a co-op , '' said patient Norman Nistler . The co-op was able to save millions , officials note , by switching to generic drugs and cutting tobacco use among its members by double the Minnesota state average because doctors help patients to quit . Darla Andrews , a patient at the co-op , said she and her doctor have easy access to her records . `` It 's all digital , so it works out good for me . It 's more convenient . '' Dr. Eric Seaver , who works at Group Health . `` We can communicate with patients through secure e-mail for routine questions or concerns that in the private world physicians often are n't able or wo n't do because there 's just no motivation to do that . There 's no reimbursement . ... Here with Group Health 's model , it 's all about providing patients the care that they need when they need it in a form that works best for them . '' Group Health lists Microsoft and Starbucks as organizations that use its system . `` I have great contact with the doctors , '' said Group Health member Dave
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Some of the strongest support for health care cooperatives ' place in the national effort to reform the nation 's health care system comes from those who experience a co-op 's care every day : doctors and patients . Co-op patient Norman Nistler says he did n't even realize he was a part of a health care co-op . Co-ops are non-profit organizations , so any money that is earned goes back to be used on patients and other costs . Patients also elect a governing board , which is in stark contrast to operations under private health insurance plan . Proponents point to two co-ops as evidence they are an alternative in the health care reform debate : HealthPartners in Minneapolis , Minnesota , and Group Health Cooperative in Seattle , Washington . HealthPartners has been in business for half a century and served more than a million people in Minnesota and Wisconsin . Some decades-long members said they did n't know they were with a co-op . `` I watch a lot of it on television now . There 's a lot of talking about co-ops , but I did n't realize this was