In 2024, the Phoenix-based Banner Health brought in a revenue of $10.8 billion, with $9.31 billion in expenses across operations in six states. Lea, Watkins, and other physicians ramped up their organizing efforts and called an election after more than 30% of Banner Health physicians signed union authorization cards. In late July, NLRB officials mailed ballots to the Valley’s Banner Health physicians in the Phoenix metro area. Banner Health did not respond to New Times’ request to comment, but they’ve pushed back against the unionizing effort online. In Lea’s manager evaluation, which she shared with New Times, Banner Health leadership characterized Lea’s message as “uncomfortable” and said it “misaligned with Banner’s values.”