HMO Taxes, Satisfaction

Re “City Council Cuts Taxes for HMOs,” Dec. 10: As both a taxpayer and a physician, I disagree with the Los Angeles City Council’s recent decision to succumb to the local HMOs’ ultimatum to further lower their taxes or they will leave town. By lowering payments to physicians, hospitals and other health care providers, limiting patients’ access to medical resources and encouraging a gradual diminution of quality health care, HMOs have increased their own corporate profits and executive salaries to obscene levels.

When the City Council lowered the annual tax liability of the five HMOs in Los Angeles from $25 million to $7 million, it gave in to the HMOs’ extortion demands, thereby risking financial as well as moral bankruptcy.

IRVIN D. GODOFSKY MD

Marina del Rey

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Your Dec. 8 editorial, “Lesson for HMOs: Time With Patients Is Profitable,” was timely, since statistics say 42% of HMO patients are dissatisfied with the quality of care.

I think it’s business as usual and I truly believe the insurance companies are in complete control of the situation. Sadly enough, I also believe the real problem lies with our American concepts and culture that allow selfishness to prevail over concern for one another, and our health is that reflection.

MILFORD C. WALKER

West Covina