SEATTLE, Aug. 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente
Washington joins today with families throughout our region as it
launches a statewide, long-term commitment in creating healthier
communities.
"We promised our members that Kaiser Permanente would bring our
world-class approach to care to all Washingtonians and invest in
our people, our care delivery and our community," said Susan
Mullaney, president, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington. "We refer to our approach as Total
Health – including body, mind and spirit.
"Total health happens where we live, work, learn and play.
That's why we're investing in healthy and sustainable communities
to address the building blocks for health. That's why we're excited
to be the lead sponsor for Big Day of Play, a celebration of
diversity, and a chance to build relationships and explore ways
families can play and be active together," Mullaney said.
Steve Tarnoff, MD, president, Washington Permanente Medical
Group, said, "The goals of this event align with ours: improving
health outcomes, expanding relationships with underserved
communities, and removing barriers to access, opportunity and
resources."
Presented by the Seattle Parks and Recreation's Get Moving
Initiative, this free community event at Rainer Playfields on
Aug. 19 is just one example of how
Kaiser Permanente is engaging to reach thousands of children and
families.
Among Kaiser Permanente's commitments to creating healthy
communities:
Thriving Schools: In October, working with Seattle
Children's Theatre, Kaiser Permanente will debut a new educational
theater program. Helping young teens address the issue of
bullying is the first topic. The $600,000 investment is expected to reach more
than 20,000 students in King,
Pierce, Kitsap, Snohomish, Spokane and Whitman counties during the 2017–2018 school
year. Additionally, Kaiser Permanente provides more than
$2 million in care for more than
7,500 students through school-based clinics at eight locations and
at Orion Health Center, where we reach another 1,000 homeless and
at-risk youth.
Healthy Eating, Active Living: Beyond the many day-of
offerings at the Big Day of Play, visitors will find a pop-up
fitness area that features an example of exercise equipment being
installed at 10 parks and playgrounds around the state over the
next two years through Kaiser Permanente's collaboration with the
Trust for Public Land and local communities.
Kaiser Permanente is also supporting a pilot of Pause & Play
stations at two bus stops in the Rainier Valley. The installations
are designed to provide an easy outlet for young people to stay
active – even while waiting for the bus.
Access for the underserved and underinsured: While
extending support in other ways, Kaiser Permanente also remains
fully committed to providing care and coverage for many who are
uninsured or underserved. This includes $30
million to serve about 25,000 Medicaid members this year,
and providing about $3 million in
medical financial aid.
And more: "These are just a few examples of how we are
ramping up to do more to address the needs of communities we
serve," Mullaney said. "Kaiser Permanente believes that creating
healthy and sustainable communities requires a wide variety of
community-based strategies as well as the support from a broad
array of contributors, advocates, policy experts, health
practitioners and most importantly, community residents.
"In Washington, our mission includes our 670,000 members
and more than 6 million people across the areas we
serve," said Mullaney.
From increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables to
advancing economic opportunity, from addressing the profound need
for mental health resources to making business choices that respect
our environment, Kaiser Permanente is excited to partner with the
people of Washington to make total
health a reality for all.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is
committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are
recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and
not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has
a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services
and to improve the health of our members and the communities we
serve. We currently serve 11.8 million members in eight states and
the District of Columbia. Care for
members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by
their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and
team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are
empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and
tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art
care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser
Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research,
health education and the support of community health. For more
information, go to: kp.org/share.
Contact:
Jackson
Holtz, Holtz.j@ghc.org
206-448-2728
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kaiser-permanente-washington-lends-its-voice-and-resources-to-support-total-health-for-all-300506779.html
SOURCE Kaiser Permanente