I am writing to share some perspective on the recent news of Kaiser Permanente’s agreement to acquire Group Health. As a Group Health physician who has provided community care in the South Puget Sound area for several years, I wholeheartedly support this acquisition.

Providing care in our community’s clinics I have gained great respect and admiration for community health. Community health is often on the front lines of health care delivery, confronting challenging underlying issues including poverty, drug addiction, and behavioral health.

Through the acquisition agreement Kaiser Permanente has committed $1.8 billion toward a Group Health Community Foundation for all Washington residents. It will continue the Group Health mission and legacy of affordable, accessible care by providing grants and improving community health throughout the state.

As a nonprofit, Kaiser Permanente is also dedicated to improving community health. They have pledged to invest another $1.8 billion over the next decade with $1 billion going to improve clinics and health care delivery, and the other $800 million going to community benefit, including offering Medicaid plans in Washington.

Kaiser Permanente’s financial commitment to our community health is truly substantive and will make a real difference in lives across our state. I urge all eligible Group Health voting members to choose “yes” for our future community health.

Andrew Derksen-Schrock, MD, Federal Way