Re: Kaiser’s Mental Health Clinicians Authorize Statewide Strike

(posted May 23, 2019)

As a former holder of several California and national offices, a practitioner with over 50 years of experience, an administrator responsible for building and overseeing large provider networks for three mental health organizations, and as co-founder of the first mental labor union with the staff of Alameda County Mental Health, I believe the article presents a one-sided perspective. 

First, starting salaries for social workers at Kaiser are approximately twice that of supervisory staff in most public and private agencies. (See, for example, advertisements in the same issue for supervisors).  Secondly, if Kaiser were to hire enough staff to meet the demand for mental health services, they would need thousands of clinicians—an impossible reality. It is undoubtedly true that some additional staff should be hired for specific functions. And, the current Oakland facilities are small and outdated if attractive. Rumor has it that a downtown building may be purchased.

Instead, they have contracted with two insurers whose only business in behavioral health with large panels of screened clinicians. Granted, that there is no direct supervision of those services. Nonetheless, members are able to access care with screened, licensed contractors.

Paul Saxton, Ph.D., LCSW

Diplomate in Clinical Social Work

Staff

Recent Posts

Policy Chat with Bindu! 7/18 Recap

This session focused on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which became law on July…

4 days ago

Policy Chat with Bindu!

Welcome to your one-stop space for staying connected to NASW-CA’s advocacy work.Each month, Policy Chat…

2 weeks ago

2025-2026 Region E Updates

Welcome to Region E – San Diego, where we are proud to serve one of…

2 weeks ago

Rooted Together Resources

This page is a living collection of resources shared during our weekly support groups held…

2 weeks ago

2025 Lobby Day – Day 1

Legislative Learning Day | April 27, 2025Our Lobby Days kicked off with a powerful day…

3 months ago

2025 LOBBY DAY – DAY 2

Lobby Day Rally | April 28, 2025On April 28, social workers, students, and advocates united…

3 months ago