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 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.
Hospital Leaders Discuss Financial Challenges with Legislators on Capitol Hill
What’s happening: Last week, California hospital and health system leaders convened in Washington, D.C. for the American Hospital Association (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting.
What else to know: Hospital and health system leaders participated in meetings on Capitol Hill with the California congressional delegation to advance CHA’s position on key advocacy priorities.
CMS Finalizes Skilled-Nursing Facility Staffing Standards
What’s happening: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule establishing 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. Compliance with overall ratios is required beginning May 2026.
Loan Forgiveness Maximum Increased for Physicians in Shortage Areas
What’s happening: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has increased the maximum loan amount that can be forgiven for doctors who commit to practicing in a health professional shortage area.
What else to know: HRSA is accepting applications to participate in this year’s program through May 9 at 4:30 p.m. (PT).
Submit Medicare Physician Attestation Statements by May 3
What’s happening: As a condition of participation, Medicare-certified hospitals must complete attestation and acknowledgment of physicians with newly granted admitting privileges in the previous calendar year.
What else to know: Attestation statements for 2023 should be submitted by May 3.
Join HQI’s Virtual Forum on Use of Force in Managing Workplace Violence
What’s happening: CHA’s Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) will hold a virtual forum on Hospital Workplace Violence: Security Personnel and the Continuum of Force on April 18 from noon to 1 p.m. (PT).
What else to know: The forum will discuss the pros and cons of various methods used by hospital security officers when responding to escalating levels of threats within a hospital facility, including the use of stun guns. Registration is open.
Panel Explores Reasons for Hospital Maternity Ward Closures
What’s happening: The closure of labor and delivery units in California hospitals was the focus of a recent panel discussion sponsored by the nonprofit news organization CalMatters. Peggy Wheeler, CHA vice president, policy, appeared on the panel.
What else to know: The discussion “No Deliveries: When Maternity Wards Close, Where Do Patients Go?” focused on the pace and impact of maternity unit closures and efforts to protect access. Wheeler shared the reasons underlying these closures, including low birth rates, workforce challenges, and insufficient Medi-Cal reimbursement rates.
BRN Seeks Input on Areas for Improvement
What’s happening: The California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) invites registered nurses and community stakeholders to complete its consumer satisfaction survey.
What else to know: Anyone who has interacted with or been contacted by the BRN is encouraged to complete the survey by May 27.