Kaiser Permanente's Mental Health Crisis: A Call to Action

Kaiser Permanente's Mental Health Crisis: A Call to Action

March 27, 2025

BOOM! The strike at Kaiser Permanente's Pasadena regional headquarters was a powerful display of solidarity and determination. About 125 people, including patients, elected officials, and community allies, gathered to demand justice. The strikers, trained in civil disobedience, found an open backdoor and walked right past security guards into the building. Once inside, they demanded to see Kaiser executive Michelle Gaskill-Hames, who didn't come down. One striker pressed the announcement button, saying, "I’m here to deliver lunch. I have an order of social justice." Eventually, Kaiser sent down an HR representative, and the group left after the police arrived.

OUTRAGEOUS! Earlier this week, the California Department of Managed Health Care issued an 88-page report revealing that Kaiser still hasn't fixed long-standing deficiencies in its mental health services. State investigators found that Kaiser has failed to remedy 19 of the 20 violations found in a 2022 "non-routine survey," one of two separate investigations that led to the $200 million Settlement Agreement in 2023.

DON'T MISS OUT! The report highlights some serious findings, including:

- Failing to ensure that non-urgent mental health or substance use disorder appointments are offered within 10 days after the initial request.

- Failing to promptly reschedule appointments in a manner appropriate for the enrollee’s health care needs.

- Failing to ensure that patients are offered urgent care appointments within 48 hours.

SHOCKING! Investigators reviewed a random sample of patient records in Southern California and determined that more than 85 percent of the cases “failed to demonstrate intake appointments were offered within 10 business days of the initial request for health care services.” One enrollee waited 13 business days for an intake assessment, while another waited 78 business days for an intake appointment after requesting treatment for worsening symptoms of anxiety disorder and panic disorder.

THIS IS A NO-BRAINER! This report demonstrates how dishonest Kaiser executives are when they claim Kaiser is meeting the needs of patients during the strike. State investigators show that Kaiser was violating the rights of patients seeking behavioral health care for years, including right up to the beginning of the strike.

STAY TUNED! We will be sharing the report with elected and community allies this week. The picket line photos speak volumes about the determination and unity of the strikers. See the gallery of photos below, and see more on NUHW’s social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok.

BOO-YAH! The strike at Kaiser Permanente is a wake-up call for the company and the entire healthcare industry. It's time for Kaiser to take responsibility and make the necessary changes to provide adequate mental health care for its patients. The strikers are fighting for a better future, and their determination is inspiring. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.