Department of Health Care Access and Information Officially Launches With New Name, Expanded Program Portfolio

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Today, the former Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) publicly embraces its evolution to the Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) with the official launch of its new name and updated website reflecting its expanding program portfolio.

This process was set in motion with the enactment of the 2021-22 state budget, which recognized OSPHD’s growing responsibilities made it time to recast and modernize the office as a state department.

“After more than 40 years of service to the people of California as OSHPD, today we embark on a new era as our collection of programs grows to provide additional services to the Golden State,” said HCAI Director Elizabeth Landsberg. “Our core OSHPD programs remain as we expand our programs and take a broader strategic approach to help expand the health workforce to meet California’s diverse needs and communities.”

The new HCAI is committed to expanding equitable access to health care for all Californians — ensuring every community has the health workforce they need, safe and reliable health care facilities, and health information that can help make care more effective and more affordable.

Some of the changes taking place at HCAI include:

• Today’s launch of the new website, HCAI logo and branding.
• Creating a California Health Workforce Education and Training Council to provide guidance on statewide health workforce education and training needs.
• Developing a new California Health Workforce Research Data Center that will serve as the state’s central hub of health workforce information.
• Updating our data programs, including greater flexibility with the outcomes reporting on surgical cardiac procedures and improved access to birth and death data.

The biggest area of growth under HCAI is in the health workforce field. As California’s health care needs continue to expand, HCAI is responsible for managing programs that grew substantially in this year’s budget, including new areas of workforce development.

Along with the recast and new programs, HCAI will continue to be managed by the same leadership and staff as OSPHD and will continue with its existing initiatives.

HCAI has a year to complete its transition to a department, and will be working closely with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to ensure HCAI’s expanding portfolio meets their needs and helps expand access to quality health care in every community.

Learn more about the new programs and changes at HCAI on the new Department website: www.hcai.ca.gov.

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