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.
CHA Joins Coalition Commenting on Modifications to PAGA Regulations
What’s happening: CHA joined a CalChamber-led coalition in submitting comments on the California Labor Workforce Development Agency’s modifications to the proposed Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) regulations.
HRSA Delays Withdrawal of Health Professional Shortage Area Designations
What’s happening: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has announced that health professional storage areas (HPSAs) placed in a “proposed for withdrawal” status will maintain their current HPSA status through approximately July 1, 2027.
Psychiatric Hospital Staffing Ratios Closing Beds Across CA, CHA News Release Warns
What’s happening: On Tuesday, CHA issued a news release describing how new staffing ratios for acute care psychiatric hospitals are forcing bed closures and driving youth and adults in mental health crisis into overcrowded emergency departments.
Applications Open for HCAI Behavioral Health Workforce Funding
What’s happening: Hospitals should consider applying for a new, multi-year $196 million behavioral health workforce recruitment and retention program recently launched by the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI).
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.
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.