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Layoffs loom over registered nurses
Kaiser plans to use staff with less skill to fill some positions targeted for cuts as a part of its "redesign" [V]
By Kristen Consillio
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jan 28, 2013
Kaiser Permanente Hawaii plans to eliminate nearly one-quarter of its clinic registered nurses, replacing some of them with lower-skilled licensed practical nurses and medical assistants.
The state's largest health maintenance organization is proposing to cut at least 47 registered nurses in primary care positions at some of its 18 clinics statewide as part of an extensive "redesign," Kaiser said this month in a memo obtained by the Star-Advertiser.
http://www.staradvertiser.com/s?action=login&f=y&id=188633621
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I feel bad for those who are losing their jobs, but at least they are in one of the highest demand professions in the world today, so I hope their unemployment period will be short. It's possible that Kaiser is doing the right thing here and it's possible that these positions don't really need the specialized background of an RN, but I'll leave it up to someone closer to the situation to speak to it.
Me ka ha`aha`a,
Mike
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We'd all be better off if huge corporations like kaiser collapsed completely and we went back to the mom and pops system - or in this case - house calls ?
Never underestimate the power of the dark side.
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Funny how rates keep going up while they slash their costs. Keep in mind that cost-cutting doesn't necessarily lead to poor quality. If done right, it's simply a matter of using the appropriate resources for the appropriate task, for example not using a sledgehammer to drive a tack. Not saying that's what's happening with Kaiser (I kind of doubt it actually), just acknowledging that it's possible.
On a related note, wonder what's going to happen to insurance companies when no one can afford them anymore. Will health insurance only be for the rich someday? Keeping it Puna, anyone know what percentage of the Big Island population has health insurance? It's got to be low, especially in Puna.
Tim
A superior man is modest in his speech, but exceeds in his actions--Confucius
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I bet the ratio for punaweb members with health insurance vs. big islanders in general is very skewed. In favor of punaweb members having health insurance with greater frequency than any given big islander
Never underestimate the power of the dark side.
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I don't have to worry about that, I married an RN. She may not be free, but she sure is convenient!
Puna: Our roosters crow first
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We're already there: I'm uninsured because I don't have an extra $900/mo for HMSA.
What do I get for that $900? Limitations, exclusions, a co-pay, and maybe even a doctor's appointment.
Under Obamacare, I'll be paying the "penalty" because it's cheaper than insurance.
I often wonder where that money goes, because I don't see a corresponding increase in the price of medical supplies, the facilities aren't well-maintained, and I'm pretty sure the doctor isn't getting a raise. Obviously I simply don't understand the complexities of money used in a medical context...
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Hawaii healthcare system is a mess, but it is still better than many other States!
This is worth reading.
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/informatio...ou/hi.html
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We'll have to see how it plays out, but in theory once Obamacare kicks in later this year, we'll have access to an online Health Insurance Exchange which, again in theory, may offer lower cost options than what HMSA provides now.
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Apparently contract for creation of the exchange has been awarded to a Canadian IT company, which is disturbing on multiple levels.
