NUHW to take part in mental health forum in Santa Rosa

KaiserSeptember 23, 2014

NUHW members will participate in a forum on mental health parity Wednesday, September 23, in Santa Rosa. NUHW Research Director Fred Seavey will speak on behalf of NUHW and members will distribute copies of “Care Delayed, Care Denied,” the union’s report on Kaiser Permanente’s violations of state laws governing mental health care.

The forum, hosted by Sonoma County Supervisor Shirlee Zane and Congressman Mike Thompson, will include a panel portion with state and local behavioral health officials, and a listening session where local residents will have the opportunity to tell their stories. The panel portion will include state Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, along with representatives from the federal Department of Health and Human Services, the state Department of Managed Health Care, and the state Department of Health Services. Former NUHW member and Kaiser therapists Andy Weisskoff, whose blog helped draw attention to Kaiser’s failing mental health care services, intends to participate as well.

6–8 p.m. Wednesday, September 24, at the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors Chambers, 575 Administration Drive, Room 102A, Santa Rosa, Calif.

Read the Santa Rosa Press Democrat’s story here.