More Things for More People at Lower Prices

“In addition to his inveterate optimism and sense of urgency, two other qualities epitomized Kaiser. First, he was never satisfied that he and his men were reaching high enough. Kaiser constantly stressed his goal of creating “more things for more people,” to make the quality of life “a little better for the little guy.” A common thread joining most of his enterprises was an objective of producing vast quantities of goods at lower prices. Second, Kaiser’s future vision was breathtaking. Where many of his corporate peers looked a year or two ahead, Kaiser’s vision was measured in decades.”

“the nation’s doctors delivered “the best medical care in the world.” Unfortunately, only the very wealthy could afford it; and the federal government underwrote care for some of the indigent. Middle-income Americans faced economic disaster in the wake of serious illness. Huntley did not blame the AMA alone, but he stressed that its leaders opposed most prepaid plans for allegedly “promoting socialized medicine.” Huntley quoted Garfield on his chief philosophical difference from the AMA: “To the private physician, a sick person is an asset. To Permanente, a sick person is a liability. We’d go bankrupt if we didn’t keep most of our members and their families well most of the time.” 27 Huntley clearly sided with Garfield and Associates.”