About Workforce
California’s shortage of health care workers is severe. Statewide, more than 22% of Californians live in an area without enough primary care providers. There, patients often face a health care system lacking enough nurses, physicians, pharmacists, and others. California needs to add 500,000 new allied health care professionals such as medical assistants, imaging specialists, and more. Closing the gap will require partnership among employers, workers, policymakers, colleges, licensing entities, and others.
California Rural Hospitals Invited to AHA Town Hall
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) Region 9 will hold a virtual Rural Advocacy Town Hall on Oct. 9, 10-11 a.m. (PT) through Microsoft Teams. Region 9 includes California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington State, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Pacific territories.
What else to know: The call will be led by AHA’s rural advocacy experts in Washington, D.C.: Travis Robey, vice president, political affairs, and Shannon Wu, PhD, director, payment policy. Susan Doherty, vice president for field engagement and rural health segment lead, will also join. All CHA member hospitals with membership in the AHA are welcome to register.
Virtual Training Program to Focus on Leadership Skills Development
What’s happening: The Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) is offering an intensive virtual class beginning in September. LEAD Academy is for new health care managers, or those who want to refresh their leadership skills.
What else to know: LEAD Academy courses take place over 12 Thursdays, Sept. 5 to Nov. 21. Registration is open.
HQI to Hold Virtual Forum on Peer Support After Workplace Violence in Hospitals
What’s happening: Individuals leading and supporting hospital efforts to eliminate workplace violence are invited to the Aug. 29 virtual forum on hospital workplace violence at noon (PT). Registration is open.
What else to know: The forum will discuss establishing hospital-based programs of peer support aimed at providing emotional first aid to staff who have been affected by workplace violence. ChristianaCare, a mid-sized hospital system with an influential and innovative approach to workforce well-being, will be a featured speaker.
CHA Member Alert: Invite Congressional Representatives to Your Hospital This Summer
What’s happening: CHA is urging hospitals to build relationships with members of Congress by inviting them for a visit or tour during summer recess. Invitations should go out soon because schedules fill up quickly.
What else to know: These visits will help educate and inform lawmakers ahead of critical health care policy votes in December.
With a Month Left in Session, Positive News on Many Bills
Next month, state legislators will return from their summer recess and finalize the outcome of hundreds of bills — including dozens that will have some bearing on hospital care — before concluding the 2024 session on Aug. 31.
PAGA Overhaul Means Reduced Fines for Employers, Greater Opportunity to Correct Mistakes
What’s happening: Earlier this month, Gov. Newsom and legislative leadership announced sweeping changes to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) intended to disincentivize costly lawsuits while protecting employees’ ability to bring claims against employers that violate the law.
What else to know: These changes are included in Assembly Bill 2288 (Kalra, D-San Jose) and Senate Bill 92 (Umberg, D-Santa Ana), which were passed by the Legislature in late June and signed by the governor on July 1. They will apply to lawsuits brought on or after June 19.
Summary: Finalized Skilled-Nursing Facility Staffing Standards
What’s happening: A summary is available of finalized new staffing standards for long-term care facilities, including skilled-nursing facilities (SNFs) and SNFs operated as distinct-part units of acute care hospitals.
What else to know: The regulations are effective June 21, with compliance with overall ratios required beginning May 2026.
CHA Emergency Services Forum Discussed Patient Volume, Regulations, and Innovation
What’s happening: CHA hosted the 2024 Emergency Services Forum on May 6 in Newport Beach, California. The forum covered an array of topics, including compliance with legislation, regulating ambulance patient offload time, the impact of recent changes in the behavioral health system on emergency departments (EDs), and a keynote address by RaDonda Vaught, a nurse who was convicted of negligent homicide after accidentally giving a patient the wrong medication.
What else to know: The forum saw a record attendance of 156 attendees this year, a capacity crowd of professionals and providers from around the state. The gathering provided clarity on laws that affect EDs, previewed upcoming regulations, and provided ED personnel the opportunity to discuss prehospital challenges. Those in attendance said it was a reminder there is a resilient community to lean on.
House Approves Bills Focused on Rural Health Care
What’s happening: The House Ways and Means Committee approved six bills that address a wide range of pressing health care issues facing rural communities.
What else to know: CHA will continue to work with members of the California delegation to support these measures and urge their passage into law.
AHA to Host Leadership Experience in October
What’s happening: The American Hospital Association (AHA) will host the AHA Leadership Experience event on Oct. 8-10, and a two-hour virtual capstone on Nov. 7.
What else to know: The event will help participants create a new professional strategy to offset the demands of the fast-paced health care environment. Early bird registration ends on June 1.