Kaiser Permanente Wins National Awards for Commitment to Environmental Health

Practice Greenhealth Recognition Highlights Organization's Green Efforts

OAKLAND, Calif., May 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaiser Permanente received the System
for Change Award, for the second consecutive year, for its leadership in
improving environmental performance in the health care sector. Kaiser
Permanente received the award today from Practice Greenhealth at CleanMed
2009, a global conference for environmental leaders in health care.

The award, which recognizes health systems that have worked to gather
environmental data, set goals, and encourage eco-friendly practices, reflects
Kaiser Permanente's long-standing commitment to protecting the environment.

"Kaiser Permanente recognizes the health of the environment directly affects
individual health. We are constantly working to reduce our collective impact
on the environment and improve the health of the communities we serve," said
Raymond J. Baxter, Ph.D., senior vice president, Community Benefit, Research
and Health Policy.

As a global leader in sustainability, Kaiser Permanente builds greener
facilities, buys non-toxic materials when feasible, and supports sustainable
agriculture. For example, the organization is working with suppliers to
minimize the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in its operations and services.
Recently, Kaiser Permanente made the decision to purchase patient controlled
analgesic pump sets and patient identification bracelets that are completely
free of PVC, which is a major source of dioxin, a known human carcinogen.

"Kaiser Permanente continues to work to find environmentally friendly
alternatives for our members by selecting non-toxic products, working to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and informing public policy," said Kathy
Gerwig, Kaiser Permanente's vice president for workplace safety and
environmental stewardship officer.

Practice Greenhealth is a landmark initiative formed to improve the
environmental performance of the health care industry. "This award is a
reflection of Kaiser Permanente's business ethics and represents a strong
commitment to protect patient health and preserve the environment," said Bob
Jarboe, executive director of Practice Greenhealth.

In addition to the System for Change Award, Kaiser Permanente facilities and
regions across the country received 12 Practice Greenhealth Environmental
Excellence Awards in recognition of efforts to reduce waste and prevent
pollution. The awards include:

-- Partner for Change Award: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Ohio,
Kaiser
Permanente Health Plan of the Mid-Atlantic States, Kaiser Permanente
Fontana (Calif.) Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Fremont (Calif.)
Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Hayward (Calif.) Medical Center,
Kaiser Permanente Antioch (Calif.) Medical Center, and Kaiser
Permanente
Moanalua Medical Center and Clinic in Hawaii.
-- Making Medicine Mercury-Free Award: Kaiser Permanente Hayward (Calif.)
Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Antioch (Calif.) Medical Center

-- Partner Recognition Award: Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Georgia,
Kaiser Permanente Roseville (Calif.) Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente
San Jose (Calif.) Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente San Rafael
(Calif.)
Medical Center, and Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical
Center.

For more information about Kaiser Permanente's commitment to community health,
go to www.kp.org/communitybenefit.

About Practice Greenhealth
Practice Greenhealth is the result of the merger of two leading organizations
- Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E) and the Green Guide for Health
Care (GGHC) - with a new clean energy and energy efficiency program -
Healthcare Clean Energy Exchange (HCEE). For more information on Practice
Greenhealth, healthy initiatives, current trends, news and views, and other
links to earth-friendly organizations, visit www.practicegreenhealth.org.

About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We
are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and
not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide
high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our
members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members
in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is
focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians,
specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are
empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for
health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and
world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care
innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community
health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.

SOURCE Kaiser Permanente

Susannah Patton of Kaiser Permanente, +1-510-421-1479,
susannah.f.patton@kp.org