The MolinaCares Accord Hosts Panel on Strengthening California’s Health Care Workforce
Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-
1588; Roger Salazar, rsalazar@alzamedia.com, 916-284-1255
California State Senator Lena Gonzalez provides welcome remarks with focus on access and equity
LONG BEACH, Calif., Apr. 1, 2022 – The MolinaCares Accord (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of California (“Molina”), hosted a virtual panel on Strengthening California’s Health Care Workforce. California State Senator Lena Gonzalez offered welcoming remarks before a panel of experts moderated by Legacy Health Endowment President and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Lewis.
The panel of experts from across California discussed the provider pipeline, the need to increase access to medical education and training programs, efforts to improve diversity, and how existing shortages and gaps in the workforce have deepened during the COVID-19 pandemic. They focused on what government, providers, and health plans are doing to address challenges and strengthen the health care workforce, particularly for underserved populations.
Senator Gonzalez opened the panel by highlighting her efforts in the Legislature to increase access to safe and high-quality health care for Californians, stating, “As California continues to face shortages in the health care workforce and other challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that we invest in programs and solutions that will help bolster workforce training, retain staff, and provide new opportunities for students from underrepresented regions and backgrounds to pursue health careers and keep up with demand. Last year, the Legislature passed a budget with significant investments dedicated to these efforts, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the State Legislature to ensure we continue to support our state’s health care workforce.”
“Molina serves members in communities across California that are grappling firsthand with the challenges posed by gaps in our state’s health care workforce,” said Neeta Alengadan, associate vice president for healthcare services for Molina Healthcare of California, who followed Senator Gonzalez’s remarks. “Our commitment to providing our members with high-quality, whole-person care and services includes supporting ongoing investments and solutions that are making California’s health care workforce stronger.”
The panel of experts included Lisa Folberg, chief executive officer of the California Academy of Family Physicians; Dr. Cozzette Lyons-Jones, president of the Association of Black Women Physicians; and Andrea Schwab-Galindo, board member of the California Primary Care Association and chief executive officer of the Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center.
The full panel discussion can be viewed HERE.
About The MolinaCares Accord:
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of California:
Molina Healthcare of California has been providing government-funded care for over 40 years. The Company serves members through Medi-Cal, Medicare, Medicare-Medicaid (Duals) and Covered California (Marketplace). Molina’s service areas include Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange County, and Imperial counties. Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, served approximately 5.2 million members as of December 31, 2021. For more information about Molina Healthcare of California, visit MolinaHealthcare.com.