For immediate release December 31, 2014 Contact: Justin DeFreitas: (510) 701-1415; [email protected] Click here to download the press release and picket schedule as a PDF KAISER PERMANENTE CLINICIANS TO LAUNCH NATION’S LARGEST EVER MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS’ STRIKE JAN. 12 2,600 Kaiser California mental health clinicians notify state and federal authorities today that they will hold a week-long statewide strike over the HMO’s failure to provide timely, adequate care to patients. Local contacts and information on 35 strike locations and 65 picket lines below EMERYVILLE — Kaiser Permanente’s 2,600 California mental health clinicians — psychologists, therapists, and social workers represented by the National Union of Healthcare Workers — will launch a statewide strike on Monday, January 12, to protest Kaiser’s chronic failure to provide its members with timely, quality mental health care. Kaiser staff will be on 65 picket lines at more than 35 locations throughout the state during the scheduled week-long strike. Notice of the strike was filed today. More than 700 other Kaiser workers will join the picket lines, including Northern California optical workers and Southern California medical social workers, speech pathologists, audiologists, health educators, and registered dietitians, all of whom also report problems with inadequate staffing. Despite huge profits — “nonprofit” Kaiser has made more $14 billion since 2009, and this year’s profits of more than $3 billion are up 40 percent over last year’s record— Kaiser Permanente does not staff its psychiatry departments with enough clinicians to treat the ever-growing number of patients seeking mental health care. Kaiser’s systemic understaffing forces patients to endure lengthy waits for treatment — weeks and even months — in violation of California law and industry standards. Last year Kaiser was fined $4 million for imposing lengthy and illegal appointment delays on mental health patients. Since then, Kaiser has failed to correct the violations. Compounding the crisis, during the first nine months of 2014, Kaiser added 422,000 new members nationwide, many as a result of the Affordable Care Act. “For patients suffering from depression, anxiety, and other debilitating mental conditions, these delays can be insurmountable obstacles, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes,” said Clement Papazian, a clinical social worker at Kaiser in Oakland and president of NUHW’s Northern California chapter of mental health clinicians. “We don’t want to see patients being ignored. Kaiser’s actions are doing real harm. Even suicides have been linked to Kaiser’s delays and denial of care.” For more than four years Kaiser has refused to acknowledge the problems caused by its lengthy appointment delays, much less fix them. Having exhausted every other means, Kaiser’s mental health clinicians are adhering to their ethical responsibility to advocate for their patients by conducting a strike aimed at forcing Kaiser to uphold its contractual and ethical obligations to its patients. Journalists covering this issue are encouraged to review NUHW’s ten-page summary, which provides a history of the crisis, its impact on patients, and evidence of ongoing violations. Here are a few key items: In 2013, California’s Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) fined Kaiser $4 million for systemically understaffing its psychiatry department, falsifying patients’ appointment records to conceal long wait times, and providing patients with misleading information regarding the care available to them — a situation nearly identical to the scandal that engulfed the Veterans Affairs Administration last year. Rather than staff their clinics appropriately, Kaiser merely shifted resources, directing clinicians to see more first-time patients at the expense of returning patients. Healthcare workers at Kaiser facilities report that patients frequently endure waits of between four and twelve weeks for a return appointment, making effective, ongoing treatment nearly impossible. The situation is getting worse. This year, under the Affordable Care Act, Kaiser’s California enrollment has increased by a quarter million members. Staffing levels, already too low, are not keeping pace with enrollment of new patients. Withholding services while increasing membership is an effective way to score record profits but it has led to woefully inadequate care, as well as four class-action lawsuits filed by patients and families who say Kaiser’s violations contributed to tragic outcomes, including suicides. In September, Kaiser implicitly acknowledged the problems by agreeing to pay the DMHC’s $4 million fine. Also, Kaiser revealed plans to outsource Northern California mental health services to Value Options. Kaiser’s mental health clinicians believe outsourcing is necessary as a temporary, stop-gap measure while Kaiser hires enough staff to meet its patients’ needs. However, Kaiser has ignored Value Options’ dubious track record. In July 2009, New Mexico discontinued its use of Value Options because of the company’s