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NUHW member and Kaiser Permanente therapist, Ilana Marcucci-Morris, was quoted in an Imperial Valley Press article about the California Senate’s approval of SB 903, a bill that would begin the work of regulating artificial intelligence in mental health settigs. Co-sponsored by NUHW, the measure would ensure that a licensed clinician retains ultimate oversight and veto power over any AI-generated clinical suggestions.
Sutter Health and Minneapolis-based Allina Health have signed a definitive agreement formalizing plans to create a combined nonprofit health system spanning California, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Becker’s Hospital Review reported the transaction would create a system with 39 hospitals and more than 400 care sites serving more than 5 million patients. Based on 2025 revenues, the combined organization would generate about $26 billion. The organizations plan to invest more than $2 billion in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin to expand ambulatory care, grow specialty institutes and support digital and AI-enabled tools.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WisBusiness, WisPolitics and Becker’s Behavioral Health reported the recent vote by workers at Rogers Behavioral Health facilities in West Allis and Madison, Wisconsin to join NUHW despite a fierce anti-union campaign by the company. The article notes that the elections proceeded after the National Labor Relations Board rejected Rogers’ argument that its 13 Wisconsin facilities should be treated as a single bargaining unit rather than separate, clinic-based units, later appealing the ruling and filing a federal lawsuit seeking (unsuccessfully) to block the elections while the appeal was pending. It also reports on the company’s firing of six workers during the organizing effort, including three workers immediately after the union vote.
The recent Kaiser mental health strike was covered by Washington Monthly, which highlighted NUHW’s complaint over Kaiser using telephone service representatives and artificial intelligence triage patients in violation of state law. American Community Media and Proof also published stories about Kaiser’s growing use of A.I. in its mental health services.
According to The Hill, about nine in 10 voters said the issue of health costs will influence their decision to vote and who to vote for in the 2026 midterm elections, with majorities saying it will have a “major impact” on both areas. While majorities of voters across parties said health care costs will impact their vote in November, the issue was more pressing for Democrats and independent voters. Overall, voters did not give very high marks to the Trump administration.
Rovex, a tech firm founded by an ER physician, has developed Rovi, a device that can transport stretchers. WUSF reported that Rovi is expected to launch in a hospital setting later this year. It will move empty stretchers to start. The company’s goal is to transport patients autonomously once U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval is granted.
