On October 12, 2019, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed The Hospital Supplier Diversity Act (Assembly Bill 962) into law to encourage the State’s major healthcare providers to work with a diverse range of suppliers as a way to create business opportunities for everyone in California. Under the law, hospitals with more than $25 million in annual operating expenses must submit annual reports detailing their supplier diversity efforts with minority-, women-, LGBT-, and veteran-owned businesses.
In addition to new reporting requirements that went into effect July 1, 2021, the law also required the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development to create a commission to promote the usage of diverse supplier networks and provide outreach to hospitals that are actively engaged in supplier diversity efforts.
As the text of A.B 962 notes, “Hospitals are uniquely positioned to build relationships within the communities they serve through the development, inclusion, and utilization of certified minority, women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), and disabled veteran business enterprises whenever possible.”
According to the American Hospital Association, California hospitals account for $230 billion[1] in the State’s economy, so hospitals’ potential to make an impact on diverse businesses and their communities is significant.
Today, many businesses—not only hospitals—are proactively searching for ways to add diversity to their supplier networks. But even the most determined leaders sometimes find it challenging to identify businesses that can help them build diverse supplier relationships.
We’re happy to report that Vantage ID is WBENC and NMSDC certified as a woman- and minority-owned business that qualifies as a diverse supplier for the healthcare industry.
While we’re glad to forge new relationships with hospitals that are looking for diverse suppliers; experience, expertise, and a wide range of innovative solutions are the primary reasons most healthcare leaders choose to work with Vantage ID.
We work closely with Zebra Technologies to offer a full range of workforce mobility and data capture hardware and supplies for hospitals, including:
Mobile devices: We sell and support Zebra’s entire lineup of handheld mobile computers, rugged tablets and mobile printers, including devices that are engineered specifically for healthcare applications.
Barcode scanners: Zebra’s industry-leading portfolio of barcode scanners—and the scanning technology built into many of their mobile devices—can streamline data capture in every area of the hospital, from patient admissions and the point of care to the lab and pharmacy.
Printers and supplies: From wristband printers to mobile label printers, Zebra offers full range of hospital, lab, and clinic printing solutions. And Zebra’s labels, wristbands, and supplies are trusted to reduce printer downtime and boost productivity.
Radio Frequency Identification: From automatically tracking high-value assets and equipment to maintaining full visibility of critical supplies, the uses for RFID in hospitals are as varied as they are effective. Together, Zebra and Vantage ID have the expertise needed to customize an RFID solution for virtually any hospital.
Legislative observers across the country know that something that shows up in California has a good chance of eventually taking affect in other states. So, it probably won’t be long before other states enact similar diverse-supplier legislation. So, whether your hospital is in California or another state, if you’re searching for a proven supplier who can deliver expertise and help you expand supplier diversity, contact Vantage ID.
[1] https://www.aha.org/infographics/2018-06-05-effect-hospitals-total-expenditures-total-output-state-economy-interactive