On June 30, 2022, Governor Newsom signed legislation​ aimed at stabilizing and retaining California's health care workforce and recognizing the sacrifices our health care workforce has made over the course of the pandemic. The bill provides $1.3 billion to provide a financial stipend for every individual working in eligible hospital settings, including physicians.

Health care worker retention bonuses will be available to employees of hospitals, clinics that are 1206(l)s and affiliated with a hospital, and skilled nursing facilities and physicians who work in those facilities during the eligibility period, which runs from July 30-October 28,^, 2022.

For physicians, the retention pay bonus will be $1000, with the funds being provided through the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Physicians who provide patient care in hospitals or work as a member of the patient care team during the qualifying work period will be eligible for the payments.

(Please note, DHCS may reduce the payment amounts if the total amount based on the number of eligible employees and physician exceeds the total funding provided by the state.)

Employers or physician organizations must submit their applications, including a list of eligible employees no later than 5 p.m. (PST) on December 30, 2022. Information on the application submission process will be released over the coming weeks.

For more information, contact DHCS at wrp@dhcs.ca.gov.