A battle for better healthcare has erupted at USC, with nurses standing strong and demanding change. The situation is dire, and the consequences are far-reaching.
Nurses, the unsung heroes, are fighting for their right to quality healthcare.
After months of negotiations, unionized nurses from Keck Hospital and Norris Cancer Center took to the streets, rallying at the iconic Tommy Trojan statue. Their message was clear: they wanted President Beong-Soo Kim and USC administrators to hear their concerns about proposed changes to their healthcare plans.
"We are the nurses, the mighty, mighty nurses, fighting for our healthcare!" they chanted, their voices echoing through campus.
More than 2,000 nurses joined the strike, a bold move to highlight the issues at hand. The strike, which began on February 19th, is a powerful statement against USC's proposal to "restructure employee healthcare plans." The nurses plan to continue their strike until February 26th, a strong stand for their rights.
But here's where it gets controversial... The proposed changes will push nurses towards USC providers, which the nurses warn could overload an already strained network. Longer wait times and delayed care are a real concern, not just for employees but also for existing patients.
The EPO Select plan, negotiated by nurses in 2021, was a free, premium insurance option. However, this year, the HMO has been restructured, and nurses are no longer offered the comprehensive Anthem HMO plan. Instead, they are being directed towards the USC EPO, with limited access to top-tier hospitals in the area.
"If people choose a Tier 1 provider, they might save some money, but many nurses have lost access to their trusted healthcare providers," explained Dr. Sarah Van Orman, USC's Chief Campus Health Officer.
Kerri Dodgens, an ICU nurse and union representative, shared her concerns. "Our system is already broken. Patients are leaving because wait times are too long. It's impossible to make an appointment, and it's a frustrating process," she said.
The nurses attempted to speak with President Kim but were told he was unavailable. Undeterred, they chanted, "We'll be back!" before returning to their strike location at Keck Hospital.
Union representatives allege that the university has been bargaining in bad faith since negotiations began in September. Rudy Cuellar, a veteran nurse at Keck, said, "They are using healthcare as leverage against their own nurses. It's unfortunate."
Keck Medicine's response to the strike was one of disappointment, stating, "While we respect the union's right to strike, we are disappointed by their decision."
The university claims a tentative agreement was reached in November 2025, including wage increases and a no-premium health plan. However, this agreement was not ratified.
For many nurses, the loss of the free HMO plan is a significant blow. Cuellar shared that he and his family would have to pay over $14,000 a year to access the necessary physicians through a PPO plan.
Valerie Hernandez, a telemetry nurse, no longer has access to her longtime physicians. "We're losing access to our providers and pediatricians for our kids. Now, we have to choose between a restricted EPO plan or an expensive PPO to regain access," she said.
Nurses are concerned about the shift to the Keck system, especially given its current strain. Dodgens has witnessed firsthand the difficulties patients face in accessing Keck providers.
"The women's healthcare and pediatric facilities are not equipped to handle the influx of new patients. There are only two gynecologists for the entire USC community, which is unacceptable," she added.
Eugena Vergara, a single mother and nurse, shared similar experiences with the Trojan EPO plan. "It takes forever to get appointments, and by the time you get there, the physician has left or canceled. We don't feel the hospital is ready for this," she said.
Gabriela Morales Ortega, a Keck operating room nurse, shared a personal story. "I care about my kids. Their pediatric care is through Huntington, and I love their doctors. Trying to start over is frustrating, especially when PPO is not an option for many nurses like me," she explained.
The emotional and financial toll on nurses is evident. Vergara, a single mother, cannot afford to switch to PPO without risking her ability to pay rent. "You feel helpless. We dedicate ourselves to our patients, and then the facility we work for lets us down," she said.
This battle for better healthcare is a complex issue, and it's time for a change. What do you think? Should USC address these concerns, or is there another perspective to consider? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