denial of services to patients. In June 2014, California’s Department of Managed Health Care fined Value Options for “repeated deficiencies.” And in July 2014, New York’s attorney general assessed $1.2 million in penalties to Value Options and up to $31 million in restitution to patients for denial of access to mental health care. In contract bargaining in December, Kaiser’s mental health clinicians presented Kaiser with a commonsense solution: clinician–management committees in each facility that can work together to determine adequate staffing levels and outsourcing needs, with help from a neutral, outside expert if the two sides cannot agree. It’s a simple and effective solution already in place in other health care systems. But once again, Kaiser failed to act, triggering this statewide strike. “With soaring profits and a $30 billion reserve, Kaiser needs to step up and lead the way in finally making mental health care a priority in this country,” said NUHW President Sal Rosselli. “The law requires it and Kaiser’s ethical obligations as a health care provider demand it.” Local contacts and information on 35 strike locations and 65 picket lines: Monday, January 12 Northern California San Francisco Medical Center 2425 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, 94115 Media contacts Paul Shaw (415) 505-0511, pshaw877@gmail Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] Marcy Reda (510) 387-3448, marcyreda@gmail San Jose Medical Center 275 Hospital Parkway, San Jose, 95119 Media contact Steve Ode (408) 425-0123, spodeode@hotmail Santa Rosa Medical Center 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403 Media contact Justin DeFreitas (510) 701-1415, [email protected] Sacramento Medical Center 2025 Morse Ave., Sacramento, 95825 Media contact Ann Amato (916) 320-6501, [email protected] Fresno Medical Center 7300 North Fresno St., Fresno, 93720 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Modesto Medical Center 4601 Dale Road, Modesto 95356 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Southern California West Los Angeles Medical Center 6041 Cadillac Ave., West L.A., 90034 Media contact Elizabeth White (310) 391-4785, elizbwhite@msn Anaheim Medical Center 3440 East La Palma Ave., Anaheim, 92806 Media contact Ben Snyder (425) 275-8061, [email protected] Fontana Medical Center 9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana, 92335 Media contact Michael Torres (213) 254-8701, [email protected] San Diego Medical Center 4647 Zion Ave., San Diego, 92120 Media contact Jim Clifford (619) 823-2750, cliffordjim0@gmail Tuesday, January 13 Northern California San Francisco Medical Center 2425 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, 94115 Media contact Paul Shaw (415) 505-0511, pshaw877@gmail San Jose Medical Center 275 Hospital Parkway, San Jose, 95119 Media contact Steve Ode (408) 425-0123, spodeode@hotmail Santa Rosa Medical Center 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403 Media contact Justin DeFreitas (510) 701-1415, [email protected] Sacramento Medical Center 2025 Morse Ave., Sacramento, 95825 Media contact Ann Amato (916) 320-6501, [email protected] Fresno Medical Office Building 4785 North Fresno St., Fresno, 93726 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Modesto Medical Center 4601 Dale Road, Modesto 95356 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno San Leandro Medical Center 2500 Merced St., San Leandro, 94577 Media contact Ben Lim (510) 508-3569, [email protected] Richmond Medical Center 901 Nevin Ave., Richmond, 94801 Media contact Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] San Rafael Medical Center 99 Montecillo Rd., San Rafael, 94903 Media contact Mark Goldstein (415) 342-7775, mjgoldstein1@aol Vallejo Medical Center 975 Sereno Dr., Vallejo, 94589 Media contact Horace Beach (925) 817-8831, dr_hbeach@hotmail Walnut Creek Medical Center 1425 South Main St., Walnut Creek, 94596 Media contact Marcy Reda (510) 387-3448, marcyreda@gmail Southern California South Bay Medical Center 25825 Vermont Ave., Harbor City, 90710 Media contact Elizabeth White (310) 391-4785, elizbwhite@msn Kaiser CDRP/Psych Building 1539 West Garvey Ave. North, West Covina, 91790 Media contact Natalie Salinas (661) 809-4385, natie_v2001@yahoo Santa Ana Medical Office Building 1900 East 4th St., Santa Ana, 92705 Media contact Ben Snyder (425) 275-8061, [email protected] Ontario Medical Center 2295 South Vineyard Ave., Ontario, 91761 Media contact Marty Needleman (714) 926-1231 mneedleman@juno Point Loma Medical Office Building 3420 Kenyon St., San Diego, 92110 Media contact Jim Clifford (619) 823-2750, cliffordjim0@gmail Wednesday, January 14 Northern California Roseville Medical Center 1600 Eureka Rd., Roseville, 95661 Media contact Ann Amato (916) 320-6501, [email protected] Santa Rosa Medical Center 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403 Media contact Justin DeFreitas (510) 701-1415, [email protected] San Rafael Medical Center 99 Montecillo Rd., San Rafael, 94903 Media contact Mark Goldstein (415) 342-7775, mjgoldstein1@aol Antioch Medical Center 4501 