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California, the nation’s most populous state, struggles with a shortage of health care workers to meet the demands of its aging and diverse residents. This series assesses whether recommendations made by state, labor, academic, and industry representatives have eased the state’s need for doctors, nurses, behavioral health providers, and community health workers.
The state has in recent years embraced several initiatives recommended in an influential health care workforce report, including alternative payment arrangements for primary care doctors to earn more. Despite increasing residency programs, student debt forgiveness, and tuition-free medical school, California is unlikely to meet patient demand, observers say.
California’s nursing shortage is projected to worsen, and hospitals say funding cuts will only add strain. But front-line nurses blame heavy workloads, not a shortage, for driving workers away.
California has put a greater focus on behavioral health workers, but a huge spike in demand, an aging workforce, and employee burnout continue to hamper mental health and substance use treatment. The state is tapping Medicaid funds to train, recruit, and retain workers, but it will be a long time before the impacts are evident.
A statewide initiative to formalize the role of community health workers and expand their ranks was meant to improve the health of underserved communities, particularly Hispanic populations, who often experience higher rates of chronic illnesses. But years in, California has abandoned a certification program and rescinded public support.
Angela Hart
Christine Mai-Duc
Vanessa G. Sánchez
Bernard J. Wolfson
Elisa Ferrari
Kevin Painchaud
Rich Pedroncelli
Judy Lin
Samantha Young
Gabe Brison-Trezise
Terry Byrne
J.J. Evans
Phillip Reese