Kaiser hospital patients still face long waits for mental healthcare

Published: Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 10:05 am

Kaiser Permanente patients continue to experience significant delays in accessing mental healthcare, according to the union representing mental health therapists. More than three years after a lengthy strike over understaffing and inadequate compensation, these issues persist as new contract negotiations are underway.

A recent survey conducted by the National Union of Healthcare Workers (NUHW) found that a majority of Kaiser therapists are struggling to provide timely and appropriate care. Patients seeking help for conditions like depression or grief are reportedly waiting over a month for their initial appointment and another month for subsequent sessions. Therapists are reportedly working extra hours to compensate, but feel the system is failing patients.

Kaiser Permanente acknowledges the growing demand for mental health services since the pandemic and states it is investing in expanding its clinician workforce and community provider network to address these needs. However, the union argues these efforts are insufficient. They highlight a stark disparity in staffing levels, with Hawaii having approximately one mental health clinician for every 5,500 members, compared to one for every 1,916 members in northern California.

The NUHW survey, which received responses from nearly 80% of Kaiser's behavioral health professionals on Oahu, Maui, and Hawaii Island, revealed critical concerns. Eighty-five percent of therapists reported that their next available return appointment is at least 21 business days away, a timeline that falls short of clinical standards typically requiring sessions every two weeks. Furthermore, 96% of respondents work beyond their regular hours weekly to manage their workload, and 84% believe their departments are understaffed for providing adequate care. Low morale is also a significant issue, with 62% considering leaving Kaiser due to working conditions.

Negotiations for a new contract covering about 50 mental health workers in Hawaii began in November. The union claims Kaiser is offering lower raises than those given to other workers and is delaying the process. Kaiser states it is engaged in good-faith bargaining. Therapists express frustration that the same problems that led to the 2022 strike, including staff shortages and long wait times, remain unresolved. They emphasize that recruitment and retention, supported by competitive wages, are crucial for improving patient care.

BNN's Perspective: The persistent challenges in mental healthcare access at Kaiser Permanente, as highlighted by the NUHW survey, underscore a critical need for improved staffing and resource allocation. While increased demand is a factor, the reported disparities in clinician-to-member ratios and the impact on patient care suggest that current efforts to address understaffing may not be meeting the urgency of the situation. A balanced approach that prioritizes both patient well-being and therapist working conditions is essential for fostering a sustainable and effective mental healthcare system.

Tags: Kaiser Permanente, mental healthcare, long waits, therapists, union, National Union of Healthcare Workers, understaffing, contract negotiations, patient care, Hawaii, survey, appointment delays, clinical standards, burnout, morale, staffing levels, behavioral health, mental health professionals

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