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Our Kaiser Mental Health Strike generated lots of coverage, including from NPR, the Associated Press and The Guardian, which focused on Kaiser’s use of A.I. algorithms to replace the work of therapists. IndyBay, KTAR, ABC10, KQED, KTVU, SFGATE, US News & World Report, Local News Matter, Sacramento Bee, The Mercury News, Marin Independent Journal, Sacramento Business Journal, KRON, The Press Democrat, Capital and Main, and NPR covered the action.
The National Labor Relations Board issued a decision and order against USC Care Medical Group finding that the employer violated the National Labor Relations Act by refusing to bargain with NUHW following the union’s certification as the exclusive bargaining representative of medical assistants, licensed vocational nurses, and radiology technologists at the Engemann Student Health Center who voted to join NUHW in April 2024. According to NLRB Edge, the Board ordered the employer to cease and desist from the refusal to bargain, to bargain on request with NUHW, and to post the required notice.
Behavioral Health Business reported that NUHW has filed charges against Rogers Behavioral Health with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), alleging retaliation and intimidation after the behavioral health nonprofit fired three clinicians who along with their coworkers expressed their intent to join NUHW. NUHW is demanding that the company reinstate the fired workers.
Fairfield, Calif.-based NorthBay Health has signed a letter of intent to acquire Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center in Napa, where NUHW represents hundreds of workers. NorthBay Health currently operates two hospitals — NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield, and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville. The Press Democrat reported that acquiring the 198-bed hospital in Napa County would expand their hospital system to three. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026, pending a definitive agreement and regulatory approvals.
After meeting most of her performance goals set last year, the San Benito Health Care District Board of Directors may update the incentive package for Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital CEO Mary Casillas, who for 2025 qualified for a 8 percent bonus in November. BenitoLink reported the criteria in the incentive plan includes increases in the hospital’s net income, doctor recruitment, patient satisfaction and average daily census at its skilled nursing facilities. The new package makes Casillas eligible for up to a 10 percent bonus based on her salary of $477,000.
California’s proposed nurse-to-patient ratio regulations for psychiatric hospitals were delayed from their initial January 31 implementation date following pushback from the public and hospitals. The state now expects to adopt staffing regulations by June 1, with permanent regulations expected by July 31, 2027. Becker’s Hospital Review reported that the proposed emergency regulations would require psychiatric hospitals to staff one licensed nurse for every six adult patients and one licensed nurse for every five adolescent patients. At least 50 percent of nurses counted toward staffing ratios must be registered and be awake and on duty in the hospital. In a letter to state officials, the California Hospital Association said complying with these regulations could cost more than $145.2 million statewide.
Sutter Health and Minneapolis-based Allina Health have signed a letter of intent for Allina to join the health system, creating a combined nonprofit organization spanning California, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Becker’s Hospital Review reported the organizations plan to invest more than $2 billion in Minnesota and western Wisconsin to grow ambulatory care, expand specialty services and support digital and AI-enabled tools. Under the proposed transaction, Allina Health would become Sutter Health’s Upper Midwest Division. Sutter Health would maintain its headquarters in Northern California.
