Comment on DOD-2008-HA-0073-0001

On behalf of the California Hospital Association and our more than 400 hospital and health system members, of whom almost 60 offer hospital-based partial hospitalization (PHP) services, we welcome the opportunity to comment on the Department of Defense proposed rule regarding TRICARE certification standards for hospital-based PHP programs. CHA and our members strongly support the proposed change, however we emphasize that access restrictions for TRICARE enrollees in California may be attributable both to the unique TRICARE PHP requirements, and to relatively low reimbursement. These issues and others are addressed in more detail in the attached letter. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 202-488-4688, or jrigg@calhospital.org if you have any questions, or if you need further information.