Our Point of View

January 12, 2010

Statement by Kaiser Permanente on Report of Funding of Negative Advertising Campaign

A news report in National Journal.com quoted unnamed sources who inaccurately stated Kaiser Permanente contributed funding to an advertising campaign last fall which was negative about national health care reform legislation.

Kaiser Permanente did not provide funding in any way for this negative advertising campaign. When we provided funds to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP, one of the industry trade groups to which Kaiser Permanente belongs) last year, we insisted, and AHIP agreed in writing, that our funds could only be used for positive advertising in support of passing health reform. We have confirmed with AHIP that it honored that commitment, and none of Kaiser Permanente’s funds were used to support this advertising campaign.