Brown Allows Hiring at OSHPD To Speed Review of Hospital Construction
Earlier this month, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) exempted the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from a hiring freeze so the agency could accelerate the approval process for hospital construction projects, Payers & Providers reports.
Background
In February, Brown instituted a hiring freeze for state government agencies to address the state's multibillion dollar budget deficit.
The freeze barred state agencies from hiring new workers, recruiting outside contractors or converting part-time positions to full-time jobs.
OSHPD Exemption
The exemption for OSHPD allows the agency to hire 26 workers for its facilities development division and bring two structural engineers out of retirement.
The additions to OSHPD's work force will expand overall employment in the division by about 10%. OSHPD will pay the new workers through its hospital building fund, which receives payment through hospital fees.
David Byrnes, a spokesperson for OSHPD, said the expanded work force will improve the agency's ability to review hospital construction projects. Many hospitals are undertaking major building initiatives to comply with state seismic safety mandates (Payers & Providers, 5/19).
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