Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest not-for-profit medical systems in the United States, has implemented contingency plans to ensure the provision of safe and high-quality care for its 12.7 million members and patients as a strike begins. This strike is the largest in American history, with over 75,000 workers at various locations participating, representing 40% of Kaiser’s staff. The strike began on Wednesday and is scheduled to continue until Saturday, with the possibility of an extended strike in November. However, the health-care system will still have approximately 60% of its staff working during the strike.
Although the strike has minimal impact on patients in some states such as Georgia, Hawaii, and Washington, patients in Colorado, Oregon, and California are likely to experience more significant effects. The striking workers include essential individuals who provide patient care, such as EMTs, nurses, respiratory therapists, and support staff. Despite the strike, Kaiser Permanente assures that its hospitals and emergency departments will remain open, staffed by physicians, managers, and staff. The health system has also developed continuity plans and may utilize non-represented, management staff, and contingency workers to ensure the provision of necessary care.
John August, director of health care labor relations at Cornell University, emphasizes that working with reduced staff is highly disruptive, despite the presence of managers and doctors. Kaiser Permanente recognizes the staffing shortages that have arisen from the COVID-19 pandemic and has been actively hiring additional workers. The system is on track to meet its goal of hiring 10,000 more workers by the end of the year. Studies examining the impact of strikes on patient care have yielded mixed results, with some indicating minimal effects on patient outcomes. However, the strike highlights the ongoing negotiations between workers and the health system, with inadequate staffing being one of the key concerns.
Overall, Kaiser Permanente is striving to provide uninterrupted care for its patients during the strike. It has developed plans to ensure alternative staffing arrangements, potentially expanding its network to include non-Kaiser Permanente hospitals and retail pharmacies. The impact of the strike on patient care remains to be seen, but Kaiser Permanente is committed to addressing the concerns of its workers while safeguarding the well-being of its members and patients.
