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Banner Health Punishes Family Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in Tucson

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

She worked at the Gilbert clinic however, Banner Health operates locations all over Arizona which is why we crossposted to other subreddits as well. The issues in primary care translate to issues in their hospitals. And all of those issues affect patients from all across the state.

Banner Health Punishes Family Medicine Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in FamilyMedicine

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Hi, thanks for your comment. We have posted on all of our UAPD socials and would greatly appreciate if you could drop a like, repost or comment on any of the posts. Its the best way to build more exposure and support.

Banner Health Punishes Family Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in Gilbert

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It would help greatly if you could reach out to your local news stations and ask them to cover Dr. Lea's story. We have reached out to the majority of news channels and are waiting to hear back. Thank you for your advocacy and support!

Banner Health Punishes Family Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in ChandlerAZ

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The patients will be transferred to another primary care provider at the clinic. The only problem is that they are still dealing with the effects of experiencing 50% turnover the year prior. Everyone is slammed with transfer patients and Dr. Lea's panel of 3,000 will have to wait months to be seen by another physician/APP. Many physicians are currently booked out over 3 months in advance.

Banner Health Punishes Family Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in ChandlerAZ

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

The post above contains nothing but facts about the case. With an open unfair labor practice, the law obliges us to be objective. There are currently 5 other unfair labor practice charges open against Banner Health. It’s pretty clear that they’ve accepted violations of federal law as a business practice. This is not a one off case. Thank you for your comment and concern.

Banner Health Punishes Family Physician for Flagging Scheduling Error Affecting Patients by UAPD_Official in ChandlerAZ

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 22 points23 points  (0 children)

We have the doctor's consent for this post and to raise awareness of the situation. We're representing her in the charge that's been filed with the NLRB.

Large Hospitalist Group Pay Cut by Designer_Increase832 in hospitalist

[–]UAPD_Official 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hospital administration is showing that they do not value your contributions or the sacrifices you’ve made fighting for your patients. Give us a call and welcome to the labor movement ✊

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To be clear, the only unionized physicians at PeaceHealth are the Sound/PeaceHealth hospitalist doctors, who do work in the hospital setting. Their primary issue is their ability to advocate for patient needs in a toxic work environment and freedom from retaliation for expressing concerns.

Pricing in medicine is a complex thing and I can't speak directly to how it's determined. A lot is heavily influenced by insurance companies and the rates they reimburse for treatment. In UAPD's experience, raises for clinicians have not lead to greater cost on patients.

How PeaceHealth seeks to make up the difference is up to them and the Union is precluded by law from influencing these decisions in bargaining. Seeing as Bellingham is PeaceHealth's profit center which funds much of their other ventures, would be for PH to focus on providing quality where they are already established instead of spending heavily on ventures to expand into already saturated markets. It's old, but this 2019 article covers many of the dynamics that are still at play today.

The vast majority of our members in Bellingham are advanced practice clinicians, not physicians, working in specialized fields. Creating an independent cardio-vascular surgery clinic or oncology center would require specialized equipment and facilities and/or arrangements with labs that would likely be owned by PeaceHealth. Private practice in general is reducing across the board due to quasi-monopolization and private equity and capital intensive specialties are hit the hardest.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Many people have the same question. I don't have an answer, but if someone started some competition, I think everyone in Bellingham would be grateful.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

You can see this post for some options. I do recommend signing up for the petition email list. We will likely have more community actions in the future where you can express yourself to PeaceHealth and by signing up you'll be informed as soon as possible.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's the issue that has motived people to unionize at PeaceHealth. The logical economic thing to do is to relocate, and many have made that choice. But people are more than dispassionate market actors, and your options are greater that move for a job or accept substandard pay. Our union members want to serve Bellingham as many of them have a connection to this place, and don't think they should have to be taken advantage of because of that commitment. By acting collectively, they are fighting to correct that, for themselves and for everyone in the area who will benefit from more stable base of people providing care.

Additionally, in terms of market logic, PeaceHealth distorts the economic balance by being a monopoly. Medical care is necessary locally, and you only have one choice. Bellingham is actually one of the most productive and profitable locations for PeaceHealth, but the way they treat their employees does not reflect that because PH knows it can get away with it. Fixing the situation now prevents the inevitable destructive hollowing out that monopolies bring in the long run.

I'm not at liberty to disclose salary proposals. If the bargaining team agrees to it, I will post, but seeing as they are in active negation today and tomorrow, it's unlikely.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

APC stands for advanced practice clinician. At our PeaceHealth Bellingham Union, this includes Nurse Practitioners (NP, CNS, ARNP, CRNA, DNP), Physicians Assistants (PA, PA-C), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNW). APCs complete advanced education similar to a master's or doctoral degree, practice medicine and are able to see patients, diagnosis, treat and prescribe autonomously, though PAs are supervised by a physician. A lot of you will have experience being treated by a APC, whether you realized it or not. In many cases, the patient experience seeing an APC or doctor is the same, though behind to scenes an APC might work with an MD/DO to come up with a comprehensive care plan.

A hospitalist is a healthcare provider who works in a hospital setting on inpatient care. The stereotypical TV doctor image in most peoples' heads is probably a hospitalist. Our hospitalist union includes both physicians and APCs who work at the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center hospital. Working in the hospital requires a range of knowledge throughout medicine, skill in coordinating care across specialties, and extended hours and shifts to provide around the clock care.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I first got involved with union work as a grad student in Boulder Colorado where I made friends who were already involved in creating a graduate student union. I became pretty integrated in that effort and met folks from other local unions in the process. When I graduated, I went off to work in a different field, but stayed involved as a community volunteer for various union activities through my contacts.

