[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 25, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1373-E1374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PERMANENTE 
                             MEDICAL GROUP

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 25, 2013

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th 
anniversary of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (SCPMG) 
of Kaiser Permanente.
  The origins of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group began 
in 1942 when industrialist Henry J. Kaiser asked Dr. Sidney Garfield to 
establish a health care plan for workers at the Kaiser steel mill in 
Fontana, California. In 1945, the health organization opened enrollment 
to other residents of the Fontana area. A few years later, at the 
invitation of the International Longshoremen and Warehousemen unions 
and the Retail Clerks Union Local 770, services were brought to the Los 
Angeles Harbor area. In 1953, the Southern California Permanente 
Medical Group's partnership was officially formed.
  The Southern California Permanente Medical Group is an exclusive 
partner with the Kaiser Permanente health plan. From its modest 
beginnings more than 60 years ago, the Southern California Permanente 
Medical Group has grown to meet the changing economy and communities of 
Southern California. Today, approximately 7,000 SCPMG physicians care 
for more than 3.6 million Kaiser Permanente members in Southern 
California. These physicians proudly serve diverse communities speaking 
over 100 languages with culturally responsive care. SCMPG supports 
community partners through initiatives that reduce health care 
disparities and promote healthy eating. SCPMG physicians additionally 
contribute to the health of area residents through their personal 
volunteer work in local community clinics.
  The Southern California Permanente Medical Group's presence can be 
noticed throughout Southern California's health care system. SCPMG 
physicians serve on the faculty of area medical schools and mentor 
graduate medical residents who train in Kaiser Foundation Hospitals' 
Graduate Medical Education rotations. The Association of American 
Medical

[[Page E1374]]

Colleges' most recent data revealed that the residency programs 
supervised by SCPMG physicians trained the second largest number of 
primary care physicians in the United States from 2006 to 2008. SCPMG 
physicians contribute to the development and dissemination of medical 
knowledge through their research and clinical trials. The Kaiser 
Permanente Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation, 
where SCPMG physicians carry out much of their research, received over 
$36 million in research grants in 2011. That research may someday open 
the door to a cure for cancer or the prevention of birth defects. And, 
the SCPMG has been a leader in the use of technology, such as adopting 
electronic health records, to improve care, promote efficiency and 
prevent medical errors.
  I salute the Southern California Permanente Medical Group on the 
occasion of its 60th anniversary, and I wish it continued success in 
its ongoing effort to serve the residents of Southern California with 
high quality, affordable and innovative care.

                          ____________________