Santa Clara County Doctors: The protracted feud between Santa Clara County and its medical practitioners seems to have reached a resolution.
Santa Clara County has resolved an unfair labor practice charge with Valley Physicians Group, a union representing over 450 doctors within the county’s health system. The grievance stemmed from threatening letters directed at unionized doctors who were considering striking due to stalled contracts and challenging working conditions. The settlement includes the county retracting the intimidating statements made by its executives and mandating training on California labor law.
Rachel Ruiz, chair of Valley Physicians Group and a pediatric gastroenterologist at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, conveyed that the crux of the settlement lies in the county acknowledging its wrongdoing in intimidating the doctors. This acknowledgment necessitates the retraction of hostile letters sent by Jeff Smith, the former county executive, Chief Medical Officer Phuong Nguyen, and Paul Lorenz, CEO of Santa Clara Health & Hospital System.
“Emerging from the post-Smith era, I believe the settlement is a victory for both sides,” Ruiz stated. “We aim to move forward while making it clear that we will vocalize our commitment to our protected rights and stand against intimidation.”
Smith, who oversaw the dispute involving the emergency department doctors, had a controversial tenure during his 13-year incumbency. Physicians and other staff at VMC characterized him as being insensitive to their needs.
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Lorenz’s spokesperson directed inquiries to the county executive’s office.
James Williams, the county executive who succeeded Smith in July, expressed his desire to collaborate closely with the county’s unionized doctors to enhance the public health system’s financial stability and further expand the quality and accessibility of services. “The settlement is part of moving forward in a positive direction,” Williams stated. “The issues that were present in the past are no longer relevant today and, hopefully, won’t be in the future.”
Last October, the county reached an agreement with Valley Physicians Group just days before its unionized doctors were planning to strike. The contract included standardized pay increases, an improvement for doctors who had been on the front lines during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there remains work to be done.
“We are a safety net hospital system,” Ruiz emphasized. “We seek fair wages and the ability to advocate for our patients to improve their access to care. These are goals we are still pursuing.”
In March, emergency department doctors achieved another victory when the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors approved a new, five-year management contract with San Jose-based Emergency Physicians Associates Management Corporation. The doctors at VMC had opposed renewing their existing contract with US Acute Care Solutions, alleging that the company prioritized profits over patient care.
Ruiz highlighted that certain departments are not accepting new patients, citing staffing shortages or “cultural” issues as possible factors. She hopes for collaboration between the county and doctors to address this situation.
“Physicians leave regularly,” Ruiz noted. “Why are they departing, and how can we enhance the efficiency of clinics and hospitals? With James Williams, we hope to be part of the solution.”
Our Reader’s Queries
How can I find out if someone is a real doctor?
To begin your search for a certified doctor, check out the ABMS or ABPS certification websites. These sites provide information on a doctor’s current membership status and the state board they are certified by. It’s a great way to ensure you’re choosing a qualified and certified medical professional.
Does Kaiser accept Santa Clara family health plan?
Effective January 1, 2024, Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) will no longer have Kaiser Permanente (Kaiser) as a contracted provider network. However, SCFHP members who are currently enrolled in the Kaiser network need not worry as they will automatically remain with Kaiser without any action required on their part.
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Enroll today by calling our Customer Service team at 1-800-260-2055 (TTY: 711) between 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Alternatively, you can access the SCFHP Medi-Cal Member Handbook in Forms & Documents. Our team is always ready to assist you with any queries you may have.