CHA joined a broad coalition of organizations in a Lobby Day at the State Capitol Aug. 20, advocating on behalf of health care professionals who would be affected by Assembly Bill (AB) 5 (Gonzalez, D-San Diego).
The group of more than 60 people — including marriage and family therapists, perfusionists, certified nurse anesthetists, occupational therapists, physician therapists and psychologists — met with legislators throughout the afternoon, urging support for an amendment that would allow them to continue to work as independent contractors.
As currently drafted, the bill would prohibit independent contractor status for a broad array of health professionals. The proposed amendment to AB 5 would allow these professionals to retain choice in how they are employed, and would give hospitals the staffing flexibility they need to care for patients when complex workforce issues arise.