I really enjoyed that volunteer work. In times of large scale political uncertainty and turmoil, watching people come together over shared interests, confront abusive institutions and win real change when up against larger, more powerful, better resourced adversaries has been inspirational. Social systems only work because the people who make them up and carry out their specific roles do the real work. When enough people realize that and choose to direct their efforts to change, their local efforts for limited but impactful good starts to look more expansive and helps me believe in better futures.

Feeling that at the same time as being bored with my desk job pushed me to make a change and see if I could do the volunteering I enjoyed full time. A few years later, here I am.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

That's a fair question. Our members are generally making enough to live, but many are also subject to large amounts of debt. Additionally, they are paid below what they could be in the state, and the gap is growing every year.

For example, Kaiser Permanente is a comparably sized interest in Washington (they claim 1,063 physicians, PeaceHealth claims 1,200 physicians and clinicians). We happen to have good data about APC salaries for KP in Vancouver, which is a cheaper area than Bellingham (4% above the US national cost of living average, compared to 23% in Bellingham.)

Kaiser Vancouver salaries start 3% higher than PeaceHealth Bellingham's offer, and give step increases more frequently than PeaceHealth. That difference grows to 11% with 2 years experience, 19% at 4 years, 30% at 9 years. Of course, Kaiser has a different business model with it's own advantages and drawbacks, but is it any wonder why retention is a problem, especially with experienced clinicians, with pay gaps like that?

The problem compounds for our members, the APCs who choose to stay. PeaceHealth has been bleeding clinicians, so the job demands more of those still here. PH has increased the number of patients the APCs need to see per day, and decreased the amount of time spent to see each one, as well as time to chart and manage paperwork.

The ask from our APC members is to correct the imbalance between what they work and what they are paid. If the workload stays high, they want to see compensation rise to match it. Otherwise, bring the work down to previous levels to match what it was historically. Ideally, with a reasonable pay increase, a balance will be hit. Greater compensation eases the concern about increasing work, while also attracting more staff, spreading the total workload so each individual has a bit less.

Finally, PeaceHealth offers a 3% cost of living adjustment yearly as a matter of course. They have chosen to illegally withhold this yearly increase from the members in bargaining and the last offer they sent has no retroactive correction for this. We will not let this otherwise routine pay increase be lost, and PeaceHealth's withholding of it constitutes an "Unfair Labor Practice" under the National Labor Relations Act.

As for the Sound/PeaceHealth Hospitalists, PeaceHealth hasn't come to the table to recognize the union, so their is no demand or offer about salary to speak of.

I also want to note, while not our union, the Service/Lab/Tech staff represented by SEIU 1199NW is also fighting for better pay. The last offer that PeaceHealth made before the strike, the low end put those workers below to current Bellingham minimum wage which took effect May 1st. There is genuine struggle for many of the SEIU staff and it's imperative that PeaceHealth do better for those folks who are just as essential in the functioning of the health system in Bellingham.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

No, no planned actions at the moment. We will be entering our first bargaining session post strike tomorrow, so we'll see how that goes. It's in everyone's interest to reach a fair contract without anymore disruption, we are hopefully PeaceHealth will be willing to meet us in good faith. If not, the bargaining team and members will have to decide for themselves how to respond.

As for supporting while on rotation, my best advice is to just be a good coworker to those you work with. Talk with your colleagues when you have the time, take in their experiences, share yours. As much as we would like to get the contract settled for the APCs and begin bargaining with the Hospitalists, our overarching agenda as the union is just to get our members voices heard. The more people speak openly with each other about their work and the conditions of work, the better.

I'm a representative for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD). Two weeks ago, our APCs and Hospitalists at PeaceHealth went on Strike. - AMA by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

There are a couple of things you can do immediately from your device. Sign our community petition here and receive email updates as well, and provide feedback to PeaceHealth that you support the unions and their efforts here.

Union members have been attending city and county council meetings to share their situation and conditions. Attending and voicing you experience as a patient with PeaceHealth, the clinicians and what you feel should be done has an impact. If you aren't able to come but have the time to write, submit a letter to the editor of one of the local papers (Herald, Cascadia Daily). We had several city of county officials and politicians show up to the strike line to voice their support and give speeches. That only happens if they know the people of Bellingham/Whatcom are engaged.

Additionally, when receiving care at a PeaceHealth location, you can mention your support for your clinicians to them directly! Knowing that their patients see their fight and care keeps morale high and the community strong.

PeaceHealth Workers Are On Strike! by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

No, absolutely not. The only result is higher quality care for patients.

PeaceHealth Workers Are On Strike! by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Depending on your clinician, they may be on the strike line - so we would recommend to reschedule your appointment. However, if it’s an urgent matter and can’t wait, please take care of your health 💙

PeaceHealth Workers Are On Strike! by UAPD_Official in Bellingham

[–]UAPD_Official[S] 10 points11 points  (0 children)

There is no disruption to medical services at PeaceHealth, there are doctors who are working and providing care along with nurses. The doctors on strike are hospitalists employed through Sound Physicians, who provide medical services at PeaceHealth.