Sutter Health Donates Nearly $740,000 to Improve Community Health Care

Operation Access, The Effort and Perinatal Health Project Benefit

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 2, 2008 – Sutter Health recently made community benefit donations totaling $737,000 to three organizations dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Northern California communities.

Operation Access, an organization that secures and coordinates no-cost surgeries for uninsured residents in the greater Bay Area, will receive $300,000.

The Effort, a Sacramento-based community clinic providing primary care, substance abuse treatment and mental health services for the underserved will receive $262,000.

Receiving $175,000 will be the Perinatal Health Project, an innovative program to improve prenatal outcomes in disadvantaged Northern California communities by increasing birth weights and ultimately decreasing infant mortality for minority women.

“Operation Access, The Effort and the Perinatal Health Project have proven track records in improving access to care and addressing identified community needs,” said Pat Fry, Sutter Health President and CEO. “We are proud to further invest in these and other programs to improve clinical outcomes, enhance patient safety and expand vital services to community members in 10 Northern California counties.”

Sutter Health’s grants are part of a multi-million-dollar commitment by the health care system to further pass along savings from tax-exempt bonds to health care consumers. As part of its 2007 application to the State Treasurer and the California Health Facilities Financing Authority for nearly $1 billion in tax-exempt bond financing earlier last year, Sutter Health committed to investing an additional $4.5 million over six years to help support community clinics in Northern California.

“Sutter Health hospitals and physicians have donated vital services to Operation Access for the past eight years,” said Benjamin Aune, Operation Access CEO. “This grant from Sutter Health will help us meet the growing need of our uninsured community members for life-changing surgical services.”

In identifying the recipient community organizations, Sutter Health engaged in numerous conversations with community clinic representatives, local community benefit professionals and foundation representatives within the Sutter Health network who are experienced in funding community projects and organizations.

The Sutter Health network has a longstanding commitment to enhancing the health of communities throughout Northern California. During 2006, Sutter increased its investment in providing care and services for the poor and underserved and benefits for the broader community to $483 million.