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Kaiser Permanente is rethinking its revolutionary plans to create alliances with other healthcare systems from Northern California to Los Angeles. The Oakland-based healthcare giant has postponed plans to form a [...]

Focuses on the emergence of a rift between unionized registered nurses and hospital administrators over revolutionary staffing changes. Effects of staffing changes on the patient's health; Staffing changes as part of cost-containment efforts of hospitals.

Reports on Kaiser Permanente's policy to exclude newly hired doctors from becoming partners in the health maintenance organization's medical group. Effect of the policy on new doctors; Other cost-saving alternatives proposed by group director Dr. Walter Caulfield; Previous benefits received by doctors who work for Kaiser; Number of physician shareholders.

Reports on prospects for the Cal-Mortgage Loan Guarantee state insurance program which guaranteed tax-exempt bonds for public and nonprofit health entities. Increased hospital bankruptcies; Strict requirements for loan applicants; Hospitals in financial trouble; Cal-Mortgage's financial stability.

Reports on the negotiation for a merger between Mercy Healthcare Sacramento and St. Joseph Health System of Southern California. Effect of the merger on Mercy Healthcare; Number of hospitals and annual revenue of the proposed merger; Steps taken by Catholic Healthcare West, Mercy's parent company, at consolidating its operations.

Reports on the plan of Kaiser Permanente Medical Group in Northern California to remove more than 250 physicians from its list due to costs. Offer of an early retirement program to 460 of the approximately 3,525 members; Planned replacement of the early retirees by primary-care doctors and younger doctors.

Reports on an agreement between Sutter Health Care, Catholic Healthcare West and Kaiser Permanente Medical Group to share and swap some hospitals in California. Terms of the agreement; Kaiser's decision to end its tradition of providing all inpatient care for its members in its own hospitals.

Reports on the plan of Kaiser Permanente Medical Group to link its member physicians into a national federation to be called permCorp. Approval of the company's board of directors; Services to be offered by permCorp.

Reports on the executive changes at Kaiser Permanente. Appointment of Richard Barnaby as chief operating officer; Demotion of David Pockell and Hugh Jones.

Focuses on the growing investments by hospital systems in Northern California in technology. Estimated worth of the technological investments by hospitals; Features of Kaiser Permanente's investments; Comment by Phil Newbold, director of information technology services for Kaiser; Other investments by hospitals.

Reports that San Jose, Calif.-based hospital company Good Samaritan Health System is planning to merge with major healthcare systems. Possible merger with Sacramento-based Sutter Health; Financial difficulties faced by Good Samaritan; Nonprofit healthcare systems being eyed by Good Samaritan; Comments of Chief Executive Officer Michael Guthrie.

Reports that Blue Cross of California has given 500 Calif. hospitals a few weeks to reduce their prices and quantify their quality. Penalties for hospitals which don't comply; Benefits for compliant hospitals; Two-tier classification of hospitals; Criticism of the Blue Cross move.

Reports on the plan of Kaiser Permanente to divide its Northern California operations into eight subregions. Additional operational changes; Reorganization strategies of the company; Expansion plans of the company; Economic impact of the company's reorganization and revamp; Reasons for the reorganization; Promotion of entrepreneurial culture.

Reports on the plan of health maintenance organization Kaiser Permanente to sever its contracts with independent hospitals in favor of forming alliances with others including Mercy Healthcare Sacramento. Reduction of the company's annual external expenses; Deferment or reduction of the salary increases of Permanente Medical Group doctors in Northern California.

Focuses on Bob Bodine's putting up of a teleconferencing system for Kaiser Permanente, a health care company. Broadcasting of educational courses to Kaiser facilities; Sharing of ideas by doctors, nurses and administrators; Savings in travel time and related expenses.

Reports on California Medical Association's consideration of a proposal for forming its own health maintenance organization. Control of physicians' finances; Task force assigned to study the plan.

Reports on the Union of American Physicians and Dentists' efforts to form an independent practice association. Collective clout for bargaining with insurance companies and employers; Focus on the Sacramento, California area; Membership.

Reports that health maintenance organization (HMO) rates are expected to increase in Northern California next year. First half of 1997 to see rise in commercial prices; Expected range of percentage increases; HMOs suffering from losses due to lowering of rates.