(a) The intent of this section is to monitor the effects of cost targets on health care workforce stability, high-quality jobs, and training needs of health care workers, in addition to adjustments to cost targets pertaining to nonsupervisory employee organized labor costs pursuant to paragraph (7) of subdivision (d) of Section 127502. The Legislature intends that the office use a transparent process that allows for public input to monitor how health care entities achieve the cost targets and highlight best practices and discourage practices harmful to workers and patients.

(b) The office shall monitor health care costs while promoting health care workforce stability, including the competitive wages and benefits of frontline health care workers, and the professional judgment of health professionals acting within their scope of practice. The office shall monitor health care workforce stability with the goal that workforce shortages do not undermine health care affordability, access, quality, equity, and culturally and linguistically competent care. The office shall also promote the goal of health care affordability, while recognizing the need to maintain and increase the supply of trained health care workers.

(c) To assist health care entities in implementing cost-reducing strategies that advance the stability of the health care workforce, and without exacerbating existing health care workforce shortages, the office, on or before July 2024, in consultation with the board and with input from organized labor representing health care workers, health care entities, and other entities and individuals with expertise in the health care workforce, shall develop standards to advance the stability of the health care workforce. The standards may be considered in the setting of cost targets pursuant to Section 127502 or in the approval of performance improvement plans imposed pursuant to Section 127502.5.

(Added by Stats. 2022, Ch. 47, Sec. 19. (SB 184) Effective June 30, 2022.)