As the editorial points out, Kaiser—which began as a prepaid medical group practise in 1946—is a regionalized, integrated healthcare system in which members are ‘locked-in’; that is, they must use Kaiser clinics, Kaiser physicians and other providers, and Kaiser hospitals for their care. A little history may be useful in understanding Kaiser’s unique position in the American healthcare marketpl...

This report was commissioned by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Conclusions or opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

s w l t w r p r p remember when Kaiser Permanente launched its Thrive campaign on television in 2004. As a long time California resident but somewhat shortererm Kaiser Permanente member, it struck e that this behemoth of an organization, stablished by Henry Kaiser in 1945 to are for the workers in his shipyards and teel mills, was now touting in its adverisements that they stood for Pilates, br...