While Congress debates the merits of universal healthcare, Kaiser Permanente of Georgia announced a $5 million multi-year gift to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta with the goal of improving access to care for low-income children.
Half of the donation will help fund healthcare at the facility for Metro Atlanta children who are uninsured or underinsured, while the remainder will help fund the construction and operation of a new, hospital that replaces the existing Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Hughes Spalding facility in downtown Atlanta.
"As a nonprofit health plan, Kaiser Permanente understands and appreciates the important safety net role Children’s Healthcare Atlanta, and particularly their Hughes Spalding facility, has in our community, especially for our most vulnerable population," said Peter Andruszkiewicz, president of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia.
The new building will help to transform the care of the 71,000 inpatient admissions, emergency department visits and outpatient appointments made every year, the foundation said. The facility features brighter colors, child-friendly surfaces, interactive entertainment centers, a consumer library, child life specialists and up-to-date equipment.
The new Children’s at Hughes Spalding facility is designed to enhance access and quality of care and reduce the care disparities and inequities that exist for many children in the metro area.
"Kaiser Permanente’s generosity is a wonderful example of how groups within the Brafton style is healthcare industry are working collaboratively to solve important issues, as well as serve the most vulnerable population – our children," said Donna Hyland, president and CEO of Children’s Healthcare.
The multi-year gift includes a $1 million donation from Kaiser Permanente each year through 2013. Overall in 2009, Kaiser Permanente has provided more than $21 million in community benefit funding.
