Kaiser partially blames hospitals for exit in 2 Colorado counties

Kaiser Permanente Colorado, a health insurer and provider, is leaving two of the state's counties due in part to its inability to strike contracts with hospitals, according to Summit Daily.

Kaiser said hospitals in Eagle and Summit counties have been "unreasonably opposed to contracting with us." Kaiser entered the counties four years ago and pledged a 10-year commitment to building contracts with hospitals. Despite the promise, Kaiser will close its two offices in the region Dec. 27.

The Colorado Hospital Association said Kaiser is responsible for any troubles it has faced, not the hospitals. Michael Holton, a spokesperson for Vail (Colo.) Health Hospital, told Summit Daily the hospital was surprised to hear the news.

Kaiser's population in Summit and Eagle counties is 4,400. That represents less than 5 percent of the area's market and less than 1 percent of Kaiser's total membership in Colorado, according to the report.

Read more here.

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