HMO System for Health Care

* Re “HMOs Fight the Sick Instead of the Sickness,” Commentary, June 15: There are some industry-wide problems inherent in the HMO system but none that are anywhere near as critical as those cited by Suzanne Gordon. Most HMO patients are satisfied with their coverage, and these consumers have become acutely aware of the methods they need to use to get the care they wish.

The only places in the world where true rationing of health care occurs is in the socialized-medicine countries Gordon wants us all to be forced into. There is only one country with superior diagnostics, medicines and physicians: the U.S. We are also the only country in the world that spends real money on developing those technologies and medicines. When you have seen the socialized health system in Europe as I have, you realize this immediately.

JEFFREY MILES

Venice

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As a physician who joined with MedPartners and now works with KPC Medical Group, I found “Giant Medical Group Is Back in Crisis Mode” (June 13) to be quite informative. According to California Medical Assn. estimates, roughly 85% of California’s medical groups are in similar dire straits.

KPC is not publicly held on Wall Street and has no investors to contend with. KPC consolidated neighboring clinics and trimmed thousands of employees. Our budgets are lean and mean--yet profitability remains elusive. It’s high time we consider how any medical groups can survive so long as health plans (most of which are publicly held) pocket roughly 15% to 20% of each dollar and force the medical groups to bear the financial burden of performing patient care with whatever remains.

KENNETH S. ALPERN MD

Torrance

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The Supreme Court’s June 12 ruling on HMOs is a blatant, inhumane statement that profits come before people. The court stated that the very purpose of an HMO is to hold down costs by “rationing” medical care. I say this is immoral. The time is now for the U.S. to establish a universal health care system. Every candidate running for president or Congress must be put on record on how he/she stands on this issue.

SOL LONDE MD

Reseda