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.
House Ways and Means Committee Advances Bipartisan Tax Package
What’s happening: The House Ways and Means Committee voted 40-3 last week to advance the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (TRAFWA) of 2024, which includes provisions that have bipartisan support.
What else to know: To pay for the package cost, the legislation accelerates the employee retention credit (ERC) claims submission deadline to Jan. 31. The ERC is a refundable tax credit for employers, including hospitals, who kept workers on their payrolls during the COVID-19 pandemic.
HQI Will Facilitate Community of Practice on Workplace Violence in 2024
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) will facilitate a Community of Practice on Eliminating Hospital Workplace Violence from January to December 2024.
What else to know: The purpose of the Community of Practice is to connect individuals working on the issue of workplace violence in hospitals through a collaborative network designed for peer-to-peer learning and exchange.
Five California Teaching Hospitals Awarded Additional Residency Slots
What’s Happening: New graduate medical education (GME) residency slots have been allotted to teaching hospitals serving geographic areas and underserved populations.
What Else to Know: Applications for the third round of residency positions will open in January and close March 31.
Have Questions About Minimum Wage Bill? CHA FAQs May Help
What’s Happening: CHA has released FAQs on Senate Bill 525, which creates minimum wages for health care workers.
What Else to Know? The FAQs are designed to answer member questions and will be updated as more information becomes available.
COVID-19 Archive Chronicles Pandemic Memories
Alameda Health System has published a collective memory of the work it did to care for its community throughout the pandemic.