[nfbwatlk] Fwd: Group Health Important News

Sat Dec 5 19:41:34 UTC 2015

Thanks Mark, this information is important. 

Becky 
Butterfly Knitting

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Adreon,
Mark (DSB) via nfbwatlk
Sent: Saturday, December 05, 2015 11:25 AM
To: NFB of Washington Talk Mailing List <nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Adreon, Mark (DSB) <mark.adreon at dsb.wa.gov>
Subject: [nfbwatlk] Fwd: Group Health Important News

FYI

Mark Adreon
Program Partnership and Development Specialist

206. 906. 5502
Cell 206.947.8479
Toll Free 1.800.552.7103

Begin forwarded message:

From: "McNamee, Jane" <mcnamee.m at ghc.org<mailto:mcnamee.m at ghc.org>>
Date: December 5, 2015 at 7:26:29 AM PST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Group Health Important News

Dear Leadership Advisory Group members,

I wanted to share some important news. Group Health announced yesterday that
we have signed an agreement to be acquired by Kaiser Permanente.  It's no
secret that the health care industry is changing more dramatically and more
quickly than ever before. That's why over the last months we engaged in a
thorough assessment of our options, including remaining independent, to
determine the course that would enable us to best serve our members,
patients into the future.

Through careful consideration and a competitive process with a number of
highly regarded suitors, the board unanimously supported joining Kaiser our
strongest way forward.  We will be a new, eighth region of Kaiser, locally
operated and with the same great local care and service - supported by
substantial new resources, capabilities, and investments - in clinics, IT
systems, and more - for members and patients, and for the community.

You may ask why Kaiser? Kaiser is one of America's foremost non-profit
health care organizations, providing health insurance and top-rated care to
approximately 10 million members in eight states. They share Group Health's
values and care philosophy that focuses on total health.  They have
committed to long-term investments in care and coverage here in Washington,
with investments in infrastructure, buildings, technology, and equipment to
ensure the delivery of high-quality care and coverage. And in addition to
the member benefits, the proceeds from this acquisition-$1.8 billion-will be
used to create a new nonprofit foundation to continue Group Health's purpose
in the community.  This new "Group Health Community Foundation" will be the
largest of its kind in the state, focused on improving health for all by
listening and responding directly to the needs of Washington's families and
communities.

It's important to know that nothing changes right away.  The acquisition is
subject to the approval of government regulators and Group Health's voting
membership. This process may take up to a year or more, and will be followed
by a transition. We are going to have town hall meetings for members
starting next week - hope you will join us - and there will be more
information online via GHC.org<http://GHC.org>.

We greatly value your involvement in our governance process and as a
leadership advisory group volunteer; your feedback has been extremely
helpful to the organization. We will continue to have the Leadership
Advisory Groups next year and look forward to your participation.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Jane McNamee | GOVERNANCE PARTNER
Governance Services, Group Health Cooperative PHONE 206-448-5791 | CDS
320-5791 | Toll Free 1-800-252-3305, ext. 24 E-MAIL
mcnamee.m at ghc.org<mailto:mcnamee.m at ghc.org>
www.ghc.org<http://www.ghc.org>
320 Westlake Ave N, Suite 100, GHQ E4N
Seattle, WA  98109

________________________________

GHC Confidentiality Statement

This message and any attached files might contain confidential information
protected by federal and state law. The information is intended only for the
use of the individual(s) or entities originally named as addressees. The
improper disclosure of such information may be subject to civil or criminal
penalties. If this message reached you in error, please contact the sender
and destroy this message. Disclosing, copying, forwarding, or distributing
the information by unauthorized individuals or entities is strictly
prohibited by law.
_______________________________________________
nfbwatlk mailing list
nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
nfbwatlk:
http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nfbwatlk_nfbnet.org/b.butterfly%40comcast.
net