San Creek Rd., Antioch, 94531 Media contact Alberto Matias (925) 348-3670, alberto.a.matias@gmail Vacaville Medical Center 1 Quality Dr., Vacaville, 95668 Media contact Horace Beach (925) 817-8831, dr_hbeach@hotmail Walnut Creek Medical Center 1425 South Main St., Walnut Creek, 94596 Media contact Marcy Reda (510) 387-3448, marcyreda@gmail San Leandro Medical Center 2500 Merced St., San Leandro, 94577 Media contact Ben Lim (510) 508-3569, [email protected] Santa Clara Medical Center 700 Lawrence Exprswy., Santa Clara, 95051 Media contact Steve Ode (408) 425-0123, spodeode@hotmail Redwood City Medical Center 1150 Veterans Blvd., Redwood City, 94063 Media contact Paul Shaw (415) 505-0511, pshaw877@gmail Modesto Medical Center 4601 Dale Road, Modesto 95356 Fresno Medical Office Building 4785 North Fresno St., Fresno, 93726 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Southern California Downey Medical Center 9333 Imperial Highway, Downey, 90242 Media contact Elizabeth White (310) 391-4785, elizbwhite@msn Euclid Medical Office Building 1188 North Euclid St., Anaheim, 92801 Media contact Ben Snyder (425) 275-8061, [email protected] Corona Medical Office Building 2055 Kellogg Ave., Corona, 92879 Media contact Michael Torres (213) 254-8701, [email protected] Point Loma Medical Office Building 3420 Kenyon St., San Diego, 92110 Media contact Jim Clifford (619) 823-2750, cliffordjim0@gmail Thursday, January 15 Northern California South Sacramento Medical Center 6600 Bruceville Rd., Sacramento, 95823 Media contact Ann Amato (916) 320-6501, [email protected] Santa Rosa Medical Center 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403 Media contact Justin DeFreitas (510) 701-1415, [email protected] San Rafael Medical Center 99 Montecillo Rd., San Rafael, 94903 Media contact Mark Goldstein (415) 342-7775, mjgoldstein1@aol Vallejo Medical Center 975 Sereno Dr., Vallejo, 94589 Media contact Horace Beach (925) 817-8831, dr_hbeach@hotmail Walnut Creek Medical Center 1425 South Main St., Walnut Creek, 94596 Media contact Marcy Reda (510) 387-3448, marcyreda@gmail Oakland Medical Center 280 West MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, 94611 Media contact Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] San Leandro Medical Center 2500 Merced St., San Leandro, 94577 Media contact Ben Lim (510) 508-3569, [email protected] South San Francisco Medical Center 1200 El Camino Real, South S.F., 94080 Media contact Elizabeth Ehrenberg (415) 828-4563, eliz.ehren@gmail Santa Clara Medical Center 700 Lawrence Exprswy., Santa Clara, 95051 Media contact Steve Ode (408) 425-0123, spodeode@hotmail Stockton Medical Office Building 7373 West Lane, Stockton, 95203 Media contact Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] Fresno Medical Office Building 4785 North Fresno St., Fresno, 93726 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Southern California Woodland Hills Medical Center 5601 De Soto Ave., Woodland Hills, 91367 Media contact Elizabeth White (310) 391-4785, elizbwhite@msn Irvine Medical Center 6650 Alton Parkway, Irvine, 92618 Media contact Ben Snyder (425) 275-8061, [email protected] Fontana Medical Center 9961 Sierra Ave., Fontana, 92335 Media contact Michael Torres (213) 254-8701, [email protected] Point Loma Medical Office Building 3420 Kenyon St., San Diego, 92110 Media contact Jim Clifford (619) 823-2750, cliffordjim0@gmail Friday, January 16 Northern California South Sacramento Medical Center 6600 Bruceville Rd., Sacramento, 95823 Media contact Ann Amato (916) 320-6501, [email protected] Santa Rosa Medical Center 401 Bicentennial Way, Santa Rosa, 95403 Media contact Justin DeFreitas (510) 701-1415, [email protected] Oakland Medical Center 280 West MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, 94611 Media contact Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] Marcy Reda (510) 387-3448, marcyreda@gmail Santa Clara Medical Center 700 Lawrence Exprswy., Santa Clara, 95051 Media contact Steve Ode (408) 425-0123, spodeode@hotmail Stockton Medical Office Building 7373 West Lane, Stockton, 95203 Media contact Clement Papazian (510) 579-5708, [email protected] Fresno Medical Center 7300 North Fresno St., Fresno, 93720 Media contact Kim Hollingsworth (559) 213-9719, hplus12@juno Southern California Baldwin Park Medical Center 1011 Baldwin Park Blvd., Baldwin Park, 91706 Media contact Elizabeth White (310) 391-4785, elizbwhite@msn Irvine Medical Center 6650 Alton Parkway, Irvine, 92618 Media contact Ben Snyder (425) 275-8061, [email protected] Riverside Medical Center 10800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, 92505 Media contact Marty Needleman (714) 926-1231 mneedleman@juno San Diego Medical Center 4647 Zion Ave., San Diego, 92120 Media contact Jim Clifford (619) 823-2750, cliffordjim0@gmail -=-=- National Union of Healthcare Workers • 5801 Christie Ave, Suite 525, Emeryville, CA 94608, United States This email was sent to [email protected]. To stop receiving emails, click here. -=-=-
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 15:53:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015