Kaiser Permanente Information
Created in 1945 in California, Kaiser Permanente is one of the nation's largest nonprofit health-care organizations.
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Fast Facts
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With locations scattered across the continental U.S., Kaiser provides services and programs to more than 8.6 million customers. Kaiser boasts a large network, with 431 medical offices, 14,600 physicians and 167,300 employees. In 2008, the organization reported its operating revenue at $40.3 billion, an increase of $2.2 billion from the previous year.
History
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In the midst of the Great Depression, Kaiser Permanente was created by Sidney Garfield, a doctor who saw that many workers needed medical care but didn't have any insurance to cover these treatments and procedures. According to Kaiser Permanente, Dr. Garfield "turned (an) existing run-down hospital into a state-of-the-art treatment facility and recruited a team of doctors to work in a 'prepaid group practice.' The method again was a smashing success and a big hit with the workers and their families." Ultimately, World War II and the demand for ship workers helped the organization get started, due to the influx of workers who needed medical coverage.
Organization
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Kaiser Permanente is comprised of three different groups: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc; Kaiser Foundation Hospitals and their subsidiaries; and the Permanente Medical Groups. Each group works together to provide the medical care and coverage for its members. The organization has a national leadership team with 10 top-ranking officials, including CEO and Chairman George C. Halvorson, nine medical directors who represent the employed medical professionals, and eight regional presidents who oversee the organization's eight regional branches.
Services and Programs
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Chairman and CEO Halvorson and Permanent Federation Executive Director John H. Cochran state that Kaiser Permanent is dedicated to "improving the health of our communities through sharing our knowledge and assets, strengthening our safety-net partners, promoting policies and environmental changes that promote healthy eating and active living, providing care and coverage for low-income individuals, and working toward the elimination of disparities in health care." A leader in research and development, Kaiser Permanente studies numerous diseases and illnesses through its Sydney R. Garfield Health Care Innovation Center.
Accolades
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According to Kaiser's annual report, the organization was ranked highest member satisfaction among commercial health plans in California by the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 National Health Insurance Plan StudySM, which measures member satisfaction.
Community Service
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Kaiser Permanente dedicated $1.17 billion in 2008 to developing sustainable activities within its communities. Their Healthy Eating Active Living program reached 39 communities, spreading the word with advertising and public relations about the importance of whole foods and exercise. Also, the organization is actively involved in the Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts.
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