If close to 21,000 Kaiser Permanente nurses and other health professionals strike as promised on Monday the fallout will be far-reaching. By some measures, it would be the nation’s largest strike this year.
In response, Kaiser last week shared plans to hire temporary workers, transfer patients to other area hospitals, and discharge other patients to SNFs and other facilities. Kaiser requested that other Southern California hospitals and systems waive formal prior-authorization requirements “in favor of a more efficient global authorization process for inpatient transfers.”
Area hospitals were also told to expect elevated emergency admissions of Kaiser patients. A Kaiser memo dated Nov. 5 to Southern California hospitals includes additional guidelines and contact information for procedures during the labor action.
If the action goes forward, it would be the first by United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals targeting Kaiser since 1980.
Union members authorized a strike in 1995 but settled the contract before walking out.
With questions, please contact HASC Vice President, External Affairs and Strategic Communications Adam Blackstone.