About Workforce

California’s shortage of health care workers, which was already struggling to keep pace with the growing demand for services before the pandemic, has only been exacerbated by COVID-19. Statewide, more than 11 million Californians live in an area without enough primary care providers. These patients often face a health care system lacking enough nurses, physicians, pharmacists, behavioral health professionals, lab scientists, geriatric specialists, and physical therapists to provide the care they need. To care for patients across the state, California needs to add 500,000 new allied health care professionals — such as medical assistants, imaging specialists, and other non-nursing staff — by 2024.
Health care offers Californians solid career paths with upward mobility and economic stability, and each year hospitals invest millions of dollars in training California’s next generation of health care providers. But closing the gaps will require partnerships among all who recognize the need to protect the health of Californians: employers, workers, policymakers, colleges, licensing entities, and others. Regulatory changes are needed to improve efficiency and transparency in licensing, address limitations on scope of practice, and enhance education and training for nurses and nurse assistants.
HRSA Announces Multiple Funding Opportunities
Several new funding opportunities are available from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA).
Reminder: Registration Open for Retention Payment Program
CHA would like to remind members that registration is now open for the Retention Payment Program.
Department of Labor Announces Nursing Expansion Grant Program, Applications Due Jan. 6
The U.S. Department of Labor announced an $80 million funding opportunity through its Nursing Expansion Grant Program to address workforce development challenges, including training, diversification, and nursing shortages. Applications are due by Jan. 6.
Reps. Harder and McNerney Introduce Bill to Extend GME Residency Cap
Reps. Josh Harder (CA-10) and Jerry McNerney (CA-9) introduced the Train More Doctors Act of 2022 (H.R. 9156), which would extend the current Medicare graduate medical education residency cap timeline for teaching hospitals that have had their recruitment disrupted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. The current rule places a cap on residency slots based on the fifth year […]
DHCS Opens Registration for Retention Payment Program
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has opened registration for the Retention Payment Program. As of Oct. 21, covered entities, which include hospitals, may register with DHCS.
DHCS Publishes Registration and Application Timeline for Retention Payment Program
On Sept. 29, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) updated the timeline for the Retention Payment Program. The timeline clarifies when covered entities, which include hospitals, must register with DHCS to receive an application for the Retention Payment Program.
HCAI Announces Health Professions Pathway Program Awardees
The Department of Health Care Access and Information has announced the approval of $40.8 million in grant awards to 20 organizations that support and encourage students from underrepresented regions and backgrounds to pursue health care careers.
Retention Payment Update: DHCS Publishes FAQs and Glossary of Terms
On Aug. 25, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) officially updated the timeline for the retention payment program to clarify that an employee must be employed on Nov. 28 to qualify for the retention payment (date of record). DHCS also provided FAQs and a glossary of terms.
Deadline Extended to Apply for Song-Brown Residency Funding Program
The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has extended to Aug. 26 the deadline to apply for the Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Program, Primary Care Residency. This program now includes funding opportunities to support the creation of new residency programs.