[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 20 (Wednesday, March 4, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           CONGRATULATIONS ON 50 YEARS OF HEALTH CARE SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 4, 1998

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago, Dr. Sidney Garfield with six 
other physicians forged a pioneering, self-employed medical partnership 
to provide prepaid health care services and preventive health care 
services to the residents of northern California. The group ministered 
to its members' health care needs, both on and off the job.
  Since those doctors began their work, the physicians, nurses and 
employees affiliated with The Permanente Medical Group have improved 
community health by providing medial care, conducting clinical and 
medical research, creating and supporting community health programs, 
bestowing grants and donations, and providing scholarships, education 
and training for medical students and health professionals. I can 
attest personally to the group's lasting community involvement. For 
example, in my district, the staff of The Permanente Medical Group 
volunteers clinical time on Saturday mornings to remove gang-related 
tattoos from at risk youth who want to make positive changes in their 
lives.
  The Permanente Medical Group is now the nation's largest medical 
group, comprised of more than 3,700 physicians, as well as nurses, 
employees and other caregivers. In Northern California alone, they 
provide health care services to more than 2.5 million people. The men 
and women affiliated with the medical group have consistently 
demonstrated their excellence, creativity and care as they have 
provided quality health care to all the people of our communities.
  Through its 50 year affiliation with the Kaiser Permanente Medical 
Care Program, The Permanente Medical Group has demonstrated that 
affordable and high quality medical care can be provided through a 
relationship, both integrated and autonomous, between a non-profit 
health care plan and an independent, self-governing medical group. This 
is a model relationship in which medical decision-making and standard-
setting are safeguarded and conducted by medical professionals. Mr. 
Speaker, I ask you to join me in celebrating the half century of 
remarkable care that Californians have received and wishing The 
Permanenete Medical Group another fifty years of excellence in the 
community.

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