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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Charitable Giving
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Article Content
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| The Governor's State Employees' Food Drive |
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In these tough economic times, it's important to note that charitable contributions by OEBB carriers have no effect on insurance premiums. Below, each carrier has addressed this potential concern in their own words:
| ODS |
ODS provides a wide range of insurance, business and financial services to clients throughout Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska. All charitable contributions made by ODS, including those to the Oregon Governor’s Food Drive, are distributed through our companywide Corporate Giving program. There is zerocorrelation between healthcare premiums and charitable funds.
The involvement of our employees in their community is based on curing and caring, on helping people get well sooner and live well longer. We also invest financially in the communities we serve, partnering with nonprofit organizations in ways that help make our communities stronger, healthier and happier.
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| Providence |
Q: I saw Providence gave money to the food bank. Why do that instead of giving us a break on our premium?
A: As a not-for-profit organization, Providence seeks to support organizations that are contributing to the health and well-being of our communities. Providence believes this investment has an additional benefit: helping to control the costs of health care overall.
Q: How do they figure that?
A: People who lack the basic needs of life, such as food and shelter, are more likely to get sick and more likely to wind up in an emergency room. Emergency care is the more expensive care in the health care system. So, making investments that help keep people healthy helps reduce the cost of health care and health insurance for everyone.
Q: Well, how much money does Providence give away?
A: Providence invests in the community in a variety of ways. The largest expense comes in providing free or reduced-cost health care to people in the greatest need. In addition, Providence sets aside about five percent of its net income to support worthy organizations in the community that help keep people healthy. The primary focus areas for Providence include shelter, food, behavioral health services, services for the frail and elderly, access to primary care and other basic needs. Again, Providence believes that investing in the health of needy people in the community helps reduce the cost of care for everyone.
Q: But couldn’t this money have been used to lower our premiums?
A: No. This commitment to the needy is an important part of Providence’s overall business plan.
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| Kaiser Permanente |
Kaiser Permanente has a long, proud history of social benefit aimed at community health improvement, disease prevention, reduction of health disparities and the development and dissemination of evidence-based medicine. In fact, community benefit is a central part of our mission.
As a non-profit organization, we dedicate our assets to public and charitable purposes, which include charity care but extend well beyond our clinics and hospitals. In 2009, Kaiser Permanente Northwest spent over $100 million dollars, or more than 3.3% of our total revenues to our community benefit work. Each year, our board of directors develops priorities that are responsive to the evolving needs of our communities, including a commitment to address basic needs like hunger.
Kaiser Permanente has a long standing relationship with the Oregon Food Bank and are honored to help sponsor the 2011 Oregon Governor's State Employees Food Drive.
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| Willamette Dental |
Willamette Dental has pledged a contribution to the Governor’s Food Drive in the amount of $1,000. In an effort to partner with and provide assistance to those in our community, Willamette Dental designates funds each year for allocation to various charitable organizations. These funds are separate from the administrative or provider expenses incurred by PEBB and OEBB members and do not contribute towards the cost of insurance premium. Charitable contributions are not included in the cost of care and are not considered when formulating premium rates.
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If you have not yet taken the web tour, please click your carrier's link below and do so now. It's a simple step that can mean the difference between health and illness for someone hungry near you. The last day to contribute to this worthy cause is February 28, 2011. Thank you.
ODS Providence Kaiser Permanente Willamette Dental
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