A week long walk out by Kaiser Mental Health workers is under way. More than 2,600 psychiatrists, therapists, social workers, and other are striking to demand better access to mental health services for their patients.
This strike is not the first time mental health patient treatment has been an issue for Kaiser. Back in 2013, the California Department of Managed Health Care mandated that Kaiser pay an imposed $4 million fine for understaffing its mental health department. That understaffing lead to unacceptable wait times for mental health patients and many fear that has not yet been remedied.
The Kaiser mental health professionals that are on week long strike claim that Kaiser only tried to find loopholes, not solutions, to that 2013 legal problem. Kaiser allegedly diverted resources to allow easy access to first-time mental health patients but then left the department understaffed. The diversion of resources means that follow-up and additional appointments could take weeks to months to come to fruition. If you or a loved one are injured or damaged by these delays, please call the medical malpractice lawyers with the Mitchell Leeds, LLP at 415-702-9928.
