Publications

California’s Health Workforce Pilot Projects (HWPP) program was established in 1972 and is administered by the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. The HWPP program offers an opportunity to safely demonstrate and evaluate new approaches to care delivery before changing laws and regulations. HWPP demonstrations can allow health care workers to acquire new skills; develop new health care occupations or accelerate training in existing categories; or teach new roles to providers with no prior training. The HWPP program has played a role in the passage of pivotal legislation, such as the Nurse Practice Act, Dental Practice Act, and Emergency Medical Services Act, among many others. Between 1973 and 2005, a total of 171 applications were made to HWPP. This report analyzes the HWPP pilot programs during this period and discusses their roles in changing health care legislation in California.