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.
Mad River Community Hospital – Workforce Housing
To ease the burden of expensive housing on its workers and ensure access to care for its patients, Mad River Community Hospital owns three homes and leases a handful of apartments for its staff.
Rural Hospital Responds to Real Estate Market with Housing for Workers
The loss of affordable housing in Arcata has made it difficult for Mad River Community Hospital to recruit and retain employees. In this video, see how investing in real estate eases the burden on its workers and ensures access to care for its patients.
CHA Urges Dept. of Education to Provide Loan Forgiveness to California and Texas Physicians
CHA — along with the California Medical Association (CMA), the Texas Hospital Association, and the Texas Medical Association — submitted a joint letter last week to U.S. Department of Education (DOE) Secretary Miguel Cardona on federal student loan forgiveness for physicians.
Retention Payment Update: CHA Publishes Provisional FAQs
On July 22, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) officially announced that the clock for the Retention Payment Program will begin on July 30 and run until Oct. 28.
Retention Payment Update: The Clock Starts July 30
On July 22, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) officially announced that the clock for the retention payment program will begin on July 30 and run until Oct. 28.
Innovative Wellness Program Shows Employees They’re Valued
When workers at Mayers Memorial Healthcare District in the Shasta County town of Fall River Mills became overwhelmed by the pandemic, the hospital launched an innovative program and hired a wellness coordinator to assess and tend to the needs of other staff. Learn more about the role of the wellness coordinator, whose goal is to […]
Innovative Wellness Program Shows Employees They’re Valued
One hospital’s solution to a workforce overwhelmed by two years of pandemic: a wellness coordinator who reminds staff they are valued and cared for.
CHA Supports Expanded GME in Reconciliation Legislation
CHA — as part of the Graduate Medical Education (GME) Advocacy Coalition — sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to increase Medicare support for GME in the budget reconciliation legislation.
Implementing State Retention Pay Program: Operational & Communications Support
Join us for a webinar that will answer questions about the mechanics of delivering the retention payments and will provide resources to support communications with your teams.