[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 127 (Thursday, August 6, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6433-S6434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING INTERMOUNTAIN HEALTHCARE

 Mr. LEE. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to pay 
tribute to one of the country's exemplary organizations, Intermountain 
Healthcare, which this year celebrates 40 years of service to people in 
Utah and the surrounding area. Based in Salt Lake City, Intermountain 
Healthcare has been a longtime provider of top-of-the-line care, as 
well as a leading example among the country's integrated health 
systems.
  Prior to the organization's inception in 1975, the 15 hospitals that 
would become Intermountain Healthcare were administered and operated by 
the

[[Page S6434]]

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After deciding it would 
divest its hospitals, the church yielded its responsibilities to a new, 
secular, not-for-profit organization known as Intermountain Healthcare.
  Since that time, Intermountain Healthcare has grown to include 21 
hospitals across the State of Utah, as well as one in Idaho. In 
addition to its hospitals, Intermountain also includes more than 185 
clinics and 1,400 multi-specialty doctors and advanced-practice 
clinicians. Its not-for-profit health plan, SelectHealth, serves more 
than 750,000 members. Its integrated structure allows Intermountain to 
work with people at all stages of their lives, before and after they 
may require medical care, to optimize health. Intermountain Healthcare 
has been completely dedicated to its mission of ``helping people live 
the healthiest lives possible,'' and for the last 40 years it has 
successfully accomplished that mission.
  Intermountain strives to provide the highest quality care and 
services to all at an affordable cost, at times, even providing care 
for those unable to finance their own medical needs. In 2014, in more 
than 268,000 cases, Intermountain Healthcare donated more than $384 
million in services to those who were unable to pay. In addition, 
Intermountain operates safety net community clinics for people who are 
uninsured or who have low incomes, and it provides financial support to 
30 independent community clinics in the region. These clinics cared for 
people in more than 366,000 visits last year. Among its many other 
community benefits, Intermountain also provided $33 million to support 
medical training programs, residencies, and other health-related 
education. Intermountain Healthcare is a vital leader within the Utah 
community and truly embodies its values of integrity, trust, 
excellence, accountability, and mutual respect that are critical in the 
provision of health care. Led by a volunteer board of trustees who 
donate their time without pay themselves, Intermountain is making a 
huge impact in the world of health care, as well as in the lives of the 
individuals it serves.
  Intermountain Healthcare has for years been recognized as one of the 
leading organizations of its kind. This year Intermountain Healthcare 
had five hospitals included on the Truven Health Analytics annual 100 
Top Hospitals study. There was only one other health system in the U.S. 
that had five hospitals on the list. In 2014, Intermountain was named 
to the InformationWeek Elite 100 rankings, which compiles a list of top 
business technology innovators in the U.S. These are just a few 
examples from the resume of accomplishments and recognition 
Intermountain Healthcare has rightfully earned.
  In addition to the administration of its health services and medical 
group, Intermountain Healthcare provides key emergency transport 
services in its region. In 1978, Intermountain Life Flight made its 
first helicopter patient transport, making it only the seventh air 
medical helicopter service in the United States. Life Flight now owns 
and operates 7 helicopters and 3 fixed-wing aircraft. This operation 
has been crucial to locating, rescuing, and saving patients who are in 
time-sensitive, critical condition.
  The growth, quality, and innovation of Intermountain Healthcare is 
impressive, but what stands out even more is this organization's 
character. It has always sought to follow the highest ethical standard, 
even in cases when legal standards were lower or when transparency may 
have led to embarrassment. One example was its decision to proactively 
notify certain patients of possible exposure to a rare disease, even 
though the risk was very low and the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention said that notification was not required. Another example was 
its decision to voluntarily self-disclose potential compliance issues 
with a Federal law to the U.S. attorney, even though it exposed itself 
to significant penalties. Intermountain is an organization that always 
takes the high road, seeks to do the right thing, and raises the bar 
for ethical behavior.
  When I look at Intermountain Healthcare, I see an example to the 
country of what it means to serve. I see health care providers who make 
people a priority rather than profit. I see an organization that values 
honesty and ethical conduct with its patients, its peers, and the 
government. We in Utah are blessed by such a high standard of conduct. 
May we all follow this example as we fulfill our duty to honorably 
serve our fellow citizens and contribute to our community.
  Please join me in commending Intermountain Healthcare on the 
leadership it has demonstrated and the positive influence it has had on 
American health care in its first 40 years of service.

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