Kaiser Workers Say Patients Deserve Better Mental Health Care After $31M Settlement | KQED

"Critics for years have alleged that Kaiser has not maintained adequate provider networks for mental health and substance use disorder care, forcing many patients to pay for health care services out of pocket. Mental health care workers said they first took their concerns to Kaiser management, where they were not addressed, then brought them to the attention of the federal labor agency."

"In the midst of a national mental health crisis, finding a therapist, especially one who accepts insurance, has become notoriously difficult as the field struggles with workforce shortages and low reimbursement rates. Kaiser has grappled with these industry-wide challenges for over a decade. California regulators have repeatedly cited the company for making patients wait too long for mental health appointments, ordering Kaiser to address persistent issues."

"The National Union of Healthcare Workers, which represents Kaiser Permanente's 4,800 mental health professionals in California and Hawaii, said Friday that the health care giant's proposals in ongoing contract negotiations indicate that patients hoping for shorter wait times and greater access to therapists may expect business as usual. "A lot of our therapists still can't see patients for weeks at a time," said Matthew Artz, a union spokesperson."

Kaiser faces allegations of inadequate mental health and substance use disorder provider networks that forced many patients to pay out of pocket. Mental health workers escalated concerns from management to a federal labor agency after internal complaints were not addressed. Kaiser attributed inconsistent access to pandemic-driven surges in demand over the past six years and stated it will reimburse members who could not obtain timely care. Workforce shortages and low reimbursement rates have made finding in-network therapists difficult. California regulators have cited Kaiser for excessive wait times, and the union says contract proposals signal continued access and referral constraints.

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