The company's vice president cited uncertainty over Medicare and health care reform.The Los Angeles Times was more specific about who wouldn't be laid off. [Bolding mine.]
But none of the people who lose their jobs will be members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers, which reached an agreement with Kaiser that prevents the company from laying off members of the union.The reason given by the Los Angeles Times for the layoffs:
Concerns about the effects of a competitive healthcare marketplace and the anticipated reductions in federal funding for healthcare were also a factor in the decision to make the cuts, Anderson said.Kaiser Permanent was the largest private employer in Los Angeles County as of April, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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THE REST OF THE STORY A basic google search reveals a lot more than the newspaper reported.
In May, Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO George Halvorson, and other private sector health care leaders met with President Obama to "discuss the need for containing rising health care costs. "
The coalition, which includes Service Employees International Union, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, American Medical Association, Advanced Medical Technology Association, and Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America committed to cutting health care costs by $2 trillion over the next 10 years.If you look up those organizations, you find that Kaiser Permanente Chairman and CEO Halvorson is also on the Board of Directors of America's Health Insurance Plans. Advanced Medical Technology Association lobbying activity can be found here. Their lobbying firm is Gladfelty Government Relations whose client list is on file with the California Secretary of State. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America is also a Gladfelty client. As is America's Health Insurance Plans. Small world, huh?
The Daily Captalist blog's Jeff Harding on the coalition and the deals.
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