March 2024 PULSE
In March, NUHW members struck Seton Medical Center over cuts to their health benefits, forced the San Benito Hospital District to restore their retirement, paid time off and health benefits, advocated for the reopening of a Providence hospital birthing center in Petaluma, and secured more public support against Kaiser Permanente cutting patient care time in Southern California.
You can read all the stories below, including a profile of NUHW steward Salote Lutui and our latest investigation into Kaiser’s violation of state mental health laws. You can also find NUHW on social media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.
Seton workers strike to restore quality health insurance
In violation of their contract, the hospital changed its health plan forcing workers to pay up to $6,000 a year to keep access to their doctors and accept a plan with few participating doctors or hospitals. Read more / Lee más
Los Angeles Board of Supervisors passes resolution in support of Kaiser therapists
The bills, authored by Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, would help state regulators hold accountable health plans that violate parity laws and help patients successfully advocate for their right to treatment. In a unanimous vote, the board expressed its opposition to Kaiser’s decision to reduce the amount of time therapists have to perform critical patient care duties. Read more/ Lee más
Big legal victory for workers at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital
The San Benito Healthcare District had used a bankruptcy filing to cut benefits for workers at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, but an NUHW legal challenge succeeded in restoring benefits. Read more / Lee más
NUHW investigation uncovers new Kaiser mental health violations
Kaiser is instructing an external provider to perform medical necessity determinations that it’s not licensed to conduct without informing patients that the reviews are taking place. Read more / Lee más
Q&A with Sandra Leal-Lopez
Sandra Leal-Lopez and her colleagues in Panorama City have been creative in fighting back against Kaiser’s cut to Patient Management Time and they’re gearing up to demand more from Kaiser in contract negotiations. Read more / Lee más
Members take fight to Providence
In March, workers fought to restore birthing services at a Providence hospital in Petaluma, while Providence workers throughout the region prepared to bargain a single contract. Read more / Lee más
Member profile: Salote Lutui
The mental health specialist at Richmond Area Multi-Services wants to be a voice for her colleagues and her community as an NUHW steward. Read more / Lee más
NUHW education and training resources
NUHW offers trainings and resources to empower member leaders with to protect and enforce their rights in the workplace. Learn more / Lee más
News of the Month
Read our roundup of the latest labor and healthcare news from top media outlets. Read more / Lee más