Department of Health Care Access and Information.

Assembly Member Schiavo's proposal to expand California's health workforce data collection would require the Department of Health Care Access and Information (DHCAI) to analyze trends in employer-sponsored health coverage waiting periods as part of its annual legislative report.

The measure adds two requirements to DHCAI's existing annual report on healthcare workforce trends and educational pipeline gaps. The department would need to document patterns in health coverage waiting periods across employment sectors and recommend policies to address coverage gaps for employees subject to these waiting periods. These new elements would complement the report's current components, which include workforce supply and demand analysis, identification of geographic and occupational shortages, and assessment of workforce development programs.

The proposed changes maintain DHCAI's role as California's central source for healthcare workforce data while broadening its analysis to include access barriers within employer-sponsored coverage systems. The department would continue submitting its findings according to standard legislative reporting protocols, with no additional funding allocated for the expanded scope.