8legs: National union of health care workers

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‘Thank God they’re still alive’: Kaiser therapists claim its new screening system puts patients at higher risk by delaying their care

A one-day strike by Kaiser Northern California mental health workers protested new screening processes that involve clerical staff and scripted questions before seeing a licensed clinician.
Therapists say the new system delays care for high-risk patients while faster appointments are given to lower-risk cases, worsening access to urgent services.
NUHW says the screening uses an algorithm to generate triage guidance, potentially violating state law, a claim Kaiser denies.
Kaiser counters that AI and clerical staff do not conduct clinical assessments and that clinicians remain responsible for triage decisions.
The dispute follows a history of external scrutiny and settlements related to delays in Kaiser’s mental health services, including 2023 and 2024 actions.
Staff worry about AI tools replacing licensed therapists, even as Kaiser says it is expanding its workforce where needed.
NUHW cites internal surveys showing many workers fear AI or new technologies could affect care and jobs, with concerns about data retention and transparency.
Healthcare workers assert that triage requires licensed professionals to evaluate danger and safety plans, not just scripted questions.
Kaiser reports it provides non-urgent mental health appointments faster than state requirements, despite patient care concerns.
The strike highlights broader debates about AI in healthcare and the balance between efficiency and personal care in Kaiser’s system.

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