Senate Concurrent Resolution
No. 49
CHAPTER 58
Relative to Make It In Scrubs Month.
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Filed with
Secretary of State
June 21, 2007.
]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
SCR 49, Ridley-Thomas.
Make It In Scrubs Month.
This measure would proclaim June 2007 as Make It In Scrubs Month in order to recognize the importance of encouraging the state’s youth to pursue careers in the health care profession and the need to expand health care education programs in the state’s universities and colleges.
Digest Key
Fiscal Committee:
NO WHEREAS, The health care workforce shortage presents a growing crisis in California as the state’s population ages and increases. The state currently has shortages in nearly all categories of the health care workforce; and
WHEREAS, Of California’s 58 counties, 51 have at least one Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), which means a geographic area, a population group, or a health care facility that has been designated by the federal government as having a shortage of health care professionals; and
WHEREAS, The Counties of Fresno, Humboldt, Imperial, Kern, Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, and Ventura either have received a score indicating the highest level of need or have the greatest shortage of full-time equivalent, nonfederal primary medical care, dental care, and mental health care providers serving an area, a population group, or a health care facility
; andWHEREAS, A key indicator of the health care workforce shortage is the poor geographic distribution of health care professionals. Many urban neighborhoods, and most rural communities, experience major difficulty recruiting and retaining adequate numbers of health care professionals to meet local needs; and
WHEREAS, Latino, African-American, and Southeast Asian communities are among the fastest growing communities collectively but are underrepresented in the health care profession; and
WHEREAS, Studies by The California Wellness Foundation, the University of California, the Sullivan Commission, and the Institute of Medicine indicate that a health care workforce that more closely mirrors the demographics of the California population will bring greater access to health care services and improved quality of care for many Californians; and
WHEREAS, Public-private partnerships have been formed to assist students through the education pipeline with integrated approaches involving academic support, financial aid, and training opportunities; and
WHEREAS, According to the Campaign for College Opportunity, demand for health care workers is expected to grow at such a pace that, by 2022, the health care field will be the state’s third hottest market for college-educated workers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly thereof concurring, That the Legislature recognizes the need for a large-scale effort to promote health care careers to young Californians, paying particular attention to the career expectations and cultural and language competencies of California students; and be further
Resolved, That the Legislature proclaims the month of June 2007 as Make It In Scrubs Month in order to recognize both the importance of attracting, motivating, and training California’s youth for rewarding careers in the health care profession and the need to expand health care education programs in the state’s colleges and universities in order to reduce admission waiting lists, expand financial aid opportunities, and encourage young people across all cultures to pursue careers in the health care profession; and be it further
Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.