Kaiser Protocols Violate Laws Amid Southern California Mental Health Strike

Kaiser Permanente's Mental Health Strike: Allegations of Protocol Violations

Protests Planned for Monday through Wednesday Across Southern California

Glendale, Calif – Allegations have emerged that Kaiser Permanente's handling of patient appointments during the ongoing mental health strike in Southern California may breach state regulations and the organization's own service continuity plans. The National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW), representing nearly 2,400 striking mental health professionals, claims Kaiser's internal protocols contravene legal and internal guidelines.

Documents acquired by NUHW, detailing Kaiser's procedures for contacting patients about canceled appointments due to the strike, have raised concerns. In a formal complaint to state authorities, NUHW outlines several discrepancies:

• While Kaiser's contingency plan promises a two-week waitlist for patients, internal instructions reportedly extend this to 30 days, conflicting with legal requirements for timely follow-up care.
• The plan mandates a risk assessment for each patient after two weeks of the strike, yet this is allegedly omitted in internal procedures.
• Kaiser’s plan indicates three outreach attempts for appointment cancellations, but staff are reportedly directed to make only two.
• A "warm transfer" to crisis therapists for further assessment is part of the plan, but internal guidelines allegedly lack such directives.

Additionally, whistleblowers within Kaiser report that appointments for patients with severe mental health issues are being canceled, potentially exacerbating their conditions.

NUHW President Emeritus Sal Rosselli stated, "Kaiser’s actions are immoral and illegal," criticizing the inadequacy of Kaiser's plans to sustain mental health services during the strike.

The complaint, submitted by NUHW researcher Fred Seavey to the California Department of Managed Health Care, demands urgent enforcement of state laws to ensure Kaiser enrollees receive necessary care.

Despite the strike, Kaiser is required by law to provide all necessary behavioral health services. Should in-network care be unavailable, Kaiser must arrange out-of-network alternatives.

Kaiser had submitted a brief plan to state regulators before the strike's commencement, which lacked detailed strategies for service replacement, especially in comparison to a more comprehensive plan from a previous strike in Northern California.

No picket lines are planned for Thursday and Friday. Picket lines will be active from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Wednesday.

Picketing Locations for Monday:

• Los Angeles Medical Center, 4867 W. Sunset Blvd.
• San Diego Medical Center, 9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
• Fontana Medical Center, 9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana
• Anaheim Medical Center, 3440 East La Palma Ave., Anaheim

Picketing Locations for Tuesday:

• Riverside Medical Center, 10800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside
• Woodland Hills Medical Center, 5601 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills
• San Diego Medical Center, 9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
• Downey Medical Center, 9333 Imperial Highway, Downey

Picketing Locations for Wednesday:

• Alton/Sand Canyon Medical Offices, 6650 Alton Parkway, Irvine
• San Diego Medical Center, 9455 Clairemont Mesa Blvd.
• Fontana Medical Center, 9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana
• Lancaster Medical Offices, 43112 15th St. W, Lancaster
• Baldwin Park Medical Center, 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd.

A lunchtime rally featuring community and elected leaders will take place at all strike locations. Click here for a full list of picket line locations and click here for a fact sheet about the strike.

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The National Union of Healthcare Workers is a member-led movement that represents 19,000 healthcare workers in California and Hawai’i, including more than 4,700 Kaiser mental health professionals.