07-10-2007, 08:44 AM
Kaiser is not truly a non-profit. Parts of it are, and indeed, the overall system is a for profit business.
via Wikipedia:
"Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care organization, based in Oakland, California, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. Kaiser Permanente is a consortium of three distinct groups of entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and its regional operating organizations, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the Permanente Medical Groups.
As of 2006, Kaiser Permanente operates in nine states and Washington, D.C., and is the largest not-for-profit managed care organization in the United States. Kaiser Permanente has 8.5 million health plan members, 148,884 employees, 12,879 physicians, 37 medical centers, 400 medical offices, and $31.1 billion in annual operating revenues. The Health Plan and Hospitals operate under state and federal not-for-profit tax status, while the Medical Groups operate as for-profit partnerships or professional corporations in their respective regions."
I imagine it's similar for other HMOS.
As far as averages as regards to other countries, if you figure in that 46 million Americans don't have health insurance and therefore wait an eternity to see a specialist, that makes US averages vs. other countries where everyone has coverage an apples and oranges comparison.
Fortunately Hawaii has it better than most states, with employers of a certain size having to cover those who work over 20 hours per week.
Also see this link to see how much profit they are making:
http://www.kaiserpapershawaii.org/kaiserwatch.htm
Edited by - robguz on 07/10/2007 12:49:20
via Wikipedia:
"Kaiser Permanente is an integrated managed care organization, based in Oakland, California, founded in 1945 by industrialist Henry J. Kaiser and physician Sidney R. Garfield. Kaiser Permanente is a consortium of three distinct groups of entities: the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and its regional operating organizations, Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, and the Permanente Medical Groups.
As of 2006, Kaiser Permanente operates in nine states and Washington, D.C., and is the largest not-for-profit managed care organization in the United States. Kaiser Permanente has 8.5 million health plan members, 148,884 employees, 12,879 physicians, 37 medical centers, 400 medical offices, and $31.1 billion in annual operating revenues. The Health Plan and Hospitals operate under state and federal not-for-profit tax status, while the Medical Groups operate as for-profit partnerships or professional corporations in their respective regions."
I imagine it's similar for other HMOS.
As far as averages as regards to other countries, if you figure in that 46 million Americans don't have health insurance and therefore wait an eternity to see a specialist, that makes US averages vs. other countries where everyone has coverage an apples and oranges comparison.
Fortunately Hawaii has it better than most states, with employers of a certain size having to cover those who work over 20 hours per week.
Also see this link to see how much profit they are making:
http://www.kaiserpapershawaii.org/kaiserwatch.htm
Edited by - robguz on 07/10/2007 12:49:20