care.
CA Health Care, Panel 2: Aging and Elder Care has begun! Speakers: Susan DeMarois, @LeadingAgeCA; Hagar Dickman, @justiceinaging; Dr. Sarita Mohanty, @TheSCANFndtn; Dr. Lindsey Yourman, @UCSDHealth.
Moderated by @ByRobinEpley, @sacbee_news
Hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to all who walk through their doors. That kind of care requires significant state and federal support to ensure patients can access emergency and specialty services when they need them.
But the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is reducing federal resources for patients, and “[hospitals] can’t sustain billions of dollars in cuts" while meeting the health care needs of millions, said Katie Rodriguez of @CAPHSystems at @Capitol_Weekly’s CA Health Care panel on the impact of OBBBA on communities. "We need broader solutions for patients and providers," Rodriguez continued, to protect the health care services Californians rely on.
California Health Care: Panel 1, Impact of H.R. 1, has begun. Speakers: @benavey, @WellSpaceHealth; Tam Ma, UC Office of the President; Katie Rodriguez, @CAPHSystems; Christine Smith, @healthaccess; Josh Stehlik, @CALimmigrant - moderated by Rich Ehisen, Capitol Weekly
CHA is thrilled to welcome Bryan Bucklew as its next President & CEO.
With over 20 years of hospital association experience and 8 years as the head of Hospital Council — Northern & Central CA, Bucklew brings the leadership and expertise necessary to guide hospitals through unprecedented challenges and improve Californians’ health care. bit.ly/4iw96U9
ALT The image is a news release from the California Hospital Association, announcing Bryan Bucklew as President & CEO. It includes a quote about hospitals' importance to Californians and the goals of generating momentum, accelerating advocacy, and improving health care. Julie Sprengel, Board Chair of the California Hospital Association, is attributed with the quote.
Bureaucracy should never stand in the way of Californians’ timely access to care. Thankfully, with Asm. @Patterdude’s leadership on AB 1126, Medi-Cal patients are one step closer to getting the care they need with fewer administrative hurdles.
Late last night, in the presence of many of my team members and so many friends, I was informed that @CAgovernor @GavinNewsom signed my legislation which takes a huge step in removing bureaucratic barriers so people with disabilities can access their non-Medi-Cal health insurance.
Been working on this legislation for years. In fact, he vetoed a similar bill a couple years ago. We kept working. Met with the agency, dozens of parents and stakeholders. This problem identified came from a meeting at a dining room table with a group of parents (moms!) in my district that have a child with a disability. Once we peeled back the onion, we found out that this was as quite a large issue throughout the state.
And to cap it off, his staff did send me a nice message.
We still have work to do to make sure it is implemented… but it was a great night.
So happy with the persistence of my team. Especially Tiffany and Chloe who would NOT give up. We used a legislative maneuver that typically isn’t allowed by Republicans. So I’m thankful for my colleagues allowing it to proceed… so many chances to give up and everyone came through.
“It matters to the court whether that target rate is […] lawful.”
Despite pressure from the state to dismiss CHA’s lawsuit, which asks the Office of Health Care Affordability to follow the law in setting health care spending caps, Superior Court Judge Joseph M. Quinn ruled that the case can move forward.
Hospitals know that making care more affordable can’t come at the expense of access, quality, or the workforce. We’re glad to see the courts recognize that importance, too. Read more from @mhattridge_ and @courthousenews:
Hospitals say the spending limits have strained budgets and operational decisions such as staffing, services and capital expenditures. @mhattridge_ courthousenews.com/californi…
The Office of Health Care Affordability’s reckless pursuit of cost savings at the expense of Californians’ access to health care is putting patients in harm’s way. A Superior Court judge just agreed to take a closer look — a huge step forward in protecting patients. bit.ly/4yByDjH
ALT Media statement from the California Hospital Association about hospitals continuing to protect access to care. Includes a quote from Carmela Coyle, highlighting concerns over legal decisions affecting healthcare access and costs.
“This is who we are,” said Renee Stubbins, Ph.D. oncology dietician at @MethodistHosp about the care & compassion every patient receives from hospitals & health care workers.
In CA, TX & around the U.S., health care leaders like Stubbins are making a difference.
Renee Stubbins, Ph.D., oncology dietitian at @MethodistHosp, helps cancer patients navigate their care journey through nutrition. "I treat them as my family, as I would want my family to be treated."
Thank you Asm. @Patterdude for supporting commonsense reforms like AB 1199 that help to ensure hospitals’ limited resources are focused where it matters most: caring for patients.
CA's health care system is more fragile than ever — shouldering unprecedented cuts, new mandates, and ongoing financial woes that threaten patients' access to care.
OHCA's latest action ignores this reality and pushes health care even closer to the brink. Read CHA's media statement: calhospital.org/ohca-vote-wi…
Physicians, hospitals and health systems, health plans, life sciences, and other health care leaders agree — amendments don’t change the fact that AB 2575 jeopardizes patient safety. Lawmakers: vote NO on AB 2575 and protect lifesaving medical tools. Read why: bit.ly/4y7CQLt
ALT Red text reading "NO" with a diagonal slash inside the letter "O," above smaller text "on AB 2575." The background is black.
"…if we can make that diagnosis earlier, we can actually improve survival to greater than 50% for all patients that develop pancreatic cancer."
Using AI effectively means detecting cancer earlier, intervening faster, and giving hope back to patients – but this is exactly the type of modern clinical technology that would be disrupted by AB 2575.
Lawmakers must vote NO to protect lifesaving care.
What promise does AI hold for better cancer care? And what parts of medicine can't be replaced by AI?
On this podcast episode of Health Matters, radiologist Dr. Matthew Callstrom shares how he uses AI, and how these technologies could be game-changers for cancer detection and treatment.
Listen to the full episode now: bit.ly/4ghwRwy
#ArtificialIntelligence #PrecisionOncology #MedicalAI #AIInOncology
Like stethoscopes or MRI machines, AI is just another tool doctors use every day to manage patients’ well-being. Without it, Californians have fewer resources available to manage their health, and clinicians have fewer tools to help. CA must vote NO on AB 2575.
ALT Bold text on an orange background reads "NO on AB 2575" with a prohibition symbol inside the letter "O.