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 Supports Bill to Train More Doctors to Address Opioid & Substance Use Epidemic
What’s happening: The Substance Use Disorder Workforce Act (H.R. 7050) was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
What else to know: CHA is part of a coalition supporting this legislation.
House Passes First Package to Fund Federal Government, Includes Health Provisions
What’s happening: The U.S. House passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which will fund a portion of the federal government through the end of the fiscal year. The package includes a group of CHA-supported health care provisions important to hospitals.
What else to know: Congress has until March 22 to pass a second package to fund the rest of the federal government, including the Department of Health and Human Services.
Hospitals Are Invited to Join HQI’s Community of Practice on Eliminating Workplace Violence
What’s happening: The Hospital Quality Institute (HQI) is facilitating a Community of Practice on Eliminating Hospital Workplace Violence.
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.
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.