I am writing to offer some perspective on Group Health’s recent acquisition agreement with Kaiser Permanente. As a Group Health physician who has provided care in our Eastside clinics for nearly 10 years, I would like to share how this agreement will improve health care for my patients.

As a physician, I’m keenly aware of the increasingly complex and costly health care market. Every day my patients are impacted by rapidly rising drug costs, expensive technology and needed facilities upgrades. At Group Health, our mission is to provide the best possible care at affordable prices, but rising costs increasingly challenge our best efforts.

Kaiser Permanente will provide Group Health stability to confront these costs and continue delivering quality, affordable care. As a larger, culturally similar organization, Kaiser has pledged to invest $1 billion over a decade into Group Health, enabling our members to benefit from a like-minded partner and better resourced care teams.

Members will also benefit from our shared focus on evidence-based, coordinated, multi-specialty care that is proven nationally and regionally to provide the best patient outcomes. Kaiser’s acquisition of Group Health will keep alive our successful care model and amplify it throughout Washington.

Group Health faces an increasingly challenging future. With Kaiser Permanente as our partner, we will gain needed investment and stability benefiting our patients, members and our state. I encourage all eligible Group Health voting members to choose “yes” for a stronger, more promising future.

Sarah Rudnick, MD

Bellevue