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.
Updated HPSA Designation List Available from HCAI
What’s happening: Due to federal policy shifts, many of California’s Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations are currently “Proposed for Withdrawal” on July 1. An updated and more comprehensive list from the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) is available to help hospitals located in a HPSA assess their status.
Hospital Action Required to Retain HPSA Designation
What’s happening: Approximately 100 of California’s roughly 374 Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) designations are currently "Proposed for Withdrawal" on July 1. This is largely due to a federal policy shift that requires all recertifications to be conducted simultaneously, as well as resource shortages within the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).
Affordability, Drug Pricing in Focus at Key AHA Meeting
Discussions at this week’s American Hospital Association Regional Policy Board 9 meeting will delve into several timely and weighty issues for hospitals in California and nationwide.
CDPH Releases Guidance on Nurse Staffing Regulations Under Senate Bill 596
What’s happening: Last week, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) released All Facilities Letter 26-04 on Senate Bill (SB) 596 (2025), which changes how violations of nurse-to-patient ratios are assessed and defines an on-call list.
Cal/OSHA Standards Boards to Hold Advisory Committee Meeting on Surgical Smoke
What’s happening: On Jan. 20, the Cal/OSHA Standards Board will hold an advisory committee meeting on occupational exposure to plume (surgical smoke) in health care from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (PT) via Zoom.
CMS Repeals Minimum Staffing Standards for Skilled Nursing Faciities
What’s happening: On Dec. 2, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule that repeals minimum staffing standards for long-term care facilities, which were finalized in 2024.
HQI to Host Five-Part Webinar Series on Building a Hospital Safety Culture
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is offering a five-part webinar series to address strategies for increasing patient safety and improving response to patient harm. What else to know: The series will provide a deep dive into the five domains of HQI’s flagship program, HQI Cares: BETA HEART®, and explore their alignment with the...
Health Workforce Initiatives — Participant Information
Staffing shortages remain a top concern for many hospitals and health systems in California. While many hospitals continue to be overwhelmed by staff burnout, organizations are looking for opportunities to develop and retain qualified employees.