Kaiser Mental Health Strike Reaches Ninth Week, Impacts Patients

Health Sector Strikes Cause Appointments Disruptions

The ongoing Kaiser Mental Health Strike, now in its ninth week, continues to draw media attention, highlighting the impact on patient care due to Kaiser’s refusal to agree to fair contract terms. Reports from Capital and Main point to widespread appointment cancellations, while KPBS in San Diego has interviewed patients facing challenges in accessing care. Adrianna Webb, a NUHW member at Kaiser, shared her insights on the strike in Labor Notes.

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital Picket

In another labor action, KTLA Channel 5, ABC7, and Glendale News Press covered the first informational picket at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital. Approximately 400 NUHW members are advocating for a contract that ensures safe staffing levels and equitable pay and benefits comparable to their peers in other USC network hospitals.

San Benito Health District Outlines Next Steps

The San Benito Health District has announced six key steps to finalize the lease-to-own transaction between Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital and Insight. According to SanBenito.com, these steps include finalizing definitive agreements, submitting state applications, presenting agreements to the board, obtaining board approval, regulatory review and approval, and closing the transaction with management transition to Insight.

Closure of Maternity Wards Sparks Legislation

Since 2020, half of California's maternity centers have shut down, leaving only four licensed facilities operational. This trend has led to the emergence of maternity care deserts in large and small communities. In response, Assemblymember Mia Bonta, Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, introduced AB 55 (Birth Center Licensure Streamlining) to simplify licensing requirements. CalMatters reports that while state licenses are not mandatory for maternity centers, the expensive and cumbersome process poses significant operational challenges, as most insurers and Medi-Cal work exclusively with licensed centers.

New Developments in California Healthcare Facilities

ABC10 reports that Sutter Health plans to commence construction of the $145 million Sutter Folsom outpatient care complex in early spring 2025, with completion anticipated in 2026. The 106,500-square-foot facility will include specialists such as oncologists, OB-GYNs, neurologists, cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, ENT specialists, and urologists, along with outpatient surgery, imaging, laboratory services, and a dedicated cancer center.

In Mission Viejo, Becker’s Hospital Review details the $712 million expansion of Providence Mission Hospital. The project, expected to be completed by 2030, includes a new tower with 12 operating rooms and 76 beds, alongside an expanded emergency department. Announced in 2022, the initiative will also establish two specialty care centers in Rancho Mission Viejo and San Clemente, as reported by The Orange County Register.

Leadership Changes at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center

Dr. Amy Herold has been appointed Chief Administrative Officer at Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, as reported by Becker’s Hospital Review. Dr. Herold will continue as Chief Medical Officer, succeeding Scott Ciesielski, who has taken on the role of Chief Administrative Officer for Providence's Sonoma County service area. Dr. Herold, with over seven years at Queen of the Valley, was named Chief Medical Officer for Providence hospitals in South Bay Los Angeles in 2022 before returning to her current position in March.