More than 2,000 Kaiser mental health professionals could go on strike Monday

Title: Kaiser Mental Health Professionals Plan to Strike: A Battle Over Timely Care and Fair Compensation

In a move that could significantly impact the lives of thousands of patients, more than 2,000 unionized psychologists, therapists, and other mental health professionals at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California are preparing to go on strike. This decision comes after months of negotiations with Kaiser Permanente, during which the mental health professionals have been pushing for better pay, more time to handle duties outside of therapy appointments, and adequate staffing to provide timely care.

Background: The Struggle for Better Mental Health Care

The potential strike is not just a labor dispute; it is a fight for the very essence of mental health care. Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States, has been under scrutiny for its handling of mental health services. In 2023, the California Department of Managed Health Care fined Kaiser a record $50 million for violating mental health parity laws. The fine was a result of state investigators finding that Kaiser had significantly understaffed its mental health services, leading to excessive wait times for therapy appointments.

This issue is not new. In 2022, a 10-week strike by mental health therapists in Northern California highlighted the same problems. Despite reaching a settlement that required Kaiser to invest $150 million over five years in improving its mental health care, the issues persist. According to recent union surveys, 62% of Kaiser mental health workers in Southern California reported that their departments lacked enough staff to provide timely and appropriate care. An astonishing 71% stated they regularly had to work beyond normal hours to keep up with the demand.

The Strike: What’s at Stake

The strike, set to begin Monday, will involve nearly 2,400 mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, psychiatric nurses, addiction medicine counselors, licensed clinical counselors, and marriage and family therapists. These professionals provide behavioral health care for Kaiser’s 4.8 million members in hospitals, clinics, and medical offices across Southern California.

The strike announcement comes exactly one year after the state’s fine, and it marks a turning point in the long-standing struggle between the unionized mental health workers and Kaiser Permanente. The union, National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), has been pushing for several key contract planks aimed at reducing turnover and improving care. These include:

• Fair Pay: NUHW argues that mental health professionals should be paid fairly, reflecting the importance of their work. Currently, they earn up to 40% less than non-mental health caregivers, whose jobs require less education and fewer licensing requirements.

• More Time for Duties: The union is seeking more time for mental health professionals to handle critical patient care duties outside of therapy appointments. In Northern California, therapists are guaranteed seven hours per week for these duties, whereas in Southern California, they are guaranteed only two hours.

• Pension Restoration: Another major issue is the restoration of pensions for mental health professionals. Those hired after 2014 do not receive pensions, contributing to high turnover rates and undermining Kaiser's mental health pipeline program.

The Struggle Continues: Both Sides’ Perspectives

Kaiser Permanente has acknowledged its past shortcomings in mental health care but maintains that significant progress has been made. The organization points out that it has invested more than $1 billion since 2020 to expand its mental health workforce by 30% in Southern California over the past four years. However, the union disputes these claims, citing ongoing wait times and inadequate staffing.

"We have voiced our concern about how therapy at Kaiser feels like an assembly line," said Kassaundra Gutierrez-Thompson, a Los Angeles-based psychiatric counselor and member of the bargaining committee. "At its existing level of staffing, the result is burnt-out therapists and patients who just get the short end of the stick".

Kaiser Permanente has presented a strong proposal that includes wage increases up to 18% above market rates and enhanced comprehensive benefits. However, the union argues that these offers do not address the core issues of staffing and workload. "What we’re proposing is necessary for Kaiser to have the staffing and resources to fix its mental healthcare system," said Gena Porter, a psychiatric nurse for Kaiser in Riverside.

Preparations for a Potential Strike

Despite ongoing negotiations, both sides are preparing for the possibility of a strike. Kaiser Permanente has emphasized its commitment to providing mental health care during any work stoppage. The organization has outlined plans to ensure that patients have access to alternative mental health professionals within its extensive network. However, daily picket lines and rallies are planned outside Kaiser facilities throughout Los Angeles, San Diego, Bakersfield, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

Conclusion: The Impact on Patients

The impending strike highlights the complexities and challenges in providing quality mental health care. For the thousands of patients who rely on Kaiser Permanente for their behavioral health, the strike could mean delays in treatment and potentially life-altering consequences.

While negotiations continue, it is clear that the fate of Kaiser’s mental health system hangs in the balance. As the strike looms, one thing is certain: the future of timely and compassionate mental health care at Kaiser Permanente will be shaped by the decisions made in the coming days.

References:

• https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-10-18/thousands-of-kaiser-mental-health-workers-could-launch-strike-monday
• https://about.kaiserpermanente.org/who-we-are/labor-relations/nuhw-bargaining/kaiser-permanente-of-southern-californa-statement-on-nuhw-10-day-strike-notice
• https://home.nuhw.org/2024/10/11/nearly-2400-kaiser-permanente-mental-health-professionals-to-start-open-ended-strike-oct-21/