Summary of Minimum Wage Increase for Health Care Workers

California Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a race against time to delay a higher minimum wage for health care workers that he signed into law. The law, set to take effect in two weeks, would phase in a $25 minimum wage for California’s lowest-paid health care workers beginning June 1. However, Newsom is seeking to postpone the wage increase due to its potential impact on the state budget deficit.

With negotiations ongoing, many health workers are left in limbo, unsure if they will indeed receive a raise. Some remain hopeful, while others have already been notified by their employers or have started to see increased pay.

The union that advocated for the health care pay increase, Service Employees International Union-United Healthcare Workers West, has launched an advertising campaign to hold Newsom accountable to the law he signed. The campaign aims to remind people of the importance of the wage increase for health care workers.

While some employers and associations are moving forward with the raises as scheduled, others are waiting for confirmation of any changes to the law. The cost of the minimum wage increase to the state is estimated to be around $4 billion a year, with potential impacts on Medi-Cal payments to hospitals and clinics.

As the deadline approaches, the fate of the minimum wage hike for health care workers remains uncertain. Newsom’s administration, the Legislature, and proponents of the law are working to reach a deal that addresses the state’s budget conditions while ensuring fair wages for health care workers. